Pearce Quigley (born 16 May 1965) is an English actor. His credits include the TV series Pie in the Sky, Happiness (2001–2003), Cutting It (2002–2005), Rovers (2016), Detectorists (2014–2022), The Gentlemen (2024-2026, as John "The Gospel" Dixon), and Small Prophets (2026). He has also had roles in films, including Millions (2004), and The Way Back (2010), and Peterloo (2018). He plays Will in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Alone, and has had extensive experience on stage.
Career Theatre Quigley has appeared in The Seagull (Royal Court); Paul (National Theatre); Journey's End (Comedy Theatre); My Night with Reg and Dealer's Choice (Birmingham Rep); Feelgood (Hampstead and Garrick); Blue Heart (Royal Court); Shopping and Fucking (Out of Joint at Gielgud, International Tour and Queen's Theatre); The Queen and I – The Royals Down Under (Out of Joint Australian tour); Rat in the Skull (Royal Court and Duke of York's); The Queen and I (Out of Joint at the Royal Court and Vaudeville Theatre); Road (Out of Joint at the Royal Court); Der Neue Menoza (Gate Theatre); Rope (Birmingham Rep); A Jovial Crew (RSC); The Winter's Tale (RSC); The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC); The Changeling (RSC); Abingdon Square (Shared Experience); Doctor Faustus (Globe); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Globe); The Taming of the Shrew (Globe); and Twelfth Night (Globe, 2025).
Screen Quigley appeared in Pie in the Sky, the comedy series Happiness (2001–2003), the drama series Cutting It (2002–2005), Millions (2004), 15 Storeys High (2004), Born Equal (2006), Within the Whirlwind (2009), and The Way Back (2010), alongside Ed Harris, Saoirse Ronan, and Colin Farrell. He was in Breaking the Bank (2014), Rovers (2016), and Peterloo (2018), alongside Rory Kinnear. From 2014 to 2022, Quigley played the part of Russell in the television sitcom Detectorists. In December 2021, Quigley played the Ghost of Christmas Present in the BBC TV special We Wish You A Mandy Christmas.
In 2023, he had a small part in The Full Monty and he played Albie in Episode 3 of The Reckoning. He played a disgruntled cyclist in one episode of Peter Kay's Car Share.
In 2026 Quigley played the lead role in Small Prophets. Writer and director Mackenzie Crook said:
Radio Quigley has been a regular in the BBC Radio 4 sitcoms Plum House and Alone.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1989Ladder of SwordsConstable LoweKilling Dad (Or How To Love Your Mother)Luggage attendant2000The House of MirthPercy Gryce2004MillionsCommunity policeman2005Big DippersPerryRiot at the RiteNicholas Roerich2006Born EqualBeggar 12007Grow Your OwnEddie2008Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on IceDog TrainerTwo-part television movie2009Stalin: Reign of TerrorYelvov2010You Will Meet a Tall Dark StrangerPoker friendThe Way BackChanneler2011Frankenstein's Wedding... Live in LeedsFred2012Doctor FaustusRobin, Alexander2013The Taming of the Shrew at Shakespeare's GlobeGrumio2014Shakespeare's Globe: A Midsummer Night's DreamBottomBreaking the BankOscar2015The ProcessMartinNational Theatre Live: The Beaux' StratagemScrub2018PeterlooJoshuaShakespeare's Globe: HamletRosencrantz2019The Merry Wives of Windsor: Live from Shakespeare's GlobeSir John Falstaff2020Talk RadioBarry2021CuckooFatherShort film2023The CriticMr. Morrisey2024PeakedSteven2025Bank of Dave 2David H
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1990Inspector MorseMick McGovernOne episode1991A Perfect HeroDouthwaite1992Growing RichWoodieSix episodes1993Prime SuspectRedTwo episodes1996Pie in the SkyAlistair, Lord PilburyOne episodeOur Friends in the NorthDetective1997The BillBrian WilbyNew VoicesBrianHeartbeatRed Broadbent1999Wing and a PrayerTrevor PikeHippiesPoliceman Eric2000That Peter Kay ThingRon HibbertQueer as FolkGraham BeckTwo episodesPay and DisplayAdolfOne episode2001–2003HappinessSidTwelve episodes2002–2005Cutting ItEugene EubankTwenty-five episodes200415 Storeys HighJonathanOne episodeNew TricksFrank Fox2005The Virgin QueenHenry Bedingfeld2007Lead BalloonAlan2009The Thick of ItDoug Hayes2010Being HumanCatholic Priest2013Midsomer MurdersColin YuleBeing EileenDave2014–2022DetectoristsRussellNineteen episodes2015TogetherMark TetherfordOne episode2016RoversWillySix episodes2016–2018Home from HomeBen Thistlewaite2017Peter Kay's Car ShareCyclistOne episodeThree GirlsPeter BoydIn the DarkTrevor HareThree episodes2018LovesickSimon2019Down from LondonAlanOne episode2020COBRANick DunbarTwo episodesHouseboundAl AllisonEight epidodes2021The Wheel of TimeMaster HightowerOne episode2021–2025MandyGhost of Christmas Past (2021), Lee (2025)Two episodes2022McDonald & DoddsHector InghamOne episode2023The Full MontyAlanThe ReckoningAlbieTwo episodes2024Death in ParadiseIvan McQuillanOne episodeThe GentlemenGospel JohnFour episodesShowtrialPhillip Holmes KC2025Art DetectivesCharlie FiltonOne episode2026Small ProphetsMichael SleepSix episodes2027The CadburysJohn
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