George Sewell

George Sewell (31 August 19242 April 2007) was an English actor, best known for his television roles, but also active on stage and in films.

Early life and early career The son of a Hoxton printer and a florist, Sewell left school at the age of 14 and worked briefly in the printing trade before switching to building work, specifically the repair of bomb-damaged houses. He then trained as a Royal Air Force pilot, though too late to see action during the Second World War.

Acting career Theatre Sewell had not considered acting until, aged 35, In 1970, he played Colonel Alec Freeman in Gerry Anderson's live-action science-fiction drama UFO. Also in 1970 he played resistance leader Pierre Allard in three episodes of the ITV series Manhunt – 14 (“One Way Home”), 17 (“The Ugly Side of War”) and 22 (“Intent to Steal”), which were filmed in 1969 and aired in January 1970. He appeared in a 1971 episode of Public Eye (“Come Into the Garden, Rose”) as Harry Brierly.

In 1973, Euston Films re-invigorated the TV series Special Branch, formerly a videotaped series starring Derren Nesbitt. Sewell was brought in to play lead character DCI Alan Craven. The show ran for two seasons with Sewell, and served as a stylistic forerunner of crime drama The Sweeney (in which Sewell also appeared, this time as a villain). Sewell parodied this role as Supt Frank Cottam in the Jasper Carrott/Robert Powell comedy, The Detectives.

He played a Detective Baker who turned out to be a burglar in the Rising Damp episode “The Prowler”.

He played Ray Walker in Heartbeat (series 9 episode 20).

Later roles Later television appearances include Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), in which he played Mendel, and the Doctor Who story Remembrance of the Daleks (1988), in which he played builder's merchant and fascist leader Ratcliffe. He appeared frequently in films, notably This Sporting Life (1963), Poor Cow (1967) and Get Carter (1971).

He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1973 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while filming scenes for the TV series Special Branch.

Personal life and death His brother, Danny Sewell, a former boxer, also became an actor.

Filmography Film FilmYear Title Role Notes1963 This Sporting Life Jeff Sparrows Can't Sing Bert A Place to Go Market Trader Uncredited. The Informers Fred Hill 1966 Kaleidoscope Billy 1967 Deadlier Than the Male Car Park Assassin Uncredited. Robbery Ben Poor Cow Customer in Pub Scenes deleted.1968 The Vengeance of She Harry 1969 The Haunted House of Horror Bob Kellett Doppelgänger Mark Neuman 1971 Get Carter Con McCarty 1973 Diamonds on Wheels Henry Stewart UFO - Allarme rosso... attacco alla Terra! Col. Alec E. Freeman Italian-language series UFO compilation film. Kill Straker, a Question of Priorities UFO compilation film, known in the Italian-language series as "UFO - Distruggete Base Luna".1974 UFO - Prendeteli vivi! Italian-language series UFO compilation film. UFO - Contatto Radar... stanno atterrando...! Italian-language series UFO compilation film. Invasion: UFO UFO compilation film, known in the Italian-language series as "UFO - Annientate SHADO... Uccidete Straker... Stop".1975 Operation Daybreak Heinz Panwitz, Chief Investigator Barry Lyndon Barry's Second 1979 Running Blind Slade Winterspelt Colonel 1981 If You Go Down in the Woods Today Knocker 1998 Let's Stick Together Carter

Television