
Donald Sumpter
Biography
Donald Sumpter (born 13 February 1943) is an English actor. He has appeared in film and television since the mid-1960s. One of his early television appearances was the 1968 Doctor Who serial The Wheel in Space with Patrick Troughton as the Doctor. He appeared in Doctor Who again in the 1972 serial The Sea Devils with Jon Pertwee. He also appeared in the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. His early film work included a lead role as real life British criminal Donald Neilson in the 1977 film, The Black Panther.
He also appeared in many television films and serials, including adaptations of Dickens' novels: Nicholas Nickleby in 2001, Great Expectations in 1999 and Bleak House in 1985. Also in 1985, he was remembered for the part of villain Ronnie Day in Big Deal. He played the part of suspected serial killer Alexander Bonaparte Cust in the (1992) Agatha Christie's Poirot episode, The ABC Murders. He has also appeared in episodes of Midsomer Murders, The Bill, Holby City, and A Touch of Frost. He also had a recurring role as Uncle Ginger in the Children's BBC series The Queen's Nose. He played Harold Chapple in Our Friends in the North, and portrayed the physicist Max Planck in Einstein and Eddington. He has also been seen as Kemp in the horror-drama series Being Human. In 2011 he portrayed Maester Luwin in the HBO series Game of Thrones.
His film appearances include The Constant Gardener (2005), K-19: The Widowmaker (2002), Enigma (2001) and Ultramarines: The Movie (2010).
Filmography

The Phoenician Scheme
2025
as Chairman

Limonov: The Ballad
2024
as Eddie's Father

The Man Who Invented Christmas
2017
as Haddock / Ghost of Marley

In the Heart of the Sea
2015
as Paul Macy

Coalition
2015
as Paddy Ashdown

Bypass
2014
as Grandfather

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2011
as Detective Inspector Gustaf Morell

The Murder at Road Hill House
2011
as Peter Edlin QC

Way of the Morris
2011
as Voice of Creation

Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie
2010
as Pythol (voice)

London Boulevard
2010
as Pentonville Governor

Among Us
2010
as Man on bench

Into the Storm
2009
as Lord Halifax

Einstein and Eddington
2008
as Max Planck

Hello Sailor!
2008
- No poster
Heist
2008
as King Edward

Eastern Promises
2007
as Yuri

Dracula
2006
as Alfred Singleton

The Chatterley Affair
2006
as Mr. Gerald Gardiner

Anatomy of a Global Thriller: Behind the Scenes of The Constant Gardener
2006
as Self

The Constant Gardener
2005
as Tim Donohue

The Long Bank Holiday
2004
as Alfie Clemens

K-19: The Widowmaker
2002
as Dr. Savran

The Point Men
2001
as Benni Baum