Honestly, it’s hard to find an actor who has successfully navigated the bridge between "Bond Villain" and "The Pope" without a single person questioning it. That’s the magic of Jonathan Pryce. Whether you first saw him as the high-collared Governor Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean or felt the chill down your spine when he showed up as the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones, the man is everywhere. He has this uncanny ability to disappear into roles so completely that you often forget you’re watching the same person who once played a neurotic bureaucrat in a Terry Gilliam fever dream.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Jonathan Pryce movies and TV shows represent a masterclass in range. He doesn't just act; he inhabits. From the West End stage to blockbuster franchises, he’s maintained a level of gravitas that makes every project he touches feel a bit more "prestige."
The Roles That Defined a Generation
Most people have a specific "entry point" for Jonathan Pryce. For many, it’s the 1985 cult classic Brazil. Playing Sam Lowry, Pryce captured that specific brand of mid-80s existential dread better than anyone. It’s a weird movie. Really weird. But his performance is the anchor.
Then there’s the mainstream pivot. You’ve probably seen him in:
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- Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): As Elliot Carver, he gave us a media mogul villain that feels more relevant every year.
- Evita (1996): Playing Juan Perón opposite Madonna. It’s a role that showcased his theatrical roots—he can actually sing, which people often forget until they see his Tony-winning history.
- The Two Popes (2019): This was a turning point. Playing Pope Francis alongside Anthony Hopkins, Pryce finally nabbed his first Oscar nomination. It’s a quiet, conversational film, but the chemistry between the two is electric.
Why Jonathan Pryce Movies and TV Shows Keep Topping the Charts
If you look at the last five years, Pryce hasn’t slowed down. If anything, he’s entered a "Golden Age" of character acting. He’s become the go-to guy for roles that require a mix of grandfatherly warmth and a hidden, sometimes dangerous, edge.
The Crown and the Weight of Royalty
Taking over the role of Prince Philip from Matt Smith and Tobias Menzies was no small feat. In the final two seasons of The Crown, Pryce brought a reflective, slightly more somber tone to the Duke of Edinburgh. He managed to capture the frustration of a man who spent his life in the shadow of a crown while still making him human.
Slow Horses and the Reality of David Cartwright
Lately, everyone is talking about Slow Horses. Pryce plays David Cartwright, the legendary former MI5 chief and grandfather to River Cartwright. It’s a heartbreaking performance. In the most recent seasons, he portrays David’s struggle with dementia. Pryce has talked openly about the responsibility he felt playing this, aiming to show the internal disintegration of a powerful man without turning it into a "cheap trick" for drama.
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"I realize I'm in my grandfather years and at the moment I'm 'giving good grandfather,'" Pryce joked in a recent interview, acknowledging his shift into these more seasoned, complex roles.
From Miss Saigon to 3 Body Problem
It is impossible to talk about Pryce without mentioning the stage. He originated the role of The Engineer in Miss Saigon, winning an Olivier and a Tony. It was a career-defining moment, though one marked by significant casting controversy at the time.
Today, he's reaching a whole new demographic with sci-fi. In 3 Body Problem, he plays Mike Evans, a billionaire who has essentially given up on humanity. It’s a cynical, weary role that stands in stark contrast to his more "holy" performances. That’s the thing about Jonathan Pryce movies and TV shows—you never quite know which version of him you’re going to get.
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What to Watch Next: Actionable Recommendations
If you’re looking to dive deeper into his filmography, don’t just stick to the hits.
- For the Cinéphile: Watch Carrington (1995). He won Best Actor at Cannes for his portrayal of Lytton Strachey. It’s vulnerable and brilliant.
- For the Thrill-Seeker: Go back to Ronin (1998). It’s a classic heist flick where he plays a cold, calculating IRA operative.
- For the TV Binger: Catch up on Taboo. He plays Sir Stuart Strange, and he is absolutely deliciously evil in it.
The best way to appreciate his work is to watch these back-to-back. The shift from the gentle Pope Francis to the terrifying High Sparrow is enough to give you whiplash. It’s a reminder that true acting isn’t about being a "star," it’s about being a mirror.
To get the most out of his current run, start with The Two Popes on Netflix to see his dramatic peak, then jump into Slow Horses on Apple TV+ to see how he’s currently redefining what it means to be a "supporting" actor in the 2020s.