Robin William Kermode (born 9 July 1958) is an English actor, author and communications coach. He is best known for his roles in Never the Twain, Ffizz, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, Iron Lady, Wilde, the Norman Conquests, She Stoops to Conquer and Blithe Spirit.
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Early life and education
Kermode was born in Nelson, Lancashire, he attended Abingdon School in Abingdon-on-Thames from 1969 until 1976. He was a keen actor at School, starring in Badger's Green, The Winslow Boy, Journey's End and as Lawrence of Arabia in Ross. He was also on the editorial board of The Abingdonian and was Head of School in 1976. He is the brother of tennis player Chris Kermode and grandson of Sir Derwent Kermode, a former British Ambassador to Indonesia and the Czech Republic.
He studied drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama from 1976 to 1979.
Career
Kermode started his career in theatre and received an early positive review in the Stage in 1979 when he played Mr Medley in The Man of Mode. In 1992, at the Oxford Playhouse he appeared in Mark Dornford-May's production of Feydeau's A Pig in a Poke. He played Algy twice in The Importance of Being Earnest. In parallel with his stage career, Kermode has a long career in television. After some small roles, his career took off in the comedy series, Never the Twain, playing the son of one of the warring antique dealers, played by Donald Sinden, who falls in love with the daughter of the other, played by Windsor Davies. He gradually moved into a number of roles as police officers and began to work more in film. While working in television he appeared in leading soaps, including Emmerdale, Casualty and EastEnders.
His performance as John Major in The Iron Lady, building on his earlier portrayal of the politician Simon Hughes in the TV Movie, Wall of Silence, worked well in the film. He also appeared in Shiner, Julie and the Cadillacs and Wilde.
Filmography
Television
2012 Spy: Julian Sutton-Jones
2010 Inspector Lewis: Interviewer
2008 Harley Street: Consultant
2007 Casualty 2007–2011: Philip Kemp / Peter Dibden – two episodes
2007 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Tony Stevens
2006 Emmerdale: DI Derek Carp
2006 Angel Cake (TV movie): Paul
2006 The Line of Beauty (TV mini-series): Pat Grayson
2005 Mike Bassett: Manager: Dr. Moss (Mesmos)
2005 Derailed (TV Movie): Andrew Grant
2004 Coupling: Dr. Reynolds
2004 Mile High: D.I. Hamilton
2004 Wall of Silence (TV movie): MP Simon Hughes
2003 M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team (TV mini-series): Hospital Administrator
2003 Jonathan Creek: Mr. Jellcoe
2002 Doctors 2002–2014: David Clarkwell, Peter Franks, Mike Everall, Clive Garrett – four episodes
1998 The Bill 1998 and 2005: Pennhaligan / Robert Fellowes – three episodes
1998 EastEnders: Det. Sgt. Kidman – three episodes
1997 Birds of a Feather: Jonathan
Films
2019: Close: Edward
2016: Mob Handed
2011: The Iron Lady: John Major
2000: Shiner
1999: Julie and the Cadillacs
1997: Wilde
