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Robert Carlyle

Robert Carlyle

Actor, also director · Born April 14, 1961 (65) · Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Robert Carlyle OBE (born 14 April 1961) is a Scottish actor. His film work includes Trainspotting (1996), The Full Monty (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), There's Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000), The Beach (2000), The 51st State (2001), Eragon (2006), 28 Weeks Later (2007) and The Legend of Barney Thomson (2015). He has been in the television shows Hamish Macbeth, Stargate Universe, Once Upon a Time and COBRA.  He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Full Monty and a Gemini Award for Stargate Universe. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work in the miniseries Human Trafficking (2005).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 14, 1961 (65)
From
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Works as
Actor, also director
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 73 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

What are Robert Carlyle's films like?

Across their 41 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
21%
Survival
18%
Morality
17%
Self
15%
Power
15%
Society
7%
Ideas
6%
Family bonds12 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt4 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 8 · Dark 15

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 22 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 7

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 17 · Intense 12

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 15 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 6

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 19 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 17

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

34 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 14 of 34 analyzed roles.

Shadow
14 of 34
Hero
10 of 34
Mentor
3 of 34
Herald
2 of 34
Ally
2 of 34
Trickster
1 of 34
Shapeshifter
1 of 34
Threshold guardian
1 of 34
Show the 34 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
24
Melancholic
12
Hopeful
12
Warm
8
Dread
7
Other
44

How their films linger

Hopeful17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet23
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous9

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Robert Carlyle's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Robert Carlyle's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

73 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • November 1963 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Jack Ruby

  • The Hack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 7 episodes · as DCS Dave Cook

  • Toxic Town(2025)

    Show 4 episodes · as Sam Hagen

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Watson(2024)

    Show 9 episodes · as Sherlock Holmes

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • The Performance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Fugler

  • North of Normal(2022)

    as Papa Dick

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Full Monty(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Gary 'Gaz' Schofield

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Off the Rails: The Making of “Trainspotting” (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Cobra(2020)

    Show 18 episodes · as Robert Sutherland

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • The War of the Worlds(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ogilvy

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Yesterday(2019)

    as John Lennon (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • T2 Trainspotting(2017)

    as Begbie / Begbie's Father

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Barney Thomson(2015)

    Director · as Barney

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • California Solo(2012)

    as Lachlan MacAldonich

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Time(2011)

    Show 156 episodes · as Mr. Gold / Rumplestiltskin / Weaver

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story(2010)

    as Felix DeSouza

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Stargate Universe(2009)

    Show 40 episodes · as Nicholas Rush

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Man Who Walked Around the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Narrator

  • The Unloved(2009)

    as Lucy's Father

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Tournament(2009)

    as Father MacAvoy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Zig Zag Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Jacko

  • I Know You Know(2008)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Stone of Destiny(2008)

    as John MacCormick

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Shaun

  • 24: Redemption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Carl Benton

  • The Last Enemy(2008)

    Show 5 episodes · as David Russell

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Flood(2007)

    as Rob Morrison

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • 28 Weeks Later(2007)

    as Donald Harris

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Born Equal(2006)

    as Robert

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Eragon(2006)

    as Durza

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School(2005)

    as Frank Keane

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Human Trafficking(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sergei Karpovich

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Dead Fish(2005)

    as Danny Devine

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Class of '76 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as DI Tom Monroe

  • Class of '76 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as DI Tom Monroe

  • The Mighty Celt(2005)

    as O

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Gunpowder, Treason & Plot(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as King James I

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Hitler: The Rise of Evil(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Adolf Hitler

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Black and White(2002)

    as David O'Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Time in the Midlands(2002)

    as Jimmy

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Formula 51(2001)

    as Felix DeSouza

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • To End All Wars(2001)

    as Major Ian Campbell

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • There's Only One Jimmy Grimble(2000)

    as Eric Wirral

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Beach(2000)

    as Daffy

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Angela's Ashes(1999)

    as Malachy McCourt

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The World Is Not Enough(1999)

    as Renard

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Ravenous(1999)

    as Ives / Colqhoun

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Plunkett & Macleane(1999)

    as Will Plunkett

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Looking After Jo Jo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 4 episodes · as John Joe 'Jo Jo' McCann

  • Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Ray

  • The Full Monty(1997)

    as Gary "Gaz" Schofield

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Carla's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as George Lennox

  • The Lucky Suit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Trainspotting(1996)

    as Begbie

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Go Now(1995)

    as Nick Cameron

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Last Ten Minutes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Chris

  • Hamish Macbeth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 20 episodes · as Hamish Macbeth

  • Priest(1994)

    as Graham

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • To Be A Somebody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Albie Kinsella

  • Marooned (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Peter

  • Being Human(1994)

    as Priest

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • 99-1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as DC Robert Preston

  • Safe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Nosty

  • Cracker(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Albie

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Tender Blue Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Richard Fascetti

  • Riff-Raff(1991)

    as Stevie

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Silent Scream(1990)

    as Big Woodsy

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Byrne About Byrne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Spanky Farrell

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Nosty

  • Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Graham

  • Ben & Lucy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Dan

  • Chewin' the Fat: Hogmanay Special 2001 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Various

  • Three (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 68 of them dated from 1985 to 2025; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

$362M worldwide

Highest rated

Trainspotting (1996)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Once Upon a Time (2011)

Film career

19852025

Peak 1998 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 20 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 72: 70 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stDirecting2 of 72: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting1 of 72: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s23 · acting2000s28 · acting2010s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 42% of 26 roles
9101

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Robert Carlyle's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 34; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

Watson (2024)

82nd percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Trainspotting (1996)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Robert Carlyle's work okay for kids?

Across up to 17 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles33–90 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity17 titles11–70 · median 50 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity16 titles13–92 · median 69 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs12 titles14–91 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense13 titles39–86 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Robert Carlyle work with?

People who share at least 2 of Robert Carlyle's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Cosmo shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles