Derek Jacobi

Derek Jacobi Profile Photo

Characters played by Derek Jacobi

Gracchus — Gladiator (2000)

Roman senator who opposes Commodus and aids Maximus.

Mr. Wheen — Nanny McPhee (2005)

Local businessman or villager with minor interactions.

Archbishop Cosmo Lang — The King's Speech (2010)

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang questions the suitability of Lionel Logue's treatment during preparations for the coronation. He notes that Lionel lacks formal training and had not been approved by the king's advisors, making him part of the institutional challenge to Bertie's trust in Lionel.

King — Cinderella (2015)

Monarch overseeing royal affairs and his son's marriage.

Narrator — In the Night Garden (2007)

The calm, guiding voice that frames the Night Garden as a transitional space between children's waking imagination and sleep, providing structure and reassurance throughout the nursery-rhyme-like narrative.

Gracchus — Gladiator II (2024)

Senator and ally of Lucilla, advocates for restoring the Roman Republic

Edward Henry Masterman — Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Valet to Edward Ratchett, traveling on the Orient Express.

Mr. Yaffe — Tomb Raider (2018)

Corporate executive funding the Yamatai expedition.

Alexander Corvinus — Underworld: Evolution (2006)

First immortal and father of Marcus, William, and the Corvinus strain.

Sir Owen Morshead — My Week with Marilyn (2011)

An official who provides Colin Clark and Marilyn Monroe with a guided tour of the library at Windsor Castle during their day out.

Nicodemus — The Secret of NIMH (1982)

Wise rat colony leader and former NIMH experiment subject.

Chorus — Henry V (1989)

A narrator figure in modern dress who opens the film, reappears throughout to provide context and transition scenes, and concludes the story by summarizing the post-film historical events.

Career Overview

Derek Jacobi has 188 screen credits in a career dating back to 1962. Their work spans 15 cinematic universes — most prominently Brother Cadfael Collection with 3 titles. Signature works include Gladiator, In the Night Garden, The King's Speech. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
188
Birth Date
1938-10-22
Birth Place
Leytonstone, London, England, UK

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 15 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q256164), public domain (CC0).