Kevin McNally

Kevin Robert McNally (born 27 April 1956) is an English actor and writer. He began his acting career in the BBC TV adaptation of I, Claudius, but is best known for portraying Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Early life and education McNally was born in Bristol. McNally spent his early years in Birmingham, attending Redhill Junior School in Hay Mills and Mapledene Junior School (now Mapledene Primary School) in Sheldon. He went to Central Grammar School for Boys on Gressel Lane in Tile Cross.

Career

McNally's first professional acting work, at age 16, was at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In 1973 he received a scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art where, in 1975, he won the Best Actor Bancroft Gold Medal.

In 1976, he appeared in BBC's I, Claudius and, in 1977, was a regular in the second series of Poldark playing Drake Carne, younger brother of Demelza Poldark. From 1991 to 1994, he wrote nine episodes of Minder, under the pseudonym Kevin Sperring, with writing partner Bernard Dempsey. He also wrote two episodes of Boon, and two episodes of Lock, Stock with Dempsey.

McNally played Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He is one of only three actors who appear in all five films, and reprised the role in Kingdom Hearts III, making him the only actor from the film series to reprise a role in Kingdom Hearts. He also reprised the role in 2021 for Sea of Thieves' "A Pirate's Life" Tall Tale series.

Along with fellow British actors Ian McNeice and Kenneth Branagh, McNally appeared in two Second World War films, Valkyrie and Conspiracy, that depict behind the scenes activities of high-ranking officials in Nazi Germany.

In 2011, he was cast in the American television series Supernatural as Frank. In 2012, he provided the likeness and voice of Robert Faulkner in the video game Assassin's Creed III. In 2013, he began working on a science-fiction animation project, Starship Goldfish.

In 2014, he played the lead role in re-recorded radio plays of five lost episodes of Hancock's Half Hour for BBC Radio 4. Following this, a further video episode was re-recorded and broadcast on BBC Four as part of the Lost Sitcoms series.

From 2014 to 2017, McNally played Judge Richard Woodhull of Setauket, Long Island, in the AMC series Turn: Washington's Spies. In July 2019, he guest-starred as Inspector Grandjean in Season 2, Episode 1 of Amazon's mystery series Maigret.

In 2019, McNally portrayed Captain Mainwaring in a series of re-enactments of otherwise lost episodes of the sitcom Dad's Army.

In 2021, McNally appeared in three episodes of Flux, Doctor Whos thirteenth series, as Professor Jericho, quickly becoming a fan-favourite character. McNally previously appeared in Doctor Who in the 1984 serial The Twin Dilemma as Lieutenant Hugo Lang.

Personal life McNally was in a relationship with actress Stevie Harris and they have two children together.

He met actress Phyllis Logan in 1994, and they married in 2011. Their son was born in 1996. In 2013 the family lived in Chiswick.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me HMS Ranger Crewman 1980 The Long Good Friday Irish Youth 1982 Enigma Bruno, CIA 1985 Not Quite Paradise Pete The Berlin Affair Heinz Von Hollendorf 1987 Cry Freedom Ken Robertson 1995 Pullman paradis Tom Donahue 1997 Spice World Policeman 1998 Sliding Doors Paul The Legend of 1900 Senator Wilson 1999 Entrapment Haas 2000 When the Sky Falls Tom Hamilton 2001 High Heels and Low Lifes Mason 2003 Johnny English Prime Minister Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Joshamee Gibbs Crust Bill Simmonds 2004 De-Lovely Gerald Murphy The Phantom of the Opera Joseph Buquet Dead Fish Frank Rosenheim 2005 Irish Jam Lord Hailstock 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Joshamee Gibbs Scoop Mike Tinsley 2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Joshamee Gibbs 2008 Tu£sday Jerry Valkyrie Dr. Carl Goerdeler 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Joshamee Gibbs 2012 Hamilton: In the Interest of the Nation Harold Smith The Raven Henry Maddux 2013 Bounty Killer Daft Willy 2014 500 Miles North Groundsman 2015 Legend Harold Wilson The Man Who Knew Infinity Major Percy Alexander MacMahon 2016 Macbeth Unhinged Duncan 2017 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Joshamee Gibbs 2019 Robert the Bruce Old Sean Underdogs Rising Lawyer 2021 Decrypted Colonel Pike Painted Beauty Det. Greene 2022 Curse of the Macbeths Duncan 2024 Apartment 7A Roman Castevet Death on the Dearborn Sheriff Wilson Post-production Damaged Goods Peter Post-production

Television Year Title Role Notes 1976 Plays for Britain Johnny Episode 1.1: "The Paradise Run" Survivors Jeff Kane Episode 2.10: "Parasites" I, Claudius Castor Mini-series; 4 episodes The Launderette Philip Television film 1977 Z-Cars Jeff Episode 12.10: "Attack" The Duchess of Duke Street Tom Prince Episode 2.3: "A Lesson in Manners" Poldark Drake Carne Series 2; 13 episodes Crown Court Paul Adams 3 episodes: "Street Gang: Parts 1–3" 1978 The Devil's Crown Henry the Young King 2 episodes: "The Hungry Falcons", "Before the Dark" 1979 ITV Playhouse Paul Episode 11.3: "Where the Heart Is" 1980 Maria Marten, or The Murder in the Red Barn Bill 3 episodes 1981 Masada Norbanus aka The Antagonists. Mini-series; episode 1 1982 Play for Today Hugh Episode 12.13: "Commitments" Crown Court Christopher Baldwin 3 episodes: "Wrecker: Parts 1–3" We'll Meet Again PFC John Wyatt 2 episodes: "Exceptional Circumstances", "The End of the Beginning" Praying Mantis Bernard Television film 1983 The Bad Sister Tony Television film The Hard Word Nigel Wood 6 episodes A Brother's Tale Bonny Taylor 3 episodes 1984 Diana Jan Mini-series; 8 episodes Doctor Who Lieutenant Hugo Lang Serial: The Twin Dilemma 1987 Casualty Tom Bennod Episode 2.14: "Burning Cases" 1988 The Contract Johnny Donoghue 3 episodes Thin Air Mark Gentian Mini-series; 5 episodes 1989 Dream Baby Slick Television film Hard Cases Richard Pearce Series 2; 7 episodes The Bill Mr. Todd Episode 5.72: "Nothing But the Truth" Act of Will Vincent Crowther Mini-series; episode 1 1990 Jekyll & Hyde Sergeant Hornby Television film Tygo Road Adam Hartley 6 episodes Murder East - Murder West Regine's Boyfriend in the East Television film 1991 The New Statesman Colonel Gromyko Episode 3.6: "Profit of Doom" Bottom Sex Shop Assistant Episode 1.1: "Smells" Minder Richards Episode 8.3: "Whatever Happened to Her Indoors" Murder Most Horrid Inspector Turner Episode 1.3: "He Died a Death" 1992 The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles Walter Burton Harris Episode 1.1: "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" A Masculine Ending Andrew Gardner Television film No Head for Heights Harry Television short film Screen Two Stuart Thorne Episode 8.8: "The Common Pursuit" Stalin Sergey Kirov Television film 1993 Full Stretch Baz Levick 6 episodes The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries Luke Watchman Episode 1.4: "Death at the Bar" Love and Reason Phil Spencer Mini-series; 3 episodes Mama's Back Director Television film Abraham Nahor Mini-series; 2 episodes 1994 Screen Two Tommy O'Neill Episode 10.3: "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Terry Episode 10.7: "Return to Blood River" Murder Most Horrid Mr. Bogleby Episode 2.5: "Mangez Merveillac" 1994, 1996 Jo Brand Through the Cakehole Various characters 2 episodes 1995 Ghosts Craig Byatt Episode 1.3: "Massage" Chiller Jack Taylor Episode 1.5: "Number Six" The Smiths Clive Smith Television film Eleven Men Against Eleven Jake Leach Television film Smith & Jones Various characters Episode 8.6: "Rough Direction." 1996 Screen Two Billy McVea Episode 13.5: "The Precious Blood" Frontiers Supt. Graham Kirsten 6 episodes 1997 Underworld Mr. Jezzard Mini-series; 5 episodes 1997–1999 Dad Alan Hook Series 1 & 2: 13 episodes 1999 Rab C. Nesbitt Tony Welthorpe, MP Episode 8.2: "Commons" Midsomer Murders Orville Tudway Episode 2.4: "Blood Will Out" 2000 Up Rising Terry Gaines 5 episodes 2001 Conspiracy Martin Luther Television film 2002 Shackleton Captain Frank Worsley Mini-series; 2 episodes Spooks Robert Osborne Episode 1.2: "Looking After Our Own". Uncredited role Bedtime Simon Series 2; 6 episodes 2004 Dunkirk Major General Alexander 2 episodes: "Evacuation", "Deliverance" 2005 Bloodlines James Hopkin 2-part thriller 2007 Life on Mars Supt. Harry Woolf Series 2; 2 episodes The Murder of Princess Diana Charles Davis aka Diana: The Final Journey. Television film The Minister of Divine Wesley Television film 2009 Demons Mr. Tibbs Mini-series; episode 3: "Saving Grace" Wuthering Heights Mr. Earnshaw Mini-series; 2 episodes Margaret Kenneth Clarke Television film Law & Order: UK Harry Morgan Episode 2.3: "Community Service" Big Top Dad Episode 1.4: "Dad" 2010 Agatha Christie's Marple Inspector Sumerset Episode 5.3: "The Blue Geranium" New Tricks Fred Blackledge Episode 7.3: "Left Field" Midsomer Murders Gerald Farquaharson Episode 13.6: "The Noble Art" 2011 Turbo Dates Wilfred Episode 3.1: "Chemistry" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Steven Watt Episode 12.6: "Freaks & Geeks" Poe Kyle Kilpatrick Television film 2011–2012 Supernatural Frank Devereaux Season 7; 4 episodes Downton Abbey Horace Bryant Recurring role; 3 episodes 2012 Room at the Top Mr. Brown Mini-series; 2 episodes Burn Notice James Vanek Episode 6.16: "Odd Man Out" 2013 The Challenger Disaster Lawrence Mulloy Television film The Mill Mr. Timperley 4 episodes 2013, 2015, 2018 Starship Goldfish Ghostworth (voice) 3 episodes 2014 24: Live Another Day Russian Agent Mini-series; episode 12: "Day 9: 10:00 p.m.–11:00 a.m." Marked Brian Cruft Television film 2014–2017 Turn: Washington's Spies Judge Richard Woodhull Series 1–4; 40 episodes 2015 Count Arthur Strong Ernest Episode 2.2: "The Day the Clocks Went Back" 2016 Power Monkeys Spencer 6 episodes Fleabag Older Man Episode 1.2 Lost Sitcoms Tony Hancock Mini-series; episode 2: "Hancock's Half Hour" 2016–2017 Designated Survivor Harris Cochrane Recurring role; 6 episodes 2017 Maigret Inspector Grandjean Episode 2.1: "Night at the Crossroads" 2018 The Good Fight Franz Mendelssohn Episode 2.6: "Day 443" Unforgotten James Hollis Series 3; 6 episodes The Outpost The Smith 6 episodes The ABC Murders Inspector Japp Mini-series; episode 1 2018–2020 Das Boot Jack Greenwood Recurring role; 6 episodes 2019 Dad's Army: The Lost Episodes Capt. George Mainwaring 3 episodes Catherine the Great Count Alexei Orlov Mini-series; 4 episodes 2020 Bernard Ingham Series 4; 5 episodes 2021 Professor Eustacius Jericho 3 episodes: "Village of the Angels", "Survivors of the Flux", "The Vanquishers" 2022 Ten Percent Ian Jays Episode 1.4 2022–2025 The Wingfeather Saga Podo Helmer Series 1–3; 18 episodes 2023 Stonehouse Harold Wilson Mini-series; 3 episodes The Real Stonehouse Himself - Narrator Television Special Endeavour Kenny / Supt. Jolliphant Episode 9.2: "Uniform" Dead Ringers Alan Mini-series; episode 4 Lovely Little Farm Darling Donkey (voice) Series 2; 6 episodes 2024 Silent Witness Professor Peter Cherry 2 episodes: "Grievance Culture: Parts 1 & 2" Alex Rider Max Grendel Series 3; 3 episodes: "Widow", "Revenge", "Target" 2025 Miss Austen George Austen Mini-series; 4 episodes Argh and the Quest for the Golden Dragon Skull King Kevin Television film The Chelsea Detective George Rushland Episode 3.4: "For the Greater Good" Beyond Paradise George Ellis Episode 3.5 Murder Most Puzzling Gilbert Sullivan Episode 1.3 Midsomer Murders Sir Alan Bruce Episode 25.3: "Death Strikes Three" McNally also co-wrote several episodes of the television series Minder and Boon in the 1980s.

Video games Year Title Role (voice) Notes Ref. 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Joshamee Gibbs 2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Joshamee Gibbs Pirates of the Caribbean Online Joshamee Gibbs 2011 Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game Joshamee Gibbs 2012 Assassin's Creed III Robert Faulkner 2013 Disney Infinity Joshamee Gibbs 2018 Sea of Thieves Joshamee Gibbs 2019 Kingdom Hearts III Joshamee Gibbs English version 2021 Sea of Thieves: A Pirate's Life Joshamee Gibbs 2025 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Duke Druksmaid Goltanna / Arazlam J.D. English version 2026 Corsair Cove Rambulion / Narrator

Selected stage credits Title Role Theatre NotesRef.King Lear King Lear Shakespeare's Globe opposite Saskia Reeves, Burt Caesar Hamlet Claudius Donmar at Wyndham's Theatre opposite Jude Law, Ron Cook and Penelope Wilton Ivanov Lebedev Donmar at Wyndham's Theatre opposite Kenneth Branagh, Malcolm Sinclair and Gina McKeeNominated – Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role Boeing Boeing Bernard Comedy Theatre The Lady in the Van Alan Bennett 2 Queen's Theatre opposite Maggie Smith and Alan Bennett Naked Grotti Almeida Theatre opposite Juliette Binoche Dead Funny Richard Savoy Theatre The Iceman Cometh Paritt National Theatre