George Sewell (31 August 19242 April 2007) was an English actor, best known for his television roles, but also active on stage and in films.
Early life and early career The son of a Hoxton printer and a florist, Sewell left school at the age of 14 and worked briefly in the printing trade before switching to building work, specifically the repair of bomb-damaged houses. He then trained as a Royal Air Force pilot, though too late to see action during the Second World War.
Following his demob, Sewell joined the Merchant Navy. He worked for the Cunard Line as an oil trimmer in the engine rooms of the and during their Atlantic crossings to New York. He worked as a street photographer, assisted a French roller-skating team, and was drummer and assistant road manager of a rumba band. He also travelled Europe as a motor coach courier for a holiday company.
Acting career Theatre Sewell had not considered acting until, aged 35, he met the actor Dudley Sutton by chance in a pub. Sutton recommended that Sewell audition for a production by Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop of Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be. Sewell made his acting debut as a policeman in the show both at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East and in the West End. He went on to star in two other Littlewood productions, Sparrers Can't Sing (1962) and as Field Marshal Haig in Oh, What a Lovely War! (1963), which later opened in Paris and on Broadway.
Television For many years, Sewell was the gritty face of crime and law enforcement in a huge array of television series. Amongst his early roles, he was the tallyman in the television play Up The Junction (1965), a criminal who runs off with a teenage girl in Softly, Softly (1966), a hard-nosed building engineer in The Power Game (1965–66), a cowardly informer in Man in a Suitcase (1967), and a seedy private eye in Spindoe (1968). In 1969 he played escaped convict Jansen in the Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) episode "Vendetta for a Dead Man". In 1970, he played Colonel Alec Freeman in Gerry Anderson's live-action science-fiction drama UFO. Also in 1970 he played resistance leader Pierre Allard in three episodes of the ITV series Manhunt – 14 (“One Way Home”), 17 (“The Ugly Side of War”) and 22 (“Intent to Steal”), which were filmed in 1969 and aired in January 1970. He appeared in a 1971 episode of Public Eye (“Come Into the Garden, Rose”) as Harry Brierly.
In 1973, Euston Films re-invigorated the TV series Special Branch, formerly a videotaped series starring Derren Nesbitt. Sewell was brought in to play lead character DCI Alan Craven. The show ran for two seasons with Sewell, and served as a stylistic forerunner of crime drama The Sweeney (in which Sewell also appeared, this time as a villain). Sewell parodied this role as Supt Frank Cottam in the Jasper Carrott/Robert Powell comedy, The Detectives.
He played a Detective Baker who turned out to be a burglar in the Rising Damp episode “The Prowler”.
He played Ray Walker in Heartbeat (series 9 episode 20).
Later roles Later television appearances include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), in which he played Mendel, and the Doctor Who story Remembrance of the Daleks (1988), in which he played builder's merchant and fascist leader Ratcliffe. He appeared frequently in films, notably This Sporting Life (1963), Poor Cow (1967) and Get Carter (1971).
He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1973 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while filming scenes for the TV series Special Branch.
Personal life and death His brother, Danny Sewell, a former boxer, also became an actor. George Sewell died from cancer on 2 April 2007 at the age of 82.
Filmography Film FilmYear Title Role Notes1963 This Sporting Life Jeff Sparrows Can't Sing Bert A Place to Go Market Trader Uncredited. The Informers Fred Hill 1966 Kaleidoscope Billy 1967 Deadlier Than the Male Car Park Assassin Uncredited. Robbery Ben Poor Cow Customer in Pub Scenes deleted.1968 The Vengeance of She Harry 1969 The Haunted House of Horror Bob Kellett Doppelgänger Mark Neuman 1971 Get CarterSewell obit in The Telegraph Con McCarty 1973 Diamonds on Wheels Henry Stewart UFO - Allarme rosso... attacco alla Terra! Col. Alec E. Freeman Italian-language series UFO compilation film. Kill Straker, a Question of Priorities UFO compilation film, known in the Italian-language series as "UFO - Distruggete Base Luna".1974 UFO - Prendeteli vivi! Italian-language series UFO compilation film. UFO - Contatto Radar... stanno atterrando...! Italian-language series UFO compilation film. Invasion: UFO UFO compilation film, known in the Italian-language series as "UFO - Annientate SHADO... Uccidete Straker... Stop".1975 Operation Daybreak Heinz Panwitz, Chief Investigator Barry Lyndon Barry's Second 1979 Running Blind Slade Winterspelt Colonel 1981 If You Go Down in the Woods Today Knocker 1998 Let's Stick Together Carter
Television Year Title Role Notes 1965 3 Clear Sundays Johnny May 1965-1967 Z-Cars Det. Insp. Brogan/Joe Carter/Harris 9 episodes1969The ExpertLouis ScammellEpisode: ProtectionWith Danny Sewell as Teddy Scammell,Public EyeJakemanEpisode: "Welcome to Brighton?"1970Dr. Finlay's CasebookDuncan BradleyEpisode: "A Good Prospect"ManhuntPierre Allard3 episodes Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Eric Jansen Episode: "Vendetta for a Dead Man"1970-1971Paul TempleSammy Carson11 episodesUFOCol. Alec Freeman17 episodes1971 Public Eye Harry Brierly Episode: "Come Into the Garden Rose"1972 Home and Away Winslow Scott 7 episodesMan at the TopHenry Webster2 episodes1973-1974 Special Branch Det. Chief Insp. Alan Craven 26 episodes1975Churchill's PeopleColonel MichelburnEpisode: "The Derry Boys"The Main ChanceHenry KentonEpisode: "Survival" Rising Damp Baker Episode: "The Prowler"Some Mothers Do 'Ave' EmWheelerEpisode: "Learning to Drive"1977Don't Forget to Write!PierreEpisode: "Going Up in the World"1978 The Sweeney Vic Tolman Episode: "Bait"1979 Running Blind Slade 3 episodes Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Mendel 7 episodes1980 The Gentle Touch Dave Connally 3 episodes1982The Chinese DetectiveJack LongmannEpisode: "Wheels Between Wheels" Minder Frank Episode: "Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Any More"1982-1983 Andy Robson Peter Mueller 6 episodes1984 Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense Det. Inspector Grant Episode: Mark of the Devil1985Bleak HouseIronmaster Rouncewell2 episodesBulmanHarry ScroopEpisode: "The Name of the Game"C.A.T.S. EyesCharlie HammondEpisode: "Love Byte"1987-1990 Home James! Robert Palmer 25 episodes1988 Doctor Who George Ratcliffe Serial: "Remembrance of the Daleks"1993The Upper HandGeorge CarverEpisode: "Minder"1993-1997 The Detectives Superintendent Cottam 29 episodes1994-2005The BillRon Davies/ Bill Pavey/ Ex DSC Charles Bennett3 episodes2000 Heartbeat Ray Walker Episode: "Against the Odds"2000-2002Harry and the Wrinklies'Huggy' Bear8 episodes2006CasualtyGeorge Barron Episode: "Needle" (final role)
References
External links
The Guardian obituary