One of the most brilliant character actors of his generation, Hollywood's loss was British television's gain with Ken Hutchison. Born in Scotland, his handsome features and cheeky expression guaranteed him a career in character roles, but his dangerous streak led him early in his career into dark, villainous roles. He was cast by Sam Peckinpah as one of the sinister villagers of Straw Dogs (1971), raping Susan George and participating in the film's closing violent siege. Peckinpah took to the actor, and the pair indulged in their love of drinking throughout the shoot, often to the frustration of those around them. Hutchison was soon offered a role in the Robert Mitchum film The Wrath of God (1972) but this was his one and only shot at the big time. Quite what went wrong is open to debate. Some say he was wary of success and got cold feet. Whether that is true or not, what certainly didn't help was his unruly behaviour which made studio execs nervous of casting him again. He returned to Britain and continued his career as an anonymous but astounding character actor. He appeared in two of John Mackenzie's Play For Today films based on Peter McDougall scripts. In Play for Today: Just Another Saturday (1975) he played the head thug of the Orange Lodge, and in Play for Today: Just a Boys' Game (1979) he played Dancer Dunnichy, an irresponsible rogue who lived for drinking and dodging responsibility, a character that seemed to echo his offscreen persona. Hutchison was a stalwart of British TV crime series at this time, appearing in series such as Shoestring (1979), Target (1977) and Jemima Shore Investigates (1983) as well as The Sweeney (1974). In fact he also played the lead villain in the movie Sweeney 2 (1978), but the script allowed him precious little opportunity to shown off his skills as an actor. In 1978 the BBC cast him as Heathcliff in a serialisation of Wuthering Heights (1978) and he brilliantly captured the rough magic of the character. In the 80s he was seen less, although he had a regular role as the boss in children's series Murphy's Mob (1982). Since then he has appeared inevitably in shows like The Bill (1984). His great strength is an incredible ability with accents, and super comic timing, but he is also excellent at conveying menace. A riveting screen presence, Hutchison is long overdue for recognition as a treasure for British drama, a talent which his own country has rarely recognised.

Фільмографія

• Hamish Macbeth — Harry Dobbs
• 99-1 — Henry Ellis
• 1994Milner — Ronald Jesson
• 1993As an Eilean — MacAlasdair
• 1991Blonde Fist — John O'Dowd
• The Chief — Bernie Chandler
• 4 Play — Alex Cording
• Casualty — Mr. Draper
• 1985Леді-яструб — Marquet
• Murphy's Mob — Mac Murphy
• 1982The World Cup: A Captain's Tale — Jimmy Dickenson
• 1982Ґанді — Police Sergeant
• Masada — Fronto
• 1980A Gift from Nessus — Eddie Cameron
• 1979Just a Boys' Game — Dancer Dunnichy
• Minder — Brickett
• Shoestring — Ken Beatty
• 1979На Західному фронті без змін — Hammacher
• 1978One of the Boys — Ted
• 1978Red Shift — Logan
• Send in the Girls — Dud
• Strangers — DI Bruce
• 1978Sweeney 2 — Hill
• Буремний перевал — Heathcliff
• Target — Sharkey
• 1975Deadly Strangers — Jim Nicholls
• 1975Just Another Saturday — Rab
• Space: 1999 — Greg Sanderson
• The Sweeney — Vincent Vaughan
• The Wild West Show — Tony
• The Protectors — Mark Jenner
• 1972The Wrath of God — Emmet Keogh
• 1971Солом’яні пси — Norman Scutt
• 1970I Am a Groupie — Colin
• Play for Today — Macey
• 1970The Long Distance Piano Player — Macey
• ITV Playhouse — Ted

Ток-шоу, премії та інші появи (1)

• 2003Mantrap – Straw Dogs: The Final Cut — Self - Actor / Norman Scutt