Donald Ellis Pickering (15 November 1933 – 19 December 2009) was an English actor, appearing in many stage, television, film and radio roles.
Early life and education Pickering was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, son of John Joseph Pickering (died 1978) and Edith (died 1983), née Ellis. He was educated privately and at the Old Vic Theatre School in London established by Michel Saint-Denis.People of Today, Debrett's Ltd, 2006, p. 1292
Career Pickering's television appearances include three roles in Doctor Who (The Keys of Marinus, 1964; The Faceless Ones, 1967; Time and the Rani, 1987). In the 26-part BBC series The Pallisers, he played Dolly Longstaffe. He also played roles in The House of Eliott, Dr. Watson in the series Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson (1979–1980), Yes, Prime Minister, The Brittas Empire, Executive Stress and The Professionals.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1957 Doctor at Large Cyril Uncredited1957 Carry On Admiral Second Officer Uncredited1964 Nothing But the Best Adrian Slater 1965 Battle of the Bulge 1966 Fahrenheit 451 Bernard Uncredited1967 A Challenge for Robin Hood Sir Jamyl de Penitone 1970 The Breaking of Bumbo Jorum 1977 A Bridge Too Far Lieutenant Colonel Mackenzie 1977 The Three Hostages McGillivray 1978 The Thirty Nine Steps Marshall 1979 Zulu Dawn Major Russell 1979 Yanks Golfing friend 1983 Scarab Harrington 1986 Half Moon Street George Hardcastle 1997 The Man Who Knew Too Little Sir Duncan 1998 Monk Dawson Archbishop of Westminster 2000 Undertaker's Paradise
Television +YearTitleRoleNotes1956ITV Television PlayhouseBrian PrestonEpisode: "Woman in a Dressing Gown"1957BBC Sunday Night TheatreMajor Charles HugoninEpisode: "His Excellency"1959-1961ITV Play of the WeekVarious3 episodes1960BBC Sunday-Night PlayGeoffrey PrestonEpisode: "Twentieth Century Theatre: Musical Chairs"1963No Hiding PlaceFrank MurphyEpisode: "As Well As Murder"1964The Human Jungle Jack LamondEpisode: "Skeleton in a Cupboard"1965Gideon C.I.D."Bookie" Barton SmithEpisode: "The Thin Red Line"1964, 1967, 1987Doctor WhoEyesen / Captain Blade / BeyusSerials: "The Keys of Marinus", "The Faceless Ones", "Time and the Rani"1964–1966The SaintJeremy/Hans2 episodes1966-1977BBC Play of the MonthVarious6 episodes1967–1969The AvengersS5. E6 the winged avenger 1967 Peter Roberts
S7.E26 Homicide and Old Lace 1969 Freddie Cartwright1968The ChampionsColonel BanksEpisode: "The Fanatics"1969The Wednesday PlayMan at partyEpisode: "All Out for Kangaroo Valley"1970JackanoryNarratorEpisode: "The Ghosts"1971The Persuaders!Morley LyndonEpisode: "Someone Waiting"1972A Family at WarEric Fraser2 episodes1973The Rivals of Sherlock HolmesFieldingEpisode: "Cell 13"Lord Peter WimseyDr. PenberthyEpisode: "The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club"Softly, Softly: Task ForceTurnbullEpisode: "Catch as Catch Can"1974The PallisersDolly Longstaffe20 episodes1977Play for TodayAngus NashEpisode: "The Country Party"1978Return of the SaintSir Trevor StevensEpisode: "The Arrangement"GangstersMr. BuckramEpisode: "Enter the White Devil"1979Crown CourtClive RansomeEpisode: "Crash"1979–1980Sherlock Holmes and Doctor WatsonDr. Watson1980Tales of the UnexpectedGallery OwnerEpisode: "Skin"1982The ProfessionalsBrigadier TennantEpisode: "Lawson's Last Stand"1983The CleopatrasLucullusEpisode: "100 BC"1986Yes, Prime MinisterSir Richard Wharton, Permanent Secretary to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office2 episodesReturn to Treasure IslandHallowsMiniseries1986-1987Executive StressGordon4 episodes1987, 1992Rumpole of the BaileyAttorney General/Gavin Bastion2 episodes1988All Creatures Great and SmallSir RobertEpisode: "Choose a Bright Morning"1991The House of EliottEditorFirst episode1994LovejoySir RogerEpisode: "Holding the Baby"ScarlettRandolph1 episode1997The Brittas EmpireColonel FeatherleyEpisode: "Gavin Featherly R.I.P"2001Heartbeat Andrew ParkinEpisode: "Who's Who?"2003DoctorsSimon HardcastleEpisode: "The Forgotten Warrior"2004Holby CitySir Joshua WrenEpisode: "Under Pressure"
References
External links
Obituary in The Independent