Person
Derek Thompson
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Derek Thompson (born 4 April 1948) is a Northern Irish actor, most notable for playing Charlie Fairhead in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty for 37 yea…
IMDbKnown for
Popular titles
Photos
More stills of Derek Thompson
Biography
A closer look
Read full biography
Derek Thompson (born 4 April 1948) is a Northern Irish actor, most notable for playing Charlie Fairhead in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty for 37 years, from its first episode in 1986 to his final episode in 2024. In 2017, it was revealed that this role has made Thompson the highest paid actor within the BBC with a salary of £350,000-£399,000 per annum. Following his exit from the show, Thompson joined the cast of hit Northern Irish police drama Blue Lights for its second season. Prior to the lead role in Casualty he starred in several films including The Long Good Friday, TV series such as Harry's Game and The Gentle Touch and several celebrated stints at The National Theatre. As a musician, he was also part of a folk duo with his twin sister Elaine in the 1960s. He married the actress Dee Sadler in 1989, having met her filming an episode of Casualty in 1987. Together they have one son, Charlie. He has another son from his previous marriage to his first wife Christine.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
-
2023
Blue Lights
TV show Robin Graham
-
2017
Penny From Heaven
Movie Homeless Man
-
2011
Vera
TV show Gordon Spencer
-
2007
Holby Blue
TV show Charlie Fairhead
-
1999
Holby City
TV show Charlie Fairhead
-
1998
Resurrection Man
Movie Herbie Ferguson
-
1986
Casualty
TV show Charlie Fairhead
-
1986
Fighting Back
Movie Bruce Curran
-
1985
Wild Geese II
Movie Hourigan
-
1985
The Price
TV show Frank Crossan
-
1985
The Price
Movie Frank Crossan
-
1982
Brookside
TV show
-
1982
Harry's Game
TV show Billy Downes
-
1981
Bergerac
TV show Wyatt
-
1980
The Long Good Friday
Movie Jeff
-
1980
Breaking Glass
Movie Andy
More credits
-
1980
The Gentle Touch
TV show DS Jimmy Fenton
-
1979
Minder
TV show Harry
-
1979
Yanks
Movie Ken
-
1979
The Danedyke Mystery
Movie Tom Richards
-
1978
Me! I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Movie Skinner
-
1977
A Photograph
Movie Chet
-
1976
Rock Follies
TV show Harry Moon
-
1965
Gonks Go Beat
Movie Singer (Derek and Elaine)
-
—
Danny Boy
Movie Clive
-
—
The Input Problem
Movie Ted
