Rafe Spall Movies and TV Shows: Complete Filmography 2026

Rafe Spall has built one of the more varied acting careers in modern British film and television. From his early appearances in British dramas and comedies to major Hollywood productions, he has played everything from hapless romantics and police officers to explorers, businessmen and deeply troubled characters.

For many UK viewers, Spall first became recognisable as Noel in Shaun of the Dead and DC Andy Cartwright in Hot Fuzz. He later took on more substantial roles in films such as Prometheus, Life of Pi, The Big Short, The BFG, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and The Ritual. On television, his credits include Black Mirror, The Shadow Line, The War of the Worlds, The Salisbury Poisonings, The English and the long-running comedy Trying.

As of 2026, his television career is particularly busy, with Trying continuing into its fifth season and new projects including Bait, Secret Service and Under Salt Marsh.

Who is Rafe Spall?

Rafe Spall is an English actor and producer, born on 10 March 1983 in Camberwell, London. He is the son of acclaimed British actor Timothy Spall and began building his own screen career in the early 2000s.

His filmography covers British comedy, romance, horror, science fiction, historical drama, action and television crime. One of the defining features of his career is the contrast between smaller comic roles and much more dramatic performances.

That range is particularly clear when comparing Shaun of the Dead with The Ritual, or Trying with Black Mirror. Spall can play an intentionally irritating comic character one year and a serious dramatic lead the next.

Rafe Spall movies: the essential list

Here are some of the most important Rafe Spall movies, including his role in each.

The filmography above brings together the principal feature-film credits recorded across major film databases.

Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the Dead (2004) is one of the most recognisable early entries among Rafe Spall movies.

Spall plays Noel, Shaun’s irritating young colleague at the electronics shop. His appearance is relatively small, but the character became memorable among fans of Edgar Wright’s horror-comedy.

Spall’s connection to the film also became the beginning of a recurring relationship with Wright’s films. He subsequently appeared in Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, completing appearances across all three films of the so-called Cornetto trilogy.

Hot Fuzz

In Hot Fuzz (2007), Spall has a more substantial role as DC Andy Cartwright.

The film follows Nicholas Angel, played by Simon Pegg, after he is transferred from London to the seemingly peaceful village of Sandford. Cartwright is one of the local police officers and becomes part of the film’s comic ensemble.

The role is an excellent example of Spall’s ability to make a supporting character distinctive without taking attention away from the principal cast.

The World’s End

Spall returned for the third film in Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, The World’s End (2013).

His appearance is much smaller than his roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. He is credited as the Young Man, making this more of a cameo than a conventional supporting performance.

For fans searching specifically for Rafe Spall movies connected to Edgar Wright, the three-film sequence is worth remembering:

• Shaun of the Dead — Noel
• Hot Fuzz — DC Andy Cartwright
• The World’s End — Young Man

One Day

Rafe Spall plays Ian Whitehead in One Day (2011), the romantic drama starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

Ian is Emma Morley’s boyfriend after her relationship with Dexter develops in a different direction. Spall brings a deliberately awkward and uncomfortable quality to the character, making Ian memorable despite not being the romantic lead.

The Guardian’s contemporary coverage described Spall’s performance as scene-stealing, highlighting just how effectively he stood out in the adaptation of David Nicholls’ novel.

Prometheus

Ridley Scott’s Prometheus (2012) gave Spall the opportunity to work in a much larger science-fiction production.

He plays Millburn, a member of the expedition investigating an alien world. The film’s ensemble included Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron and Idris Elba.

It was one of the projects that helped demonstrate that Spall could move comfortably from British comedy into major international productions.

Life of Pi

Spall appeared in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi (2012), playing the Writer.

The film was adapted from Yann Martel’s novel and became one of the most technically ambitious productions of its era. Spall’s part is smaller than some of his later leading roles, but it added another major director and international production to his CV.

I Give It a Year

In I Give It a Year (2013), Spall moved into a leading romantic-comedy role as Josh.

The British comedy follows newlyweds Josh and Nat, played by Spall and Rose Byrne, whose marriage begins to encounter problems almost immediately.

This was an important stage in his career because it placed him at the centre of a feature rather than relying on a supporting appearance.

The Big Short

One of Spall’s most prominent American film roles came in The Big Short (2015).

He plays Danny Moses, a member of the investment team led by Steve Carell’s Mark Baum. The film examines the financial crisis and features an ensemble including Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell and Brad Pitt.

The role showed Spall working effectively in a fast-moving, dialogue-heavy drama rather than a conventional British comedy.

The BFG

Spall appeared in Steven Spielberg’s The BFG (2016) as Mr Tibbs.

The fantasy adventure was adapted from Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s novel and starred Mark Rylance as the titular Big Friendly Giant. Spall’s appearance gave him another opportunity to work in a major family production.

The Ritual

For viewers looking for Rafe Spall in a darker role, The Ritual is one of the strongest choices.

The 2017 horror film follows four friends on a hiking trip into the Swedish wilderness. Spall plays Luke, whose group becomes trapped in an increasingly disturbing situation.

The film is particularly notable because Spall carries much of the emotional weight of the story. Netflix lists him among the principal cast alongside Arsher Ali, Rob James-Collier and Sam Troughton.

One important UK viewing point is that Netflix’s UK page currently indicates that The Ritual is not available to watch in the UK, even though Netflix carries the title in other territories. Streaming libraries can change, so UK viewers should check the current listing before assuming it is available.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Spall joined the Jurassic World franchise in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), playing Eli Mills.

The sequel expanded the story beyond the original park setting and brought Spall into a large-scale blockbuster alongside Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Mills is considerably different from Spall’s sympathetic characters in films such as Trying or One Day, making the film useful for viewers interested in seeing his range.

Men in Black: International

In Men in Black: International (2019), Spall plays Agent C.

The science-fiction action comedy stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson and expands the Men in Black universe beyond the original Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones films.

Just Mercy

Spall appeared in the legal drama Just Mercy (2019) as Tommy Chapman.

The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson and is based on attorney Bryan Stevenson’s work on wrongful-conviction cases.

Long Story Short

The Australian romantic comedy Long Story Short (2021) stars Spall as Teddy.

The unusual premise follows a man who discovers that he is rapidly moving through future stages of his life. It gives Spall another opportunity to combine comedy with a more emotional performance.

Rafe Spall TV shows

Spall’s television work is just as interesting as his film career. His credits include British dramas, period pieces, anthology television, crime dramas and comedy.

Some of the most notable Rafe Spall TV shows are:

• The Rotters’ Club (2005)
• Twisted Tales (2005)
• The Romantics (2006)
• The Chatterley Affair (2006)
• Cracker (2006)
• Wide Sargasso Sea (2006)
• Dracula (2006)
• A Room with a View (2007)
• He Kills Coppers (2008)
• Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me (2008)
• Desperate Romantics (2009)
• Pete Versus Life (2010–2011)
• The Shadow Line (2011)
• Black Mirror (2014)
• Sons of Liberty (2015)
• Roadies (2016)
• The War of the Worlds (2019)
• The Salisbury Poisonings (2020)
• Trying (2020–2026)
• The English (2022)
• Smoke (2025)
• Bait (2026)
• Under Salt Marsh (2026)
• Secret Service (2026)

The current filmography records Spall with more than 70 acting credits across film and television, although the exact number can vary between databases depending on whether television films, shorts, archive footage and other appearances are included.

Rafe Spall and Black Mirror

One of the most frequently searched Rafe Spall TV appearances is Black Mirror.

Spall stars as Joe Potter in the 2014 episode “White Christmas”, one of the anthology series’ darker and most widely discussed episodes.

Unlike a conventional television series, Black Mirror tells a different story with different characters in each episode. That means Spall’s appearance is concentrated in one episode rather than spread across a season.

His performance also earned recognition during awards season, with the British Comedy Guide recording an International Emmy nomination for Best Actor for his work in Black Mirror.

If you are searching for Rafe Spall movies and TV shows Black Mirror, the key information is simple: look for Black Mirror, Season 2, Episode 4, “White Christmas”.

Rafe Spall in Trying

Trying is arguably the most significant television role of Spall’s recent career.

He plays Jason, alongside Esther Smith as Nikki. The British comedy follows the couple as they try to become parents and eventually explore adoption.

The series began in 2020 and developed into a long-running character-driven comedy. Apple identifies Spall and Smith among the show’s principal stars, with Spall playing Jason.

In 2026, Trying reached its fifth season. Apple TV Press lists the Season 5 finale, “WoodScott”, as having premiered on 26 August 2026.

For anyone discovering Spall through his newer work, Trying is one of the best places to start because it gives him considerably more screen time than his supporting film appearances.

Rafe Spall and Kelly Reilly: Under Salt Marsh

A major 2026 project is Under Salt Marsh, a six-part Sky Original crime drama starring Rafe Spall and Kelly Reilly.

Spall plays Detective Eric Bull, while Reilly plays Jackie Ellis, a former detective who has become a primary school teacher. The story is set in the fictional Welsh community of Morfa Halen and centres on a murder investigation complicated by an earlier case.

The series is particularly relevant to searches for Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall movies and TV shows, because the pair lead the drama together.

Under Salt Marsh is available through Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK. Sky states that it is not currently available on Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+.

There is also more to come. In August 2026, Sky confirmed a second six-part chapter, with Spall returning as Detective Eric Bull. The next story moves the character to a remote Scottish mining village for another murder investigation.

Rafe Spall’s 2026 projects

2026 is an especially active period for Spall.

Trying — Season 5

Spall continues as Jason in the fifth season of Trying. The season premiered new episodes through summer 2026, with the finale released on 26 August.

Under Salt Marsh

Spall leads the Sky Original crime drama as Detective Eric Bull opposite Kelly Reilly. The first series consists of six episodes, and Sky has already commissioned a second chapter.

Bait

Spall also appears in the 2026 television project Bait, playing Nigel. Current filmography records list the role among his 2026 credits.

Secret Service

Another 2026 television credit is Secret Service, in which Spall plays Stuart Henderson. The project is listed among his released 2026 acting credits.

Number 10

Spall is also attached to Number 10, a Channel 4 comedy drama written by Steven Moffat.

He plays the Prime Minister in the series, which is set around the famous Downing Street address. Channel 4 announced the cast in December 2025, with Jenna Coleman and Katherine Kelly among the other leading performers.

What are Rafe Spall’s best movies?

If you do not want to work through the entire filmography, these are strong starting points:

For comedy: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and I Give It a Year

For horror: The Ritual

For science fiction: Prometheus and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

For drama: The Big Short, Just Mercy and One Day

For family viewing: The BFG and Get Santa

For British ensemble cinema: The World’s End

His performances are varied enough that the best choice depends heavily on the genre you prefer.

Are Rafe Spall and Timothy Spall related?

Yes. Rafe Spall is the son of British actor Timothy Spall.

The family connection is sometimes the reason people search for Timothy Spall movies and TV shows alongside Rafe’s filmography. However, they have developed separate careers and are not interchangeable in cast searches.

Rafe has established himself independently through projects ranging from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz to The Big Short, The Ritual, Black Mirror and Trying.

Is Rafe Spall in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz?

Yes. Spall appears in both films, but he plays different characters.

In Shaun of the Dead, he plays Noel, Shaun’s young colleague.

In Hot Fuzz, he plays DC Andy Cartwright, one of the police officers in Sandford.

He also appears in The World’s End, completing his appearances across Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy.

Is Rafe Spall in One Day?

Yes. Rafe Spall plays Ian Whitehead in the 2011 film One Day, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

Ian is Emma’s boyfriend and one of the film’s more awkward supporting characters. Spall’s performance is considerably more prominent than his early comedy cameos and is often remembered as one of the film’s standout supporting performances.

Which Rafe Spall films are on Netflix?

Netflix availability depends on the country and changes over time, so a film appearing on Netflix in one market does not mean it is available in the UK.

For example, The Ritual is a Netflix-listed title starring Rafe Spall, but the UK Netflix page currently says the film is unavailable to watch in the UK.

For UK viewers, it is therefore better to search Netflix directly for Rafe Spall rather than rely on an old streaming list. The same applies to searches for Rafe Spall movies and TV shows Netflix: availability should be checked at the time you intend to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rafe Spall’s most famous movie?

There is no single definitive answer, but Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The Big Short, The Ritual and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom are among his best-known films.

What is Rafe Spall’s most famous TV show?

His most prominent television roles include Trying, Black Mirror, The English, The War of the Worlds and Under Salt Marsh. Trying is particularly significant because Spall plays the central character Jason across multiple seasons.

What episode of Black Mirror is Rafe Spall in?

Rafe Spall stars as Joe Potter in “White Christmas”, the fourth episode of Black Mirror‘s second series.

Is Rafe Spall in Hot Fuzz?

Yes. He plays DC Andy Cartwright, a police officer in Sandford.

Is Rafe Spall in Shaun of the Dead?

Yes. He plays Noel, one of Shaun’s colleagues at the electronics shop.

Is Rafe Spall in The World’s End?

Yes. He has a brief appearance credited as Young Man.

Who does Rafe Spall play in One Day?

He plays Ian Whitehead, Emma’s boyfriend in the 2011 film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

What is Rafe Spall doing in 2026?

In 2026, Spall appears in projects including Trying Season 5, Under Salt Marsh, Bait and Secret Service. He is also attached to Number 10, in which he plays the Prime Minister.

The bottom line

Rafe Spall’s career is much broader than his early appearances in British comedy might suggest. He has worked with directors such as Edgar Wright, Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg, appeared in major Hollywood franchises, and developed substantial television roles.

For a quick introduction to Rafe Spall movies and TV shows, start with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz for comedy, One Day for romance and drama, The Big Short for a serious ensemble film, The Ritual for horror, Black Mirror: White Christmas for television drama and Trying for his most sustained comedy role.

In 2026, Under Salt Marsh adds another significant chapter to his career, while his return as Jason in Trying shows that Spall remains just as effective in character-led comedy as he is in crime, horror and drama. With a second Under Salt Marsh chapter already commissioned and Number 10 in the pipeline, his screen career shows no sign of slowing down.