Donald Douglas

Donald Douglas (7 March 1933 – 14 January 2026) was a Scottish actor who appeared in films and many well known television shows.

Early life Donald MacLeod Douglas was born in Falkirk, Scotland on 7 March 1933. He was educated at Falkirk High School, Edinburgh College of Art and RADA.

Career His first professional stage appearance was at the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. He then appeared in repertory theatres in England and on the West End stage.

His film appearances include A Bridge Too Far (1977), Highlander: Endgame (2000) and the role of Admiral Darcy in the Bridget Jones film series.

On television, he played Tsar Alexander I in the 1972 BBC television adaptation of War and Peace, alongside Anthony Hopkins. He starred in the original TV series of Poldark in 1975/6 as Malcolm McNeil, the army captain who frequently allowed his fondness for Demelza Poldark to obstruct his quest to arrest her husband. He is also remembered by cult TV fans for roles in Doctor Who, Blake's 7, and The Avengers. His TV career continued into the 1990s, playing Franklin Clarke in the 1992 Agatha Christie's Poirot movie The ABC Murders. He has also played Dr. Gordon McKendrick on several episodes of Monarch of the Glen, and has appeared in episodes of EastEnders, Kavanagh QC and Casualty.

Death Douglas died in Albi, France on 14 January 2026, at the age of 92.

Filmography Film

Year Title Role Notes 1960 Tunes of Glory Minor Role uncredited 1977 A Bridge Too Far Brig. Gerald Lathbury 1981 Peter and Paul Burrus 1984 Give My Regards to Broad Street Police Detective 1992 Creatures of Light Minister 1997 Photographing Fairies Judge 1998 What Rats Won't Do Diner on Boat 2000 Highlander: Endgame Father Rainy Greenfingers Nigel aka Jailbuds 2001 Bridget Jones's Diary Admiral Darcy From Hell Hospital Director 2004 Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason Admiral Darcy 2016 Bridget Jones's Baby Admiral Darcy 2021 Nobody Has to Know Nigel's man handler

Television

Year Title Role Notes 1961 Rob Roy Frank Osbaldistone 7 episodes 1969 The Avengers Major Parsons 1 episode: "The Morning After"1971 Play for TodayRonald "Orkney" episode, "Celia" instalment, with Hannah Gordon 1971–72 Budgie Tony Pringle Budgie's brother-in-law 1972 War and Peace Tsar Alexander I1975 Doctor Who Vural The Sontaran Experiment Lord Peter Wimsey Hugh Farren Five Red Herrings Poldark Captain Malcolm MacNeil 1977 The Professionals Eric Sutton1980 Blake's 7 Major Grenlee 1 episode: "Rumours of Death"Take the High Road Peter Cunningham 1981 Sense and Sensibility Sir John Middleton 1982 Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House Colonel Turnbull 7 episodes 1989 Goldeneye Lord Kemsley 1992 Agatha Christie's Poirot Franklin Clarke 1 episode: The A.B.C. Murders 1993 Diana: Her True Story Prince Philip 1994 Alleyn Mysteries Sir George Alleyn Scales of Justice 1995 EastEnders Hugh Aitken 3 episodes 1996–99 Kavanagh QC Mr. Justice Halliwell 2 episodes 1999 Goodnight Sweetheart Angus "California Dreamin'" 2001 Sweet Revenge Patrick's father 2002 A Is for Acid William McSwan 2003 Casualty Teddy "Flash in the Pan" 2004–05 Monarch of the Glen Dr Gordon McKendrick 3 episodes

Theatre credits Theatre credits include: Medea, Broadway, Longacre Theatre (1994) – Aegeus