
Howard Ward
Biography
Howard has taken leading roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Royal Exchange Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre, The Almeida, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Hampstead and Headlong. Howard’s versatility means he is used for a huge variety of voice projects from cartoons to documentaries.
Howard has been in the original cast of Warhorse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and Oslo, all which originated at the National Theatre, and then transferred to the West End. He was also in the original cast of the multi award winning musical London Road at the National Theatre which was subsequently made into a movie.
He has worked extensively on television, playing Sergeant Willis for two series of Downton Abbey, the Mayor of Weatherfield in Coronation Street, several appearances on EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City, and Doctors. He appeared opposite Martin Clunes in Manhunt, as well as roles in Midsomer Murders and Little Boy Blue.
Howard has appeared in over 50 productions for BBC Radio including two guest appearances on The Archers, and has produced 2 x 90 minute plays for Radio 4 including the Sony award nominated, The Taxman.
He is a regular voice over on TV and radio, having fronted many campaigns including a Nike commercial, which was awarded second place in Campaign magazine’s top ten radio ads. He voiced one of the main characters in the children’s animated series, Underground Ernie (starring Gary Lineker) and he has narrated several series for National Geographic, Discovery Channel and Channel 4.
Known For

TV
Midsomer Murders
Niall Colebrooke
1997

TV
Casualty
Don Kearn
1986

TV
Casualty
Chris Stonall
1986

TV
Andor
Bodega Vendor
2022

TV
Minder
Mark
1979

TV
Father Brown
Mayor Anthony Wood
2013

TV
Downton Abbey
Sergeant Willis
2010

TV
Heartbeat
Eric Grey
1992

TV
Peak Practice
Sgt Eddie Williams
1993

TV
Brassic
Leo
2019

TV
All Creatures Great and Small
Geoffrey Rayner
1978

TV
Bodies
Banker
2023

TV
Manhunt
Det Supt Steve Scott
2019

Film
Cashback
Football Referee
2007
TV
Comedy Blaps
Garrow
2011

TV
Murder Investigation Team
DS Jim Daws
2003

TV
Little Boy Blue
Defence Barrister
2017

Film
The Hide
2008

Film
The Children Act
Roy Whiting
2018

Film
The Broken
Jim
2008
Filmography
2023TVBodiesas Banker2022TVAndoras Bodega Vendor2022FilmGrenfell: Scenes from the Inquiry2019TVBrassicas Leo2019TVManhuntas Det Supt Steve Scott2018FilmThe Winter's Tale - Live at Shakespeare's Globeas Antigonus2018FilmThe Children Actas Roy Whiting2017TVLittle Boy Blueas Defence Barrister2015FilmLady Chatterley's Loveras Betts2015FilmLondon Roadas Terry2013TVFather Brownas Mayor Anthony Wood2012FilmNational Theatre Live: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Timeas Reverend Peters/Rhodri/Uncle Terry/Voice Four/Ensemble2011TVComedy Blapsas Garrow2010TVDownton Abbeyas Sergeant Willis2008FilmThe Brokenas Jim2008FilmThe Hide2007FilmCashbackas Football Referee2005FilmThe Government Inspectoras Mark Ridsdale2003TVMurder Investigation Teamas DS Jim Daws2001FilmLeft Turnas Policeman 12000FilmThis Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripperas Det Supt John Stainthorpe1997TVMidsomer Murdersas Niall Colebrooke1993TVPeak Practiceas Sgt Eddie Williams1992TVHeartbeatas Eric Grey1986TVCasualtyas Don Kearn1979TVMinderas Mark1978TVAll Creatures Great and Smallas Geoffrey Rayner