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Last updated on the 9 June 2025 by Evandrus
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Mini Biography
Born: February 10, 1963, Harrow, England.
Philip Glenister grew up in the suburbs of London and attended the Central School of Speech and Drama. Glenister began his acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in various television shows and films.
One of Glenister’s most notable roles was as DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC series “Life on Mars” and its spin-off “Ashes to Ashes.” The character became a cultural icon and earned Glenister widespread recognition and critical acclaim. He also starred in the ITV drama “Demons” and the BBC drama “Mad Dogs.”
In addition to his television work, Glenister has appeared in several films, including “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Calendar Girls,” and “Bel Ami.” He has also lent his voice to various video games, including “Fable III” and “Killzone 3.”
Glenister is known for his distinctive voice and has narrated several documentaries and audiobooks. He also hosted the British version of “The Crystal Maze” in 2017.
Off-screen, Glenister is married to actress Beth Goddard, and they have two daughters together. He is a supporter of several charities, including the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.
Suggested viewing
Mad Dogs (2011)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5
Four middle-aged friends reunite for a lavish holiday in Majorca to celebrate the early retirement of their wealthy friend Alvo. However, their idyllic getaway takes a dark turn when Alvo is brutally murdered, plunging the group into a labyrinth of lies, deception and murder. As they grapple with the consequences of their actions, their friendship is tested to the limit and they must confront the darker aspects of their personalities to survive.
Top cast: John Simm, Max Beesley, Philip Glenister, Marc Warren, Ben Chaplin.
Life on Mars (2006)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.4
Detective Sam Tyler, a modern-day policeman, finds himself mysteriously transported back to 1973, where he must adapt to a world of flares, disco music and a bygone era of policing. As he tackles complex cases alongside his unorthodox colleagues, Sam grapples with the mystery of his time-warped existence, desperately seeking a way back to his own time.
Top cast: John Simm, Philip Glenister, Liz White, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, Noreen Kershaw, Tony Marshall, Joanne Froggatt, Rafaella Hutchinson.
Ashes to Ashes (2008)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1
In the sequel to “Life on Mars”, Detective Alex Drake, a 2008 police officer, is thrust into the gritty world of 1981 when she is unexpectedly transported through time. Finding a landscape of shoulder pads, leg warmers and a different style of policing, Alex must adapt to a world that feels both familiar and foreign, while also trying to uncover the truth behind her time-warped predicament.
Top cast: Keeley Hawes, Philip Glenister, Dean Andrews, Marshall Lancaster, Montserrat Lombard, Joseph Long, Daniel Mays, Andrew Clover, Adrian Dunbar.
Big School (2013)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7
At Greybridge Secondary, a secondary school juggling the challenges of modern education, chemistry teacher Keith Church finds himself infatuated with new French teacher Sarah Postern, whose youthful energy and pop culture references clash with his more traditional approach. Amidst the antics of their colleagues, including the arrogant PE teacher Trevor Gunn, the mismatched pair navigates the complexities of workplace romance, encountering mishaps and misunderstandings along the way.
Top cast: David Walliams, Philip Glenister, Catherine Tate, Frances de la Tour, Steve Speirs, Jordi Whitworth.
Similar to
Belgravia (2020)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5
In the heart of London’s prestigious Belgravia, the Trenchard family’s newfound wealth and social status intertwine with the esteemed Brockenhursts, igniting a complex web of relationships and long-held secrets. As the truth of their past threatens to unravel, the Trenchards grapple with the consequences of their choices and the enduring power of class and social hierarchy.
Top cast: Tamsin Greig, Philip Glenister, Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Jack Bardoe, Jeremy Neumark Jones, Tom Wilkinson, Harriet Walter, Richard Goulding.
Vanity Fair (1998)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.7
Set in 19th century England, Vanity Fair follows the lives of two women, Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp, as they traverse the world of social climbing and wealth. Becky, driven by ambition, uses her intelligence and wit to rise through the ranks, while Amelia, more naive and romantic, finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Their paths intertwine as they experience the triumphs and failures of Vanity Fair, a world where appearances matter more than reality.
Top cast: Natasha Little, Frances Grey, Philip Glenister, David Ross, Nathaniel Parker, Anton Lesser, Janine Duvitski, Michele Dotrice, Jeremy Swift, Tom Ward, Frances Tomelty, Stephen Frost.
Alternative version
