Mark Williams is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter and presenter. He is best known as one of the stars of the popular BBC sketch show The Fast Show

The Fast Show

The Fast Show, known as Brilliant in the US, was a BBC comedy sketch show programme that ran for three series from 1994 to 1997 with a special Last Fast Show Ever in 2000. The show's central performers were Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and...

, as well as for his role as Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films.

Life and career

Williams was born in Bromsgrove

Bromsgrove

Bromsgrove is a town in Worcestershire, England. The town is about north east of Worcester and south west of Birmingham city centre. It had a population of 29,237 in 2001 with a small ethnic minority and is in Bromsgrove District.- History :Bromsgrove is first documented in the early 9th century...

. In 2007, Williams appeared in the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman

Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...

's Stardust alongside Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Marie Pfeiffer is an American actress. She made her film debut in 1980 in The Hollywood Knights, but first garnered mainstream attention with her performance in Brian De Palma's Scarface . Pfeiffer has won numerous awards for her work...

, Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...

 and Claire Danes

Claire Danes

Claire Catherine Danes is an American actress of television, stage and film. She has appeared in roles as diverse as Angela Chase in My So-Called Life, as Juliet in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, as Kate Brewster in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, as Yvaine in Stardust and as Temple Grandin in...

.

Williams has also presented several documentary programmes: Mark Williams' Big Bangs on the history of explosives, a follow-up to previous series Mark Williams on the Rails, Industrial Revelations and More Industrial Revelations.

He is a supporter of both Aston Villa

Aston Villa F.C.

Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...

 and Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....

 football clubs.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1982	Privileged Privileged (1982 film) Privileged is a 1982 film, the first theatrical release from the Oxford Film Foundation and was Hugh Grant's screen debut playing Lord Adrian...	Wilf
1987	Out of Order	PC
1988	High Season High Season (film) High Season is a 1987 British romantic comedy film directed by Clare Peploe. It is a comedy about tourism, set on the Greek island of Rhodes; vacationers from rich countries taking over the most spectacular scenery at the most desirable times of the year. There are nine principal characters, a...	Benny
1994	Prince of Jutland	Aslak
1995	The Borrowers	Pest fighter
1996	101 Dalmatians	Horace
1997	The Borrowers The Borrowers (1997 film) The Borrowers is a 1997 film based on the children's novel of the same name by author Mary Norton. In 1998 it was nominated for the title of Best British Film in the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards, but lost to Gary Oldman's Nil by Mouth...	Exterminator Jeff
1998	Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love is a 1998 British-American comedy film directed by John Madden and written by Marc Norman and playwright Tom Stoppard....	Wabash
1999	Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? is a film written by Ben Steiner, directed by Peter Hewitt and released in 1999. The British movie was filmed in Sheffield....	Roland Thornton
2000	High Heels and Low Lifes High Heels and Low Lifes High Heels and Low Lifes is a 2001 action comedy-drama film starring Minnie Driver, Mary McCormack, Kevin McNally, Mark Williams, Danny Dyer and Michael Gambon. It was directed by Mel Smith and written by Kim Fuller and Georgia Pritchett...	Tremaine
2002	Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a 2002 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the second instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman...	Arthur Weasley
2002	Anita and Me Anita and Me (film) Anita and Me is a British comedy-drama film released in 2002 based on the book Anita and Me by Meera Syal. It was released during a period of popularity for British Asian films, alongside films like East Is East, and Bend It Like Beckham....	The Reverend 'Uncle' Alan
2002	The Final Curtain The Final Curtain (2002 film) The Final Curtain is a British film from 2002 directed by Patrick Harkins and starring Peter O'Toole. It tells the story of J. J. Curtis, ageing gameshow host played by O'Toole, who hires novelist Jonathan Stitch to pen his biography, in the hope of sealing his immortality in the hearts and minds...	Declan Farrell
2004	Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London is an English-American action comedy film and the sequel to the 2003 film Agent Cody Banks, and was released in the United States on March 12, 2004. Frankie Muniz was the only major returning star, with Hannah Spearritt now playing the love interest and...	Inspector Crescent
2004	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a 2004 fantasy film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the third instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by Chris Columbus, David Heyman and Mark Radcliffe...	Arthur Weasley
2005	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 2005 fantasy film directed by Mike Newell and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the fourth instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman...	Arthur Weasley
2006	A Cock and Bull Story A Cock and Bull Story A Cock and Bull Story is a 2006 British comedy film directed by Michael Winterbottom...	Ingoldsby
2007	Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a 2007 fantasy film directed by David Yates and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the fifth instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Michael Goldenberg and produced by David Heyman and David Barron...	Arthur Weasley
2007	Stardust	Billy the Innkeeper
2009	Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a 2009 fantasy film directed by David Yates and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the sixth instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman and David Barron...	Arthur Weasley
2010	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1	Arthur Weasley
2010	Flutter Flutter (film) Flutter is an upcoming British independent dark comedy film about gambling, written by Stephen Leslie and directed by Giles Borg currently filming in England...	Raymond
2011	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is a 2011 epic fantasy film directed by David Yates and the second of two films based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the eighth and final instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by David...	Arthur Weasley

Selected television roles

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1988	The Storyteller The Storyteller The StoryTeller is a live-action/puppet television series. It was an American/British co-production which originally aired in 1988 and was created and produced by Jim Henson....	Fearnot's brother	Episode "Fearnot"
	Red Dwarf Red Dwarf Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...	Olaf Petersen	3 Episodes "The End", "Balance of Power" & "Stasis Leak"
	Alexei Sayle's Stuff Alexei Sayle's Stuff Alexei Sayle's Stuff is a comedy sketch show which ran on BBC2 for a total of 18 episodes over 3 series from 1988 to 1991.-Cast:Alexei Sayle's Stuff stars stand-up comedian Alexei Sayle, with a recurring cast including Angus Deayton, Mark Williams, Arabella Weir, Tony Millan, Jan Ravens, Owen...		First series, 6 episodes
1989	Tumbledown Tumbledown Tumbledown is a 1988 BBC Television drama film set during the Falklands War.-Synopsis:The film centres on the experiences of Robert Lawrence MC , an officer of the Scots Guards during the Falklands Campaign of 1982. While fighting at the Battle of Mount Tumbledown, Lawrence is shot in the head by...	Lumpy
1990	Kinsey	Danny
	Making Out Making Out Making Out is a British television series, shown by the BBC between 1989 and 1991.The series, written by Debbie Horsfield, mixed comedy and drama in its portrayal of the women who worked on the factory floor at New Lyne Electronics in Manchester, tackling the personal lives of the characters as...	Manfred	Episode #1.2
	KYTV		Episode "Launch"
1991	Merlin of the Crystal Cave	Cerdic
	Bottom Bottom (TV series) Bottom was a British sitcom television series that originally aired on BBC2 between 1991 and 1995. It was written by comic duo Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson who star as Richie and Eddie, two flatmates living on the dole in Hammersmith, London...	Boris	Episode "Accident"
1993	The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer was a BBC TV sketch show written by and starring double act Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer. Its first series appeared in 1993 following the duo's move to the BBC after parting company with Channel 4...	Don Powell	7 episodes 1993–1995
1994	Health and Efficiency	Steven	Episode "Cinderella Rockafeller"
	The Fast Show The Fast Show The Fast Show, known as Brilliant in the US, was a BBC comedy sketch show programme that ran for three series from 1994 to 1997 with a special Last Fast Show Ever in 2000. The show's central performers were Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and...		23 episodes 1994–2000
	Chef! Chef! Chef! is a British situation comedy starring Lenny Henry that aired as twenty episodes over three series from 1993 to 1996 on the BBC. The show was created and primarily written by Peter Tilbury based on an idea from Lenny Henry and produced for the BBC by Henry's production company, Crucial...	Policeman 2	Episode "Masterchef"
1995	The Big Game	Tommy Hollis
	Searching	Gerald
	Peak Practice Peak Practice Peak Practice is a British drama series about a GP surgery in Cardale — a small fictional town in the Derbyshire Peak District — and the doctors who worked there. It ran on ITV from 10 May 1993 to 30 January 2002 and was one of their most successful series at the time...	Roland Grogan	Episode "Life and Soul"
1998	The Fast Show Live The Fast Show The Fast Show, known as Brilliant in the US, was a BBC comedy sketch show programme that ran for three series from 1994 to 1997 with a special Last Fast Show Ever in 2000. The show's central performers were Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and...
	The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales (TV Series) The Canterbury Tales is a series of six single dramas that originally aired on BBC One in 2003. Each story is an adaptation of one of Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th century Canterbury Tales which are transferred to a modern, 21st century setting, but still set along the traditional Pilgrims' route to...	Chanticleer	Episode "Leaving London" – voice
	Ted & Ralph Ted & Ralph Ted and Ralph are fictional characters created by Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan, played by Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson in the BBC comedy sketch show The Fast Show...	Confirmed Bachelor
1999	Hunting Venus Hunting Venus Hunting Venus is a British television comedy-drama starring Martin Clunes and Neil Morrisey as former members of a 1980s pop group. The one-off drama was broadcast on ITV on 31 March 1999, and was produced by Buffalo Pictures for Yorkshire Television....	Peter
2000	Gormenghast	Professor Perch
	The Strangerers The Strangerers The Strangerers is a British television science fiction comedy drama serial written by Rob Grant and was broadcast on Sky One between February and April 2000....	Cadet Flynn	Four episodes
2001	Fun at the Funeral Parlour Fun at the Funeral Parlour Fun at the Funeral Parlour was a comedy series broadcast on BBC Choice for two series in 2001 and 2002. It was set in a Welsh funeral directors called Thomas, Thomas, Thomas and Thomas....	Larry Nazareth	Episode "The Jaws of Doom"
	Industrial Revelations Industrial Revelations Industrial Revelations is a Documentary show showing the connections between related industrial advances. The show's presenter has changed several times since the first series in 2002 hosted by Mark Williams.-Episode guide:...	Himself	2 series as Presenter
2002	Shackleton Shackleton Shackleton may refer to:* Avro Shackleton, a maritime patrol aircraft* Ernest Shackleton, Irish explorer best known as the leader of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17* Shackleton , dubstep producer...	Dudley Docker
2003	Grass Grass (TV series) Grass is a sitcom starring Simon Day which originally aired in 2003 on BBC Three. Day plays Billy Bleach, a Londoner who is relocated to rural England under a witness protection program after he witnesses a gangland killing...	Ben	6 episodes
2004	Mark Williams on the Rails	Himself	Presenter
	Carrie and Barry Carrie and Barry Carrie and Barry is a sitcom, shown 2004 - 2005 on BBC One, starring Neil Morrissey, Claire Rushbrook, Mark Williams and Michelle Gomez.Produced by Hartswood Films, it reunited Morrissey with personnel from Men Behaving Badly: specifically writer Simon Nye, executive producer Beryl Vertue and...	Kirk	2 episodes
2006	Mark Williams' Big Bangs	Himself	Presenter
	Saxondale Saxondale Saxondale is a British television situation comedy programme, starring Steve Coogan and co-written by Steve Coogan and Neil Maclennan. The series is directed by Matt Lipsey and produced by Ted Dowd. Coogan and Henry Normal served as executive producers...	Deggsy	1 episode
2007	A Room with a View	Mr Beebe
2008	Sense and Sensibility	Sir John Middleton
2009	Inspector George Gently	Joe Bishop	Episode "Gently in the Night"
	Blood in the Water Blood in the Water (film) Blood in the Water is a made-for-TV movie that aired on the USA Network in 2009. It was directed by Richard Bedser. It is based on a true-life series of shark attacks that became the inspiration for Peter Benchley's novel Jaws....	Jerry Hourihan
	Agatha Christie's Miss Marple Miss Marple Jane Marple, usually referred to as Miss Marple, is a fictional character appearing in twelve of Agatha Christie's crime novels and in twenty short stories. Miss Marple is an elderly spinster who lives in the village of St. Mary Mead and acts as an amateur detective. She is one of the most famous...	Claud Evans	Episode "Why Didn't They Ask Evans?"
	New Tricks New Tricks New Tricks is a BBC television drama series which follows the work of the Metropolitan Police Service's Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad . Led by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, it is made up of retired police officers who have been recruited to reinvestigate unsolved crimes...	David Beaumont	Episode "The Truth is out There"
2010	Merlin Merlin (TV series) Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure television programme by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps. It began broadcasting on BBC One on 20 September 2008. The show is based on the Arthurian legends of the wizard Merlin and his relationship with Prince Arthur but differs from...	voice of goblin	Episode "Goblin's Gold"
	The Indian Doctor The Indian Doctor The Indian Doctor is a British television drama set in the summer of 1963. Produced by Rondo Media and Avatar Productions, it was first broadcast on BBC One in 2010. A second series has been commissioned.-Setting:...	Richard Sharpe	5 episodes
2011	Frankenstein's Wedding Frankenstein's Wedding Frankenstein's Wedding is a live musical drama based on Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. The show was broadcast live on BBC Three on the 19 March 2011 from Kirkstall Abbey. -Summary:...	Alphonse Frankenstein

External links

• Industrial Revelations fansite