John Benfield obit

John Benfield obituary

Actor whose many hard man roles included being a firm but fair boss to Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect 

He was not on the list.

The actor John Benfield, who has died aged 68 of cancer, enjoyed his best screen role as Helen Mirren’s boss in Prime Suspect, Lynda La Plante’s groundbreaking 1990s police drama about a woman in a male-dominated environment.

Mirren, who played Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, regarded previous crime series starring women as “much lower-level … a kind of soap opera” and relished the chance to portray a strong character driving the action. In the role of Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Kernan, Benfield proved to be Tennison’s ally when considering her request to take over a murder case after the sudden death of a colleague.

“Now, Inspector, is not the time to thrust your women’s rights down my throat,” he tells her, while also conveying his support for her abilities. “I’ll get back to you.”

When he announces to the murder squad that she has the job, he adds: “I know how you must all feel, but give her the best you’ve got.” Their sexism is overt and the challenge to win them over gargantuan – and Kernan makes Tennison earn her spurs.

However, he eventually tells one of the officers: “She’s wiping the floor with the lot of you.” Benfield skilfully displayed the officer’s conflicting emotions.

He appeared in Prime Suspect’s first three two-part dramas (1991-93) and a 1995 series of three stories before Tennison’s move from the Metropolitan Police to Manchester resulted in cast changes. By then, the programme was established as one of British television’s hardest-hitting dramas.

Benfield’s craggy face and gruff voice made him perfect for parts as both hard-nosed cops and hardened criminals. In between Prime Suspect productions, he played the chief prison officer in the feature film In the Name of the Father (1993), about the miscarriage of justice over the 1974 IRA pub bombings in Guildford.

Benfield was born Jonathan Turner, in Wanstead, Essex, to Fred Turner, a margarine sales rep, and his wife, Joan (nee White). From Loughton school he moved on to the town’s further education college. After spending four years as a London ambulance driver he studied history as a mature student at Nottingham University, where he found a passion for acting with the drama society.

He trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art (1976-78) in London and, because there was already an actor called John Turner, he changed his professional name to John Benfield, using a name from his mother’s side of the family.

When he made his stage debut in Twelfth Night during a 1979 London Bubble theatre company tour of parks, the Stage praised his performance as “a fine Malvolio … starchier than Jeeves and more dangerous than the MC in Cabaret”. Some of his early television appearances were in the BBC’s television Shakespeare project, from small parts in The Winter’s Tale (1981) and Titus Andronicus (1985) to the Earl of Northumberland in Henry VI, Part III (1983).

He portrayed detectives in the first series of Bulman (1985), the cocaine-smuggling saga Floodtide (1987-88) and British episodes of the pan-continental production Eurocops (1988-90). He was McMurdo to Ian Richardson’s Sherlock Holmes in a TV adaptation of The Sign of Four (1983) and Henri Lautier, an underworld figure, in a 1993 Maigret story.

Then, he slipped effortlessly into a military persona as General Calvet in Sharpe’s Revenge (1997), alongside Sean Bean as Sharpe, a soldier in the Napoleonic wars, and played fathers in sitcoms – Simon Pegg’s in Hippies (1999) and Ben Miller’s in The Worst Week of My Life (2004).

 

Film roles came as the great train robbery quartermaster Jimmy White, alongside Phil Collins’s title character, in Buster (1988), a detective in the Irish political thriller Hidden Agenda (1990), directed by Ken Loach, the restaurant-owning father of Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor’s hitmen in Woody Allen’s Cassandra’s Dream (2007) and a race-fixing racketeer in Speed Racer (2008), for the Wachowski brothers.

On stage, Benfield played George Aaronow in Glengarry Glen Ross at the Donmar Warehouse in London (1994), directed by Sam Mendes, and Macduff in a tour of Macbeth, opposite Pete Postlethwaite in the title role (1997), before starring as Salter in the Caryl Churchill play A Number at the Library theatre, Manchester (2009).

 

Filmography

Actor

Bill Pullman in The Coldest Game (2019)

The Coldest Game

6.2

Dr. Peter

2019

 

Christian Bale and Rohan Chand in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018)

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

6.5

Wolf Elder (voice)

2018

 

Ray Stevenson and David Oakes in Cold Skin (2017)

Cold Skin

6.0

Captain Axel

2017

 

James Nesbitt and Thekla Reuten in Lucky Man (2016)

Lucky Man

7.1

TV Series

Jim Stepton

2016

2 episodes

 

Family Trip (2015)

Family Trip

Short

2015

 

A.D. The Bible Continues (2015)

A.D. The Bible Continues

7.4

TV Series

Yitzhak

2015

2 episodes

 

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.1

TV Series

Gerry Gilbert

George Weaver

Albert Rossiter

2009–2014

3 episodes

 

Doctors (2000)

Doctors

4.7

TV Series

Bobby Fledgling

2014

1 episode

 

Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy in The Tunnel (2013)

The Tunnel

7.9

TV Series

Graham Roebuck

2013

1 episode

 

Unoriginal (2013)

Unoriginal

5.3

Short

Controller

2013

 

Geoffrey Rush and Sylvia Hoeks in The Best Offer (2013)

The Best Offer

7.8

Barman

2013

 

Eva Green and Jamie Campbell Bower in Camelot (2011)

Camelot

6.5

TV Series

Alded

2011

1 episode

 

Alun Armstrong, James Bolam, Amanda Redman, and Dennis Waterman in New Tricks (2003)

New Tricks

8.0

TV Series

Doug Palmer

2010

1 episode

 

Doctor Who: The Lost Stories

TV Series

Captain Greeg (voice)

2010

1 episode

 

Matthew Fox and Emile Hirsch in Speed Racer (2008)

Speed Racer

6.1

Cruncher Block

2008

 

Greta Scacchi, Tom Skerritt, and Paul Gross in The Trojan Horse (2008)

The Trojan Horse

6.0

TV Mini Series

Inspector Hafferty

2008

1 episode

 

The Palace (2008)

The Palace

7.1

TV Series

Ray Mellor

2008

2 episodes

 

Double Time

7.2

TV Movie

Kenny

2007

 

The Marchioness Disaster (2007)

The Marchioness Disaster

5.9

TV Movie

Peter Butcher

2007

 

Cassandra's Dream (2007)

Cassandra's Dream

6.6

Brian Blaine

2007

 

Flood (2007)

Flood

4.8

Frank

2007

 

Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, Mark Wingett, and Delia Swan in The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Danny Parker

Frankie Steele

Albie Markham ...

1991–2007

4 episodes

 

Mark Addy, Liza Tarbuck, and Alex Hassell in Bonkers (2007)

Bonkers

6.9

TV Series

Terry Cavanagh

2007

1 episode

 

Guy Henry in Holby City (1999)

Holby City

5.8

TV Series

Kevin McAlley

2007

1 episode

 

Harold the Amazing Contortionist Pig

5.7

Short

Circus Owner

2005

 

Sarah Alexander and Ben Miller in The Worst Week of My Life (2004)

The Worst Week of My Life

7.9

TV Series

Ron

2004–2005

7 episodes

 

Derailed

6.0

TV Movie

Len Northcott

2005

 

Malcolm McDowell in Evilenko (2003)

Evilenko

6.2

2003

 

Kenny Doughty, Claire Goose, and Christine Tremarco in Gifted (2003)

Gifted

6.6

TV Movie

Harry Boothroyd

2003

 

Irina Björklund and Jakob Eklund in Den tredje vågen (2003)

Den tredje vågen

6.3

Stevens

2003

 

An Angel for May (2002)

An Angel for May

6.9

TV Movie

PC Clegg

2002

 

Aka Albert Walker (2002)

Aka Albert Walker

6.6

TV Movie

DCI Dawlish

2002

 

Cate Blanchett in Charlotte Gray (2001)

Charlotte Gray

6.4

Loque

2001

 

Endgame (2001)

Endgame

5.5

Dunston

2001

 

Lover's Prayer (2001)

Lover's Prayer

4.7

Nirmansky

2001

 

Rhona

5.2

TV Series

Liam Punt

2000

1 episode

 

Dalziel and Pascoe (1996)

Dalziel and Pascoe

7.4

TV Series

Kenneth Barbour

2000

1 episode

 

24 Hours in London (2000)

24 Hours in London

3.5

Insp. Duggan

2000

 

Justice in Wonderland

TV Movie

Bromfield

2000

 

João Costa Menezes in Sunburn (1999)

Sunburn

7.7

TV Series

Reg Storey

2000

1 episode

 

Hippies (1999)

Hippies

7.0

TV Series

Dad

1999

5 episodes

 

John Hurt, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Barbara Flynn, and Rhys Ifans in You're Dead... (1999)

You're Dead...

5.6

Badger

1999

 

Maisie Raine (1998)

Maisie Raine

7.7

TV Series

Gordon Daker

1999

1 episode

 

Elisabeth Shue and Jessica Lange in Cousin Bette (1998)

Cousin Bette

6.2

Dr. Bianchon

1998

 

Owd Bob (1998)

Owd Bob

6.2

Blake

1998

 

Embeth Davidtz and Anthony LaPaglia in The Garden of Redemption (1997)

The Garden of Redemption

5.4

TV Movie

Mayor of Vaiano

1997

 

Sean Bean in Sharpe (1993)

Sharpe

8.4

TV Series

Gen. Calvet

1997

1 episode

 

Glenn Close in 101 Dalmatians (1996)

101 Dalmatians

5.7

Doorman

1996

 

Tales from the Crypt (1989)

Tales from the Crypt

8.0

TV Series

Inspector Minty

1996

1 episode

 

Glen Berry and Scott Neal in Beautiful Thing (1996)

Beautiful Thing

7.6

Rodney Barr

1996

 

Prime Suspect: The Scent of Darkness (1995)

Prime Suspect: The Scent of Darkness

7.8

TV Movie

DCS Michael Kernan

1995

 

Prime Suspect: Inner Circles (1995)

Prime Suspect: Inner Circles

7.6

TV Movie

DCS Michael Kernan

1995

 

Prime Suspect: The Lost Child (1995)

Prime Suspect: The Lost Child

7.8

TV Movie

DCS Michael Kernan

1995

 

Broken Heart

7.3

Short

Ronnie

1994

 

Murder Most Horrid (1991)

Murder Most Horrid

7.3

TV Series

Barry Todd

1994

1 episode

 

Broken Lives

TV Movie

1994

 

Calling the Shots (1993)

Calling the Shots

7.4

TV Mini Series

Charlie

1994

2 episodes

 

Alexei Sayle in The All New Alexei Sayle Show (1994)

The All New Alexei Sayle Show

7.4

TV Series

1994

1 episode

 

Helen Mirren and Tom Bell in Prime Suspect 3 (1993)

Prime Suspect 3

8.1

TV Mini Series

DCS Michael Kernan

1993

2 episodes

 

Daniel Day-Lewis in In the Name of the Father (1993)

In the Name of the Father

8.1

Chief PO Barker

1993

 

Sean's Show (1992)

Sean's Show

7.6

TV Series

Policeman Ben

1993

2 episodes

 

Maigret (1992)

Maigret

7.8

TV Series

Henri Lautier

1993

1 episode

 

In Suspicious Circumstances (1991)

In Suspicious Circumstances

8.4

TV Series

William Gardiner

1993

1 episode

 

Adam Faith and Zoë Wanamaker in Love Hurts (1992)

Love Hurts

7.4

TV Series

Vinnie Stevens

1993

1 episode

 

Spender (1991)

Spender

7.6

TV Series

Ernie Peters

1993

1 episode

 

Prime Suspect 2 (1992)

Prime Suspect 2

8.1

TV Mini Series

DSU Michael Kernan

1992

2 episodes

 

The Secret Agent (1992)

The Secret Agent

6.6

TV Mini Series

Michaelis

1992

3 episodes

 

Tony Doyle, Tom Georgeson, Neil Pearson, and Siobhan Redmond in Between the Lines (1992)

Between the Lines

8.1

TV Series

Michael Carswell

1992

1 episode

 

Screen One (1985)

Screen One

6.6

TV Series

Mr. Reddy

1992

1 episode

 

Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect (1991)

Prime Suspect

8.3

TV Mini Series

DSU Michael Kernan

1991

2 episodes

 

4 Play (1989)

4 Play

7.3

TV Series

Gordon Turnbull

1991

1 episode

 

Frances McDormand in Hidden Agenda (1990)

Hidden Agenda

6.9

Maxwell

1990

 

Duncan Regehr in Zorro (1990)

Zorro

6.8

TV Series

Saragoza

1990

1 episode

 

Eurocops (1988)

Eurocops

5.9

TV Series

George Jackson

1988–1990

3 episodes

 

Making News

TV Series

Det. Insp. Fisher

1990

1 episode

 

Treasure Island (1990)

Treasure Island

7.0

TV Movie

Black Dog

1990

 

The Paradise Club (1989)

The Paradise Club

7.4

TV Series

D Supt Chivvers

1989

1 episode

 

Boon (1986)

Boon

6.4

TV Series

Joyman

1988

1 episode

 

Phil Collins in Buster (1988)

Buster

5.8

Jimmy

1988

 

Screenplay (1986)

Screenplay

6.6

TV Series

Alec

1988

1 episode

 

John Benfield, Gaby Dellal, and Philip Sayer in Floodtide (1987)

Floodtide

7.6

TV Series

Det. Insp. Brook

1987–1988

12 episodes

 

Scene (1968)

Scene

6.1

TV Series

Horsley

1988

2 episodes

 

Whoops Apocalypse (1986)

Whoops Apocalypse

6.0

Secret Service Agent

1986

 

Steve Bisley, David Bamber, Dermot Crowley, and Dulice Liecier in Call Me Mister (1986)

Call Me Mister

7.2

TV Series

Bennett

1986

1 episode

 

Lenny Henry Tonite

6.6

TV Series

1986

1 episode

 

The Monocled Mutineer (1986)

The Monocled Mutineer

8.2

TV Mini Series

1986

1 episode

 

King & Castle (1986)

King & Castle

6.9

TV Series

George Gadney

1986

1 episode

 

Brian Bovell and Gary Olsen in Prospects (1986)

Prospects

8.6

TV Series

Kev Nolan

1986

2 episodes

 

The Black Tower (1985)

The Black Tower

7.3

TV Mini Series

Gunman

1985

1 episode

 

Don Henderson and Siobhan Redmond in Bulman (1985)

Bulman

8.0

TV Series

Inspector

Det. Insp. Holmes

1985

3 episodes

 

Titus Andronicus (1985)

Titus Andronicus

7.7

TV Movie

Messenger

1st Goth

Caius

1985

 

Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil (1985)

Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil

6.5

TV Movie

Griesch

1985

 

Gulag (1985)

Gulag

6.6

TV Movie

Lubyanka Guard #2

1985

 

Breakout (1984)

Breakout

6.3

Minder

1984

 

Number One (1984)

Number One

5.7

TV Movie

Contestant

1984

 

The Brief (1984)

The Brief

TV Series

Redcap

1984

1 episode

 

The Beggar's Opera (1983)

The Beggar's Opera

6.3

TV Movie

Jailer

1983

 

By the Sword Divided (1983)

By the Sword Divided

8.1

TV Series

Mr. Syms

1983

2 episodes

 

Ian Richardson in The Sign of Four (1983)

The Sign of Four

6.4

TV Movie

McMurdo

1983

 

The Nation's Health (1983)

The Nation's Health

7.5

TV Series

Patient - Michael

1983

1 episode

 

Brian Protheroe in The Third Part of Henry the Sixth (1983)

The Third Part of Henry the Sixth

7.9

TV Movie

Earl of Northumberland

2nd Keeper

Huntsman

1983

 

The Second Part of Henry the Sixth (1983)

The Second Part of Henry the Sixth

7.5

TV Movie

First Murderer

Ship's Master

1983

 

Brenda Blethyn in The First Part of Henry the Sixt (1983)

The First Part of Henry the Sixt

7.3

TV Movie

Basset

French Sergeant

1983

 

George Cole in Minder (1979)

Minder

7.8

TV Series

Painter

1982

1 episode

 

The Day of the Triffids (1981)

The Day of the Triffids

7.3

TV Mini Series

Ted

1981

1 episode

 

It Ain't Half Hot Mum (1974)

It Ain't Half Hot Mum

7.2

TV Series

Soldier

1981

1 episode

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

Second Man

1981

1 episode

 

The Winter's Tale (1981)

The Winter's Tale

7.2

TV Movie

Gaoler

1981

Other

Doctor Who: Circular Time (Audio Drama)