Geffrey Francis (born 1964) is an English actor. In 1986, he appeared as the title character in Channel Four's Zastrozzi, A Romance"A British Adaptation of Shelley's Zastrozzi", New York Times, 16 October 1986. and in a minor role in The Singing Detective. He portrayed Lynford in the drama film For Queen and Country (1988). In the popular Channel 4 Peckham-set comedy series Desmond's (1989–94) he played the title character's eldest son (Michael), before later moving on to reprising his role in the spin-off series Porkpie (1995–96).Hazelann Williams, It's About Time They Brought Back Desmond's , The Voice, 26 January 2013.
Francis has since become a regular character actor on British television. He portrayed the Metropolitan Police desk sergeant Viv James in the BBC TV series Ashes to Ashes. He also appeared in "The Bells of Saint John", a 2013 episode of fellow BBC TV series Doctor Who.
To science fiction fans, Francis is known as Admiral Frantis Griss, a minor antagonist in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, the 2019 final instalment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
Selected Filmography YearTitleRole Notes1986The Singing DetectivePorter6 episodesZastrozzi, A RomanceZastrozzi4 episodes1987BustBainesEpisode: "Selling a Dummy"Rockliffe's BabiesBrinsley HarperEpisode: "Up the Down Escalator"1988For Queen and CountryLynfordFilm1989 - 1994Desmond'sMichael Ambrose55 episodes1990South of the BorderMarcus2 episodes1991BoonStanEpisode: "The Night Before Christmas"1992The Upper HandJimEpisode: "Pillow Talk"1995The GovernorJohn Udding3 episodesPorkpieMichael Ambrose11 episodes1996SharmanTeddyEpisode: "Take the Train"1998DangerfieldAlan MasonEpisode: "Silence Has Got Rhythm Too"Maisie RaineJoseph EvansEpisode: "Food of Love"2003Roger RogerMack3 episodes2004Bad GirlsRick Revoir3 episodesBlue MurderAlec ArrowsmithEpisode: "Up in Smoke"Murder CityDI Adrian Dumfries6 episodesRed CapSgt. Lennie RaeburnEpisode: "Fighting Fit"2005Waking the DeadDr. Donald McNeilEpisode: "Black Run" (2 parts)2006Green WingPimp1 episode2007New TricksLouis JohnsonEpisode: "Buried Treasure"Robin HoodSmithEpisode: "Childhood"2008 - 2010Ashes to AshesViv James22 episodes2013Doctor WhoGeorgeEpisode: "The Bells of Saint John"2015Death in ParadiseHank Laymon1 episodeThe Dumping GroundDaveEpisode: "It's Not All About the Money"2017EndeavourGrantly SmallsEpisode: "Game"2019EastEndersDS Todd1 episodeKilling EveJohnEpisode: "I Hope You Like Missionary!"Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of SkywalkerAdmiral Frantis GrissFilm2022Midsomer MurdersBilly BevanEpisode: "The Debt of Lies"Murder in ProvenceFrancois Roussel3 episodes2023The Buccaneers Sir Helmsley ThwarteEpisode: "American Poison"Carnival RowAdmiral NevinEpisode: "New Dawn"Such Brave GirlsMarkEpisode: "Such Unavailable Girls"2025Missing YouHarvey Fox2 episodes
References
External links
Geff Francis on "Getting Into Acting: Then and Now", Creative Choices. YouTube video.