Part 1
You can find part 2 here.
If you’re newly discovering John Simm, and you start looking into his filmography, you will find that it covers an impressive 60+ onscreen projects, not including any audio-only or music-related work.
With so much to dig into, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose what to even start with, so I’ve put together what I consider an Essential John Simm Watch List. While most other John Simm fans I’ve talked to agree with my overall assessment of what’s worth looking at, please note that these are just my opinions and others may disagree with my takes on John’s projects and roles.
As for availability, I’ll list the sources I know of, but you’d have to check for your own country where it may be available. Some of them may also be on freely accessible video platforms like YouTube or Dailymotion.
You might see a theme running through John’s work because he has said himself that he loves playing dark, conflicted characters. His roles are often characters who are flawed yet redeemable and who give him the chance to showcase a wide range of situations and emotions. He once said in a panel interview that he keeps being cast as traumatised, intense characters. Indeed so. Because he does it incredibly well.
He also loves the stage and has done some theatre work over the decades, but none of them are available for home entertainment purposes that I’m aware of. If you get the chance to see him live on stage, I’ve been told it’s a treat and you should consider going!
Now on to the recommendations
These are in chronological order by year of release. Projects marked with a ⭐ are among my John Simm Top 10.
Men Of The World
(1994–95 – TV series, all episodes)
Starting this off with a bit of an unusual one to recommend for John Simm, because it’s a sitcom. You know, the typical kind with a bit of slapstick and live audience laughs. But that’s also exactly why I highly recommend it – because it’s essentially classic comedy, which we rarely see from John in its purest form.
The premise is that John’s character Kendle and his friend Lenny are flatmates who also work together at a travel agent’s, which funnily enough leaves ample opportunity for sitcom comedy gold. And John is refreshingly brilliant at it, which makes me a little sad that we don’t see him doing it more. He is one of the two main characters and gets a ton of screen time.
A very kind soul has uploaded their digitised VHS recordings to YouTube, which despite the questionable picture quality is such a blessing because it seems that it was never actually released on DVD or on any streaming service.
I will also say that I’m generally not a fan of sitcoms at all, but this one was fun to watch and made me laugh a number of times, which is high praise. Perhaps a good thing to start this watch list off with, because it will only get grimmer and grittier from here on out.
Chiller
(1995 – TV series, episode 1x03)
One of John’s early TV projects that he starred in an episode of. Chiller is a five‑part supernatural horror anthology series where each episode is a standalone story that focuses on occult themes and supernatural twists.
John plays the lead guest role in episode 3, Gary Kingston. Gary is a mentally unstable, homeless young man who is under the care of a social worker whom he keeps eluding despite her best efforts to try and get him to come back into a more sheltered environment than the abandoned church he now lives at. A strong performance that makes for an interesting story. Available on DVD.
Cracker
(1995 – TV series, episodes 3x04 & 3x05)
I was on the fence of whether to put this on the watch list because the series itself didn’t really speak to me, perhaps because there was a bit too much 90s awkwardness. However, as early John Simm roles go, this is one of the more noteworthy ones and fits John’s penchant for deeply flawed but redeemable characters. Which had some appeal to me, though I will admit I wanted to fast-forward through the non-John scenes. It’s actually somewhat amusing that John was in his mid-twenties when this was filmed, and he plays a 17-year-old.
In a podcast with fellow actor Craig Parkinson from 2022, John talks a bit about how it was one of his best experiences in his early career because the script was very good and it got him a foot in the door with renowned writers Paul Abbott and Jimmy McGovern whom he’s worked with again several times since. This podcast episode itself is actually also a recommendation since John gets (uncharacteristically) chatty and talks a lot about his pretty harsh experiences at drama school and his very early steps in acting. And about a dancing act in a cage in cycling shorts…
Boston Kickout ⭐
(1995 – feature film)
This was John Simm’s very first feature film, and it’s such a good role for him, too. Boston Kickout tells the story of a group of friends who live in Stevenage – a small town north of London where nothing ever happens and the most fun you can have is smashing up people’s back gardens and hanging out in shady pubs or nightclubs.
John Simm plays Phil Saunders, the main character through whose eyes the story is being told. Not sure what to do with his life, now that he’s just finished school, he bides his time by getting drunk with his mates but also becomes increasingly fed up with being stifled by the lack of career or educational opportunities in Stevenage. It’s not only that, he also keeps being weighed down by an alcoholic father and the tragic suicide of his mother that he had to witness as a child. And then Phil meets his Irish cousin Shona who opens up a new world of opportunities to him…
John has many chances to shine in this film, and there are several incredibly emotionally gripping scenes that he brings across brilliantly, including one that’s particularly jarring and intense, which John himself still considered among his best work even 10 years later, as mentioned in the 2004 audio commentary.
Boston Kickout is an autobiographical passion project by writer-director Paul Hills and had a bit of a revival when it was restored and re-released as 4k remastered version on UHD Blu-ray in 2025. The UHD collector’s edition also includes a ton of extras, some of which feature John.
The Lakes ⭐
(1997–1999 – TV series, all 14 episodes)
Probably among John’s most impactful early work along with some of his feature films from the 90s. The series tells the story of an aimless young man from Liverpool who goes out to the Lake District to try and escape the life he’s trapped in.
John plays that man, Danny Kavanagh, and he’s wonderful at giving Danny a heart and soul that lets us come along for his troubled journey of emotional trials and challenges. Fair warning: It’s from the 90s so a bit slow burn and a reflection of that time. Also has explicit content and centres a lot around sex and adultery.
Series 1 was very good, series 2 is pretty unanimously rated as being a lot less enjoyable (and I agree). Available on DVD but formatted weirdly in 4:3 with black bars at the top and bottom. The DVDs also include audio commentary with John for the first episode that’s well worth listening to since he tells a few interesting stories from when they were filming this.
Human Traffic
(1999 – feature film)
This one often comes up as one of the things that John Simm is best known for – or at least it used to before his roles on Life on Mars or Doctor Who. In its essence, Human Traffic is a slice-of-life film about clubbing, drugs and friendship. It follows a group of friends in their 20s and a typical clubbing weekend with all the ups and downs that come with it. John Simm plays Jip, one of the mates in that group.
What gives the film a bit of a quirky edge is that it often breaks the fourth wall by speaking to the audience directly, usually through Jip as the narrator. It also utilises storytelling techniques such as playing out characters’ fantasies, juxtaposing them against the mundaneness of what is actually happening in reality.
I have found this a really enjoyable watch, and John gets a lot of screen time as witty and charismatic but also insecure and thoroughly relatable young man. Not recommended, however, if you have a problem with recreational drug use being openly depicted on screen. Because there is certainly a whole lot of that. Available on DVD and remastered Blu-ray.
Forgive And Forget
(2000 – TV film)
TV film about requited and unrequited love and jealousy. Not the best thing I’ve seen but John has a meaty role and this has some good emotional range for him. Reminded me how far we’ve come regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance in the past 25 years or so.
Clocking Off
(2000 – TV series, episode 1x01)
TV series, John is in the first episode which is about a young man who has lost his memories of the past year and suddenly turns up again at home after an unexplained 13 months absence. He plays the person that the episode centres around, the one with the memory loss. Quite an interesting premise and a good plot twist at the end.
Wouldn’t put this in my John Simm top 10 but certainly an interesting thing to look at if you’re a John Simm fan. Available on BBC iPlayer.
Never Never
(2000 – TV film, 2 parts)
A two-part TV film where he plays a loan shark who runs loan scams in a council housing estate until his life takes an unexpected turn. He’s one of the main characters, and it includes a love story aspect. Also a product of its time and perhaps filmed a bit quirkily. Available in the Channel 4 free streaming library.
Understanding Jane
(2001 – feature film)
Not necessarily essential if your intent is to find the acting gems among John Simm’s filmography, but he has a fairly substantial role in this one. The making-of classifies it as a romantic comedy, although I wouldn’t necessarily call it that. The film follows two young men who are looking for their next double-date, which they eventually find in a pair of women who are out to scam more than date.
John portrays one of the two men by the name of Oz. He plays alongside Kevin McKidd who is the male lead. The film was a super low budget indie production and won a few awards at film festivals back in the day. Available on DVD but picture quality is not great and it’s annoyingly coded in a 4:3 ratio like the DVDs for The Lakes.
24 Hour Party People
(2002 – feature film)
A feature film about the Madchester music scene (indie dance and indie rock in the late 80s and early 90s in Manchester), particularly the history of Factory Records, the nightclub The Haçienda and their owner Tony Wilson. John Simm plays Bernard Sumner, guitarist and keyboarder of UK bands Joy Division and New Order that were important players at the time.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the film because it has a very peculiar and eccentric style that didn’t speak to me, plus John doesn’t have a great amount of screen time and hardly has any lines, though you do see him sing in one scene. John’s wife Kate Magowan is also in it.
That said, I can see how it might appeal to people who are interested in the Madchester music scene and the overall vibe of those times, so you’ll have to make up your own mind whether you think you’ll like this or not. Available on DVD and remastered Blu-ray, as well as several streaming platforms.
Miranda
(2002 – feature film)
At its core a love story of a man chasing a mysterious, charismatic woman who’s a little out of his league. John plays the main male character, i.e. the “woman chaser”. Imo good fun to watch, and another chance to see him singing and playing the guitar.
Also stars Christina Ricci. Available on DVD in some countries (and apparently on Blu-ray in US or Canada). I can personally attest that the French DVD doesn’t have hard-coded subtitles.
Crime & Punishment ⭐
(2002 – TV mini-series)
This is an adaptation of Dostoevsky’s acclaimed book by the same title. Set in 1860s Russia, it tells the story of impoverished student Rodya Raskolnikov who commits a serious crime, the implications of which then plague and torment him. Addled by guilt-induced fever and delirium, he keeps wavering between wanting to get away with it and confessing to the authorities.
John plays the lead in this, the role of Raskolnikov, and he does so brilliantly. The whole thing is a tour de force from beginning to end, and visually it’s a work of art because it has so many glorious and claustrophobic close-up shots and it depicts St. Petersburg like a love letter to the grittiness of the city at the time. It was shot so beautifully that I couldn’t keep my eyes off the screen.
My personal recommendation, however, would be to read up on what the book is about before you watch it if you’re not already familiar with it, because if you go in blindly, it may end up being a bit confusing while you keep trying to figure out what is going on and who the characters are.
Available on DVD. The UK DVDs have audio commentary included that features John, together with the director, the scriptwriter and one of the producers.
State Of Play
(2003 – TV series, all 6 episodes)
TV series about a group of hothead young journalists who are chasing a story that centres around a murder tied to a higher ranking politician. John plays Cal McCaffrey, one of the journalists and the best friend of the politician who gets tangled up in the events that are being investigated. John plays one of the main characters and kind of the “glue” between everyone. There’s some good emotional range from him in this one.
I personally didn’t enjoy the story all that much but I’m generally not a fan of political dramas or politics as such, so I’m probably biased. Also features Bill Nighy, James McAvoy and Kelly MacDonald. For the Life on Mars fans, Phil Glenister is also in it. Available on DVD and Blu-ray.
The Canterbury Tales
(2003 – TV series, episode 1x03)
TV series that gives the Chaucer tales a modern spin, but you don’t need to know the source material to watch or enjoy the TV series. John is in one episode that focuses on a story of jealousy and rivalry when two friends, both currently imprisoned, fall in love with the same prison tutor and start chasing her. John plays one of the prisoners, Ace. I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a must-watch, but certainly entertaining and a good role for John.
Sex Traffic
(2004 – TV mini-series)
Two 90-minute episodes about sex trafficking from Eastern Europe, told through the story of two young women from Moldova being sold into the UK as sex workers with the involvement of American corporations and the United Nations.
John plays investigative journalist Daniel Appleton who works for a London-based charity to help uncover and stop sex trafficking with the limited means and leverage he has. Due to the subject matter, the series is pretty heavy stuff and also unapologetically shows rape and physical violence, so it might not be for everyone.
While John portrays one of the main characters, it’s an ensemble piece where the story switches between different locations and character threads. This is another role where he has opportunity to shine when things get intense and emotional. Available in the Channel 4 free streaming library as well as on DVD.
Blue/Orange
(2005 – TV film)
A TV film about a patient in a mental institution who is being evaluated for his final release. His psychiatrist consults with a superior to make a more informed decision about whether to release the patient or not, and a tug of war about psychiatric diagnoses and internal institution politics ensues. John plays the junior psychiatrist.
This film is an adaptation of a stage play and it very much has that three-person ensemble stage feel. Gives John a lot to do and some very interesting scenes for him. Also stars Brian Cox.
Life On Mars
(2006–2007 – TV series, all 16 episodes)
I think this almost has cult classic status these days and is, together with Doctor Who, the thing that most people know John from. It’s a TV series about a police officer who is seriously injured in a car accident and inexplicably wakes up in the 1970s. Trying to explain how he got there and how he can get back to the present, he is thrust into the world of policing in the 70s where corruption, racism and misogyny still run rampant. John plays the main role, DI Sam Tyler.
I had personally never watched it until relatively recently and admittedly didn’t like it as much as I’d hoped, but John is in pretty much every scene and he does cry a lot. 🙂 It still has a big fan following to this day and many people loved it. Available on DVD and Blu-ray, and probably on different streaming portals. Currently also on BBC iPlayer but only for a limited time.
Devilwood ⭐
(2006 – short film)
One of John’s passion projects that was made and produced by him and friends of his. He plays the main role and it also features his wife, actress Kate Magowan in the main female role. It’s a 10-minute film in a dark fantasy setting about sinister events that arouse suspicions and that his character Gabriel gets involuntarily tangled up in.
Story-wise, it feels more like a teaser for a continuation in a feature film than a self-contained narrative because it leaves you hanging at the end. Personally, I loved it because I’m an avid D&D player and love a good fantasy story. Also, John makes for a good rogue. Available for purchase on Apple TV for the modest amount of 2.49€ (or $2.99).
Doctor Who
(2007, 2009, 2017 – TV series, episodes 3x11-3x13, 10x11, 10x12 and the 2009 Christmas special)
Doctor Who is a cult classic with a large and still very prolific fanbase, so some may consider it blasphemy that I almost considered not adding it to the watch list. I just never could get into the series, as hard as I tried. That said, John’s role as the Master is among the things that come up most when you search for him online, together with Life on Mars and Human Traffic.
His thoroughly unhinged and completely callous portrayal of this version of the Master holds a captivating allure for many Doctor Who fans, and John’s Master role is still generating a good amount of buzz on online portals like Tumblr or TikTok.
I did watch all the episodes that John is in and I definitely appreciate his acting work on it. He also sports very different looks as each of his Simm!Master incarnations, which is fun to watch. Available on several streaming platforms incl. BBC iPlayer, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray.
TU£SDAY
(2008 – feature film)
Feature-length film about a group of men who plan and execute a high-stakes gemstone heist that goes somewhat awry. John plays the getaway car driver. Not my favourite among his films but was good fun to watch except they put him in really odd wardrobe for this one. Also stars his wife Kate and Phil Glenister from Life On Mars. Available on DVD and Blu-ray (also in 3D!).
The Devil’s Whore
(2008 – TV mini-series)
This 4-part mini-series follows the story of fictional protagonist Angelica Fanshawe to illustrate the political conflict that shaped 1630s–1650s England. John Simm plays Edward Sexby, an English Puritan soldier in the army of Oliver Cromwell. Sexby is a bit of a shifty character – the type who lingers in the shadows and thrives on spoiling for a good fight, but also the type you want on your side. Sexby is an actual historical figure, but several events have been changed in the TV version, compared to what is known about the real Edward Sexby.
The fact that Sexby is a war-proven soldier shows prominently in the scars on his face and other lingering injuries he sustains over time, and this is definitely an interesting look for John with the long, shaggy hair and the marring scars. Definitely also an interesting character with an intriguing journey. John tends to seek out these types of roles, and Sexby is definitely up there with the best of them if you like a captivating story set in gritty, early Modern Period Britain.
Available on DVD and in the Channel 4 free streaming library. A Blu-ray version has been released in Spain under the title La Cortesana but it looks more like upscaled DVD quality and not native full HD.
Skellig
(2009 – TV film)
In essence a children’s movie with some fantasy elements but also enjoyable to watch as an adult. It’s the story of a young couple expecting their second child who move to a dilapidated house that they need to restore. Their son discovers a mysterious man hiding in their garden shed and strikes up an unusual friendship. John plays the father.
The story centres more around the children and the mystery man than the family story, but there are some good dramatic, emotional scenes for John. I really enjoyed this one as a whole, not just for John. Available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Moving On
(2010 – TV series, episode 2x04)
TV series that features John in one episode where he plays ex-convict Moose. Moose was just released from prison and wants to reconnect with his wife and daughter who have taken out a restraining order on him and are living with a different man now. Nothing groundbreaking here, but an interesting thing to look at if you’re a John Simm fan, perhaps because he is not immediately likeable in this role.
Exile ⭐ ⭐
(2011 – TV mini-series, 3 parts)
This one is in my top 3 things John has ever done. It’s a 3-part mini-series about burnt-out journalist Tom Ronstadt. After not speaking to his father for half his life because of a traumatic event in the past, Tom goes back home to help his sister with their now Alzheimer’s-stricken father who needs around the clock care. Returning to his childhood home brings back painful memories for Tom and he starts digging up their past, which has him making discoveries along the way that rock his world.
John plays the role of Tom, alongside the wonderful Olivia Colman as his sister and a fantastically vulnerable Jim Broadbent as his father. It has a top-notch cast and is a deeply emotional and very human story with incredibly three-dimensional, complicated characters. This is one of those projects where John really shines as an actor. It’s available on DVD and several streaming platforms.
Mad Dogs
(2011–2013 – TV series, all 14 episodes)
A TV series about a group of middle-aged British men who are invited to their best friend’s finca in Mallorca to spend a weekend away from home and reunite as friends. Except things happen that no one had expected and suddenly they’re all knee-deep in a total mess that has them running from the law and other people who want them killed.
This one’s fun to watch, if perhaps a bit unhinged. It’s a mix of action adventure, crime and comedy, and it’s a hoot because the group of actors are all good friends in real life and there’s this sense of camaraderie that translates well across the screen. John plays one of these friends, Baxter. Also has a bit of a road trip movie feel at times and you probably shouldn’t take it too seriously.
Phil Glenister is also in this one. It’s available on DVD and has some fun behind-the-scenes interviews on YouTube, including John’s iconic hat throw take.
Everyday
(2012 – feature film)
This film is interesting in that it was filmed over a period of five years to capture the passing of time in real-time. It tells the story of a young family with five children and a husband who’s imprisoned. The mother (played by Shirley Henderson) is struggling to raise their children on her own, trying to cope with the absence of her husband and a difficult family situation. John plays the father.
The film is perhaps a bit edgy and has a definite low-budget feel. It’s very slow-paced and often lingers on mundane situations that feel like someone who doesn’t know anything about cinematography filmed them with an old-school VHS camera. Definitely a recommendation if you enjoy that sort of thing but I could see how it might be off-putting to people who want something more fast-paced and gripping.
It’s essentially relationship and family drama but portrayed in a very low-key, hyper-realistic way, almost like a documentary. Available on DVD in the US.
Father’s Day
(2012 – short film)
A short film to help with raising awareness for prostate cancer that depicts a group of men who meet as a prostate cancer support group. John plays a prostate cancer patient who newly joins the support group.
It’s available on YouTube, so is easily accessible and a lovely little thing to watch while at the same time bringing more awareness to an important topic that is often a taboo among men to talk about. Highly recommend this one.
The Village ⭐ ⭐
(2013–2014 – TV series, all 12 episodes)
This is hands-down my favourite thing that John Simm has done to date. I could sing praises about it all day long, but I’m not sure that’s a very mainstream preference to have since The Village rarely is rarely talked about where John Simm is concerned. It tells the story of life in a rural Derbyshire village in the 1910s and 1920s through the eyes of Bert Middleton who grows up as the son of a struggling local farm owner. John plays John Middleton, Bert’s father, a deeply flawed man who has been embittered by life on the edges of poverty and hardship.
We’re going back to the theme of traumatised, intense characters here, and John Middleton is a prime example of one. He is profoundly unlikeable when we first meet him, he battles alcohol addiction and past transgressions while fighting tooth and nail to keep his farm and his family alive. He’s done things that he’s not proud of and while you constantly want to despise him for his actions, there’s also a perpetual sense of wishing he would learn from his mistakes and just do better by his wife and his children.
This is a character who couldn’t have a better redemption arc over the 12 episodes that they were given, and there is an especially intense storyline for John (both Simm and Middleton) at the end of series 2 that has some of imo John’s strongest performances on screen.
Maxine Peake plays John’s wife Grace, also a wonderful actress and the two of them have a fantastic on-screen presence together. It was set up as a longer series but was sadly cancelled after series two. I wrote up a more in-depth piece on it on the John Simm Society blog if you’d like to delve deeper. It’s available on DVD and through different streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Peacock, Britbox and Sky, plus STV Player in the UK.
Continued in Part 2
