Paul Higgins

Paul Higgins


in Scotland, UK
Paul Higgins is a Scottish actor, best known for appearing in the British television series The Thick of It, Utopia and Line of Duty.

Higgins was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was raised as a Roman Catholic, but now he considers himself a lapsed Catholic. As a teenager, he trained to be a priest, but gave his training up aged 17 when he began dating.

Higgins has appeared onstage in Paul and Black Watch, and in the film Complicity. He played Alan in Staying Alive, a hospital drama on ITV. He has also played Jamie McDonald, an aggressive press officer, in the BBC show The Thick of It and its spin-off feature-length film, In the Loop. In 2009, he appeared as Gil Cameron on the BBC drama Hope Springs. He played Michael Dugdale in Channel 4's acclaimed conspiracy thriller Utopia. In 2013 he appeared in series 1 of the BBC series Line of Duty and returned for season 4 in 2017. He wrote a play titled Nobody Will Ever Forgive Us, which was performed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh in a co-production with the National Theatre of Scotland in November 2008.

Movies for Paul Higgins...

Kill
Title: Kill
Character: Don
Released: August 22, 2023
Type: Movie
The story centres on three brothers and their violent father who live in a remote forest. The brothers attempt to kill their father while on a hunting expedition but this instead begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
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Title: Slow Horses
Character: Struan Loy
Released: April 1, 2022
Type: TV
This quick-witted spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb—as they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
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Title: The Ipcress File
Character: Minister
Released: March 6, 2022
Type: TV
As the Cold War rages, ex-smuggler turned reluctant spy Harry Palmer finds himself at the centre of a dangerous undercover mission, on which he must use his links to find a missing British nuclear scientist.
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Greed
Title: Greed
Character: Jim McBride
Released: September 7, 2019
Type: Movie
A retail billionaire's 60th birthday party is celebrated in an exclusive hotel on the Greek island of Mykonos.
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The Party's Just Beginning
Title: The Party's Just Beginning
Character: Luisaidh's Dad
Released: December 7, 2018
Type: Movie
In a bleak Inverness midwinter, Luisaidh is careening off the rails after the suicide of her best friend. She medicates her misery with joyless sex, chips and a belief in the power of positive drinking. Surrounded by bittersweet memories, she struggles to find someone to talk to or some reason to make life worthwhile at the most stressful time of the year.
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Apostle
Title: Apostle
Character: Frank
Released: September 21, 2018
Type: Movie
In 1905, a man travels to a remote island in search of his missing sister who has been kidnapped by a mysterious religious cult.
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Victoria & Abdul
Title: Victoria & Abdul
Character: Dr. James Reid
Released: September 13, 2017
Type: Movie
Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.
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Charlie Cloudhead
Title: Charlie Cloudhead
Character: Charlie
Released: October 4, 2016
Type: Movie
A tragic comedy drama about a man who bottles up his problems into a cloud floating above his head. A tense birthday dinner with his wife forces Charlie to confront his issues with spectacular results.
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Couple in a Hole
Title: Couple in a Hole
Character: John
Released: April 6, 2016
Type: Movie
A middle-aged couple who have renounced civilization to live in a cave in the woods are befriended by a local farmer with mysterious ulterior motives.
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Title: Raised by Wolves
Character: Sean Garry
Released: March 16, 2015
Type: TV
Set on a Wolverhampton council estate, Raised By Wolves is modern day reimagining of the childhood of Caitlin Moran and her brothers and sisters. Single-mum Della lives in a three bedroom council house with Germaine, Aretha, Yoko, Mariah, Wyatt and baby Cher. She is attempting to raise the children by herself, but does have visits from Grampy, who likes to come around to dispense his wisdom to his grandchildren.
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Lawless
Title: Lawless
Character: Simon Harding
Released: October 3, 2013
Type: Movie
From the cells in the basement to the judge's chambers, Lawless offers a backstage pass to the inner workings of a modern court. Suranne Jones stars as a brand new judge battling to keep her head above the water in the murky depths of the justice system.
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Title: The Wrong Mans
Character: PC Hennessy
Released: September 24, 2013
Type: TV
Comedy thriller about two well-meaning idiots who become entangled in a hideous world of crime, conspiracy and corruption.
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Title: Utopia
Character: Michael Dugdale
Released: January 15, 2013
Type: TV
The Utopia Experiments is a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. When a group of strangers find themselves in possession of an original manuscript, their lives suddenly and brutally implode.
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Title: Line of Duty
Character: ACC Derek Hilton
Released: June 26, 2012
Type: TV
A drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit.
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Title: Vera
Character: Clive Stringer
Released: May 1, 2011
Type: TV
A sharp detective with a messy life, DCI Vera Stanhope patrols her “patch” of northeast England, pursuing the truth in cases of murder, kidnapping, and blackmail. Vera is obsessive about her work and faces the world with caustic wit, guile and courage.
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Title: Hope Springs
Character: Gil Cameron
Released: June 7, 2009
Type: TV
Ellie finds herself in hiding in a remote Scottish village called Hope Springs along with fellow ex-cons Hannah, Josie and Shoo after plans to start a new life in Barbados – courtesy of £3m stolen from her gangster husband – go awry. All the girls have to do is keep their heads down, assume new identities and plan an escape to their Barbados idyll... little do they know that Hope Springs is going to change their lives forever.
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New Town
Title: New Town
Character: Hamish
Released: April 14, 2009
Type: Movie
Starry architects Purves and Pekkala are offered the chance to redesign a Georgian church, but when the head of Scottish Heritage falls from the church tower in a mysterious accident, it becomes a question of whether he fell or was pushed.
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No Holds Bard
Title: No Holds Bard
Character: Struan Robertson
Released: January 25, 2009
Type: Movie
Comedy following the lives of five people as they prepare to vie for the 2009 Cup O'Kindness, the trophy awarded to the champion in Robert Burns poetry recital. The film captures the ups and downs of each participant's progress as the pressure intensifies, the poems are recited and the champion is crowned. Held in Alloway, the birthplace of Burns himself, this prestigious competition is the centrepiece of the annual celebrations devoted to the Bard's immortal memory. And this year it may prove memorable for all the wrong reasons.
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In the Loop
Title: In the Loop
Character: Jamie McDonald
Released: January 22, 2009
Type: Movie
The US President and the UK Prime Minister are planning on launching a war in the Middle East, but—behind the scenes—government officials and advisers are either promoting the war or are trying to prevent it.
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Title: The Last Enemy
Character: Professor Lawrence Cooper
Released: February 17, 2008
Type: TV
Stephen Ezard's search for the truth about the death of his brother Michael catapults him into an international conspiracy and a passionate love affair.
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Shell
Title: Shell
Character: The Salesman
Released: August 18, 2007
Type: Movie
A roadside movie about a teenage girl who feels trapped by her life in a remote petrol station in the Scottish Highlands.
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Spinners and Losers
Title: Spinners and Losers
Character: Jamie
Released: July 3, 2007
Type: Movie
Peter Mannion's speech on immigration, leaking the PM's policy, did not have the effect Tucker desired and now the PM is resigning, leaving the way clear for the Nutters and their leader Tom. Ollie has been promised a job by young Nutter Ben Swain, Tucker's assistant has encouraged Hugh's predecessor Cliff to stand as a stalking horse and Glenn is keen to keep Hugh in the frame whilst his boss is in Australia. Fortunately Tom has a dark secret which is just what Tucker is looking for but will it be enough?
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A Hartley Story
Title: A Hartley Story
Character: Hartley
Released: April 20, 2007
Type: Movie
A short film about an agoraphobic poet who lives all alone with his loving goldfish, when a taxidermist comes in to rock the boat.
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The Rise of the Nutters
Title: The Rise of the Nutters
Character: Jamie
Released: January 2, 2007
Type: Movie
With Hugh in Australia and Glenn in Wales, Ollie is left in charge, feeding policies to junior minister Ben Swain. He is one of the 'Nutters', the group keen to take power when the P.M. resigns and keen to make a name for himself - which he does in the wrong sense when Jeremy Paxman skewers him on 'Newsnight'. This is music to Tucker's ears as it is in his interest for the P.M. to remain in power for as long as he can. Ollie's new girlfriend Emma is working for Shadow Minister Peter Mannion and hopes to impress by stealing one of Ollie's idea for use on their immigration policy though things do not go fully to plan.
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Red Road
Title: Red Road
Character: Avery
Released: October 27, 2006
Type: Movie
Jackie is a CCTV operator. Each day, she watches over a small part of the world, protecting the people living their lives under her gaze. One day, a man shows his face on her monitor, a man she thought she would never see again, a man she hoped never to see again. Now she has no choice and is compelled to confront him.
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Low Winter Sun
Title: Low Winter Sun
Character: David Westwood
Released: September 13, 2006
Type: Movie
Frank Agnew is a police detective who kills for revenge and naively believes he's engineered the perfect crime.
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Title: The Thick of It
Character: Jamie
Released: May 19, 2005
Type: TV
Set in the corridors of power and spin, the Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
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Birthday Girl
Title: Birthday Girl
Character: Drew
Released: December 22, 2002
Type: Movie
A woman decides to celebrate her recovery from leukaemia by throwing a party. But before the big night, she discovers that the illness has returned. She decides to postpone telling everyone until the aprty is over, but during the evening she discovers that she is not the only one with a secret.
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Title: Murder
Character: Lee Finch
Released: May 29, 2002
Type: TV
Julie Walters stars as a mother dealing with the impact of the sudden murder of her 21 year old son. Each episode follows her story and also focuses on specific characters whose lives are transformed by the event – the journalist who is covering the story; the Indian newsagent who used to sell the victim his fags; and the passerby who happened across his body.
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Murder
Title: Murder
Character: Lee Finch
Released: May 1, 2002
Type: Movie
Chris Maurer is killed the day after his 21st birthday and his grieving mother, Angela Maurer, is unable to come to grips with that fact. She is taken advantage of by a self-interested journalist who only cares about getting a front-page story and she is completely dissatisfied with the way the police are handling the case. A local shopkeeper tries to help her through these trying times, but to no avail. The police arrest Chris' friend Ryan McGuinness, after they learn Chris may have spent the night with Ryan's girlfriend but Chris also had a testy relationship with his brother-in-law. The Good Samaritan who found Chris bloodied and beaten on the sidewalk agrees to participate in a reconstruction of the crime. In the end, a simple slip of the tongue reveals the identity of the killer and then the motive for the murder.
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Beautiful Creatures
Title: Beautiful Creatures
Character: Aidan
Released: August 23, 2000
Type: Movie
When Petula and Dorothy cover up the accidental murder of one jerk boyfriend, they hatch a hilarious scheme to collect a huge ransom.
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Complicity
Title: Complicity
Character: Andy
Released: May 6, 2000
Type: Movie
Local journalist, Cameron Colley writes articles that are idealistic, from the viewpoint of the underdog. A twisted serial killer seems to have some motives. His brutal murders are also committed on behalf of the underdog. The stories begin to merge and Cameron find himself inextricably and inextricably implicated by the brutal killer. The arms dealer that Cameron plans to expose is found literally 'disarmed' before he can put pen to paper. The brewery chief, loathed by Cameron, who sold up at the expense of his workers, finds himself permanently unemployable. The police are convened of Cameron's guilt and so are half his friends and colleagues. Cameron is forced to employ all his investigative skills to find the real killer and his motive.
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Bedrooms and Hallways
Title: Bedrooms and Hallways
Character: John
Released: August 1, 1998
Type: Movie
At the suggestion of a straight friend, gay man Leo joins a men’s group, where he causes some upsets by declaring his attraction to one of its members.
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Riot
Title: Riot
Character: Gang Member
Released: December 1, 1996
Type: Movie
An heiress is kidnapped during the chaos of a riot.
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Title: Silent Witness
Character: Det Sgt Nick Wallace
Released: February 21, 1996
Type: TV
Silent Witness is a British crime thriller series focusing on a team of forensic pathology experts and their investigations into various crimes.
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The Negotiator
Title: The Negotiator
Character: Det. Sergeant Andrew Coyne
Released: May 31, 1994
Type: Movie
A serious heart condition puts an end to Charlie King's job as a "street copper", but he refuses the offer of a desk job and a promotion. When a secret team of negotiators approaches him with the offer of a job, he's intrigued, but who is he dealing with?
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Being Human
Title: Being Human
Character: Soldier
Released: May 6, 1994
Type: Movie
One man must learn the meaning of courage across four lifetimes centuries apart.
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Title: Rik Mayall Presents
Character: Writer
Released: May 20, 1993
Type: TV
Showcasing the talent and versatility of its star, Rik Mayall Presents comprises six episodes of dark humour spread over two series, where he plays such diverse roles as a paranoid TV show host, an uncontrollable liar who pretends to be a gangster and a man on a date who is trapped in a cycle of escalating comic violence!
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Title: The Simpsons
Character: Hamish (voice)
Released: December 17, 1989
Type: TV
Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.
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Tumbledown
Title: Tumbledown
Character: Saltemarsh
Released: May 29, 1988
Type: Movie
The film centers on the experiences of Robert Lawrence MC, an officer of the Scots Guards during the Falklands War of 1982. While fighting at the Battle of Mount Tumbledown, Lawrence is shot in the head by an Argentine sniper and left paralyzed on his left side. He then must learn to adjust to his new disability.
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A Wholly Healthy Glasgow
Title: A Wholly Healthy Glasgow
Character: Murdo Caldwell
Released: February 16, 1988
Type: Movie
A fresh-faced gym instructor, Murdo Caldwell, threatens the cosy lifestyle established in the seedy Adonis Health Club in Glasgow, where, up until now, sex ‘n’ sleaze have been the order of the day. Charley and Donald, who have established a comfortable living at the club, plot to get rid of Murdo and his ideals of creating “a wholly healthy Glasgow… a city of perfectly proportioned sinuous but not over-developed physiques.... a city of non-smoking non-drinking joggers ... a city of reposeful but alert minds.' But who will win the battle of minds rather than bodies?