John Arnatt

John Edwin Arnatt (9 May 1917 – 21 December 1999) was a British actor, best known for his role in Doctor Who where he played Time Lord Cardinal Borusa in the 1978 serial The Invasion of Time.

Life and career Early life and education John Edwin Arnatt was born in Petrograd, Russia on 9 May 1917. His parents were Francis and Ethel Marion (née Jephcott) Arnatt. He attended Epworth College. Arnatt trained for the stage at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Career One of Arnatt's most high-profile roles was as "The Deputy Sheriff of Nottingham" in the fourth and final series of 1955-60 TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Richard Greene. His character filled in for Alan Wheatley, who played the regular sheriff. Arnatt's character was introduced and interacted with Wheatley's character in the episode "The Devil You Don't Know". In the 1962 film Dr Crippen, starring Donald Pleasence (who also had a recurring role in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" as Prince John), Arnatt played Chief Inspector Walter Dew. Arnatt also played an imitation "M" to Tom Adams' imitation James Bond in two films, Licensed to Kill and Where the Bullets Fly (1966). In 1967, Arnatt got something of a promotion when he played the High Sheriff of Nottingham opposite Barrie Ingham's Robin in the film A Challenge for Robin Hood.

Never well known, he amassed numerous television credits in programmes such as Steptoe and Son, Keeping Up Appearances, Dangerfield, Lovejoy, The Professionals, House of Cards, Thriller and Z-Cars. He had a recurring role in the first two series of the ITV legal drama, The Main Chance (1969–70) and in Doctor Who he was the second actor to play Time Lord Cardinal Borusa in the serial The Invasion of Time (1978). Later, in the television film, Marple: The Moving Finger (1985), he played Reverend Guy Calthrop.

As a Freemason, he was elected Master of the Green Room Lodge no. 2957 in 1995.

Personal life and death Arnatt was married twice and had one child.

Arnatt died aged 82, on 21 December 1999.

Filmography Film

Television Year Film Role Notes 1953-1957 Sunday Night Theatre Various roles 6 episodes 1954 Emney Enterprises 1 episode1955 The Granville Melodramas Captain Skinner Episode: "The Silver King" Colonel March of Scotland Yard Wesley Episode: "The Case of the Misguided Missal" London Playhouse Finch Episode: "Fighting Chance" 1955-1961 ITV Television Playhouse Various roles 4 episodes1956 My Friend Charles Detective Inspector Dane Recurring role The Adventures of the Big Man Owen Carrigan Episode: "Rich Girl" The Other Man Harry Vincent 2 episodes ITV Play of the Week Bernard K. Froy Episode: "I Killed the Count"1957 Escape Tom 2 episodes Sword of Freedom Count Ugo Episode: "The Woman in the Picture" Dixon of Dock Green Inspector Dix Episode: "Silver Jubilee"1958 The Diary of Samuel Pepys Duke of Albemarie Series regular The Royalty John Andrews Series regular1959 The Last Chronicle of Barset Mr. Robarts Recurring role The Invisible Man Lord Peversham Episode: "The Big Plot" Armchair Theatre Dr. Lederer Episode: "A House of His Own" 1960 The Adventures of Robin Hood Deputy Sheriff of Nottingham Series regular1961 Probation Officer Sergeant Conway 1 episode ITV Play of the Week Alec Episode: "Doctor Everyman's Hour" Deadline Midnight Pearce Episode: "Take Over" BBC Sunday-Night Play Superintendent Harding Episode: "The Test"1962 Sir Francis Drake Duke of Cordova 2 episodes Armchair Theatre General von Schiltz Episode: "Night Conspirators" Probation Officer Ralph Cooper 1 episode The Saint Major Fanshire Episode: "The Arrow of God"1963 The Human Jungle Recorder Episode: "Time-Check" The Plane Makers Peter Humphreys Episode: "Too Much to Lose" 1963-1964 Emergency Ward 10 Doctor Fitzgerald Series regular1964 Miss Adventure Episode: "The Velvet Touch" Fire Crackers Station Officer Blazer Recurring role Sykes and a... Episode: "Sykes and a Bird"1965 The Airbase Air Commodore Episode: "Peace at Any Price" The Third Man Count Hagar Episode: "Man at the Top" Z-Cars Briggs Episode: "A Matter of Give and Take" 1966 Dixon of Dock Green John Chiltern Episode: "The Fourth Finger" 1968 Z-Cars Frank Bowers Episode: "Blame It on Father Christmas"1969 Callan High Commissioner Episode: "Blackmailers Should Be Discouraged" Strange Report Inspector Hughes Episode: "Kidnap - Whose Pretty Girl Are You?" 1969-1970 The Main Chance Sidney Bulmer Series regular1970 Take Three Girls Doctor Episode: "Variation on May and September" Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) Uniformed Inspector Episode: "Could You Recognise the Man Again?" Steptoe and Son Copeland Episode: "The Three Feathers"1972 Doctor in Charge Dr. Lanchbery Episode: "Doctors' Lib" Man at the Top Ogilvie Episode: "Don't Rock the Boat" Thirty-Minute Theatre Coroner Episode: "The Seventh Juror" Softly, Softly: Task Force Chief Constable Daniels Episode: "On the Third Day" The Pathfinders Wing Commander Alexander Episode: "Sitting Ducks"1973 Barlow Chief Constable Daniels Episode: "Publicity" Special Branch Denning Episode: "The Other Man" Freewheelers Hassell 3 episodes1974 Marked Personal James Lawrence 2 episodes Thriller Mr. Robinson Episode: "Sign It Death" General Hospital James Lytton 1 episode1975 Crown Court Harold Gilman Episode: "The Obsession" Doctor on the Go Mr. Edwards Episode: "Clunk Click" 1977 The Cedar Tree General Von Heynig 2 episodes 1978 Doctor Who Borusa The Invasion of Time1979 Turning Year Tales Cyril Muncaster Episode: "Clubs" Thundercloud Vicar Episode: "Bats in the Belfry" The Onedin Line Mr. Ramsden Episode: "Storm Clouds"1980 The Professionals Humber Episode: "Black Out" Rings on Their Fingers Mr. Taylor Episode: "Ladies Man"1981 Shelley Thomas Humphries Episode: "Signing On" Wilfred and Eileen Major 1 episode 1981-1986 The Kenny Everett Television Show Various roles 10 episodes1982 King's Royal Sir James Spence 1 episode Jackanory King Episode: "Ivan the Ninny"1983 The Cleopatras Sophron Episode: "80 BC" Don't Wait Up Man at cricket match 1 episode 1984 Tripper's Day Customer Episode: "Special Offers" 1985 Miss Marple Reverend Guy Calthrop Episodes: "The Moving Finger" 1986 Bluebell Pierre 2 episodes 1990 House of Cards Sir Jasper Grainger Miniseries 1992 Covington Cross Doctor 1 Episode: "The Persecution"1993 Lovejoy Stanley Barton Episode: "Lovejoy Loses It" Alleyn Mysteries Nash Episode: "The Nursing Home Murder" Keeping Up Appearances Sir Edward Episode: "Looking at Properties" If You See God, Tell Him National Telephone Grandad 1 episode 1995 Dangerfield Harry Campbell Recurring role 1999 Dad Mr. Jarrold Episode: "Securidad"