Alastair King (born 1967) is a British composer and conductor, perhaps best known for his musical contributions to film and television. He frequently collaborates with composers Charlie Mole, Geoff Zanelli, Nicholas Hooper and Rupert Gregson-Williams by either conducting for them or acting as an orchestrator or both.
Biography King studied music at Bath College of Higher Education, graduating in 1991. He then undertook postgraduate study at Birmingham University and the University of Kansas.
His work Hit the Ground (Running, Running, Running) was the only European entry in the final of the composing competition Masterprize 2001.
In addition to his concert works, King has composed music for various films, including Shrek, Chicken Run, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and television programmes, including the FIFA World Cup 2002, The Last Detective, Second Nature and William and Mary.
King's most recent roles include conducting and orchestrating on Doctor Who for Murray Gold and Segun Akinola. He replaced Ben Foster after his departure in 2015 and took on the full role for Series 10. He left the show after the 2017 Christmas special Twice Upon a Time, then returned in 2021 for Series 13's The Vanquishers, the finale of the six-part Flux arc, as well as the final three specials of Jodie Whittaker's era as the Thirteenth Doctor in 2022.
Filmography Year Title Composer(s) Notes2001ShrekHarry Gregson-WilliamsJohn PowellMusic Assistant2002ThunderpantsRupert Gregson-WilliamsConductor and OrchestratorThe Heart of MeNicholas HooperConductorPlots with a ViewRupert Gregson-WilliamsConductor and Orchestrator2003What a Girl Wants2004Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination LondonMark ThomasMusic PreparationKing ArthurHans ZimmerMusic arranger: ChoralHotel RwandaRupert Gregson-WilliamsAdditional score arranger2005The Magic RoundaboutMark ThomasConductor: ChoirKingdom of HeavenHarry Gregson-WilliamsOrchestratorGuy XCharlie MoleHilmar Örn HilmarssonConductor and OrchestratorThe IslandSteve JablonskyConductor: ChoirSpirit TrapGuy FletcherOrchestratorWallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-RabbitJulian NottComposer of Additional MusicBlood RayneHenning LohnerConductorThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeHarry Gregson-WilliamsConductor: Choir(uncredited)2006Goose on the LooseCharlie MoleConductor and OrchestatorCurious GeorgeHeitor PereiraOver the HedgeRupert Gregson-WilliamsPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestHans ZimmerConductor: ChoirFade to BlackCharlie MoleConductor and Orchestrator2007Mr. Bean's HolidayHoward GoodallOrchestratorHarry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixNicholas HooperConductor and OrchestratorBee MovieRupert Gregson-WilliamsFred ClausChristophe BeckConductorSt Trinian'sCharlie MoleOrchestrator2008Made of HonorRupert Gregson-WilliamsConductor(uncredited) and OrchestratorYou Don't Mess with the ZohanBedtime StoriesOrchestrator2009The Maiden HeistConductor and OrchestratorHarry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceNicholas HooperDorian GrayCharlie MoleHarry BrownOrchestratorSt Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's GoldCharlie MoleConductor and Orchestrator2010Prince of Persia: The Sands of TimeHarry Gregson-WilliamsOrchestrator(uncredited)Grown UpsRupert Gregson-WilliamsOrchestrator2011Just Go with ItZookeeperStella DaysNicholas HooperConductor and OrchestratorBeneath the DarknessGeoff ZanelliConductorJack and JillRupert Gregson-WilliamsWaddy WachtelOrchestrator2012Red LightsVictor ReyesConductorShould've Been RomeoGeoff ZanelliConductor and OrchestratorThat's My BoyRupert Gregson-WilliamsOrchestratorTotal RecallHarry Gregson-WilliamsSong for MarionLaura RossiConductor and OrchestratorHere Comes the BoomRupert Gregson-WilliamsOrchestrator2013Dead Man DownJacob GrothConductor and OrchestratorGrown Ups 2Rupert Gregson-WilliamsOrchestratorGravitySteven PriceOrchestrator(uncredited)2014Vampire AcademyRolfe KentOrchestratorWinter's TaleHans ZimmerRupert Gregson-WilliamsBlendedRupert Gregson-WilliamsPostman Pat: The MovieConductor and OrchestratorExodus: Gods and KingsAlberto IglesiasOrchestrator2015The Scorpion King 4: Quest for PowerGeoff ZanelliMortdecaiGeoff ZanelliMark RonsonConductor and OrchestratorPaul Blart: Mall Cop 2Rupert Gregson-WilliamsOrchestratorThe MartianHarry Gregson-WilliamsThe Ridiculous 6Rupert Gregson-WilliamsElmo Webber2016Dad's ArmyCharlie MoleConductor and OrchestratorAltamiraMark KnopflerEvelyn GlennieOrchestratorThe Do-OverRupert Gregson-WilliamThe Legend of TarzanConductor and OrchestratorMastermindsGeoff ZanelliOrchestratorWinter ThawNicholas HooperConductor and Orchestrator2017The Ottoman LieutenantGeoff ZanelliOrchestratorSandy WexlerRupert Gregson-WilliamsWonder WomanConductor and Orchestrator2018Swimming with MenCharlie MoleSkyscraperSteve JablonskyConductorThe MegHarry Gregson-WilliamsOrchestratorAquamanRupert Gregson-WilliamsConductor and Orchestrator2025Mr Burton John HardyConductor
References
Composers.co.uk profile Sibelius Music profile Music now biography in PDF
External links Chester-Novello bio