
William Maxwell
Biography
William was born in Liverpool and relocated to Oldham when he was nine years old. His stage career includes portraying Toby Belch in Twelfth Night for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Valk in The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs, and the roles of Snawley and Tompkins in Nicholas Nickleby, performed in both London and New York. He also appeared as the Club Secretary in Comedians at the Old Vic Theatre, alongside the legendary Jimmy Jewel. In addition, Bill created and performed a one-man show based on the work of Brendan Behan.
On television, he played the Duke of Cleves in The Wives of Henry VIII, Sergeant Petty in The Case of the Frightened Lady, and Crookes in Strangers. His television credits also include appearances in Coronation Street, The Dustbin Men, Z Cars, When the Boat Comes In, Funnyman, Softly, Softly, Dempsey and Makepeace, and Brookside.
His film work includes roles in The Ploughman's Lunch, Cicero, Blood Beast Terror, and The Witchfinder General.
Known For

TV
Playhouse
Mike
1974

TV
Bergerac
Chivers
1981

TV
Crown Court
Detective Sergeant Hawes
1972

TV
Not Going Out
Derek
2006

TV
Budgie
Yorkshire Supporter
1971

TV
Strangers
Crookes
1978

TV
The Basil Brush Show
Electric Man
2002

TV
The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Duke Wilhelm of Cleves
1970

TV
The Corridor People
Sgt. Hound
1966

Film
Provoked: A True Story
Judge Swinton Thomas
2007

Film
The Ploughman's Lunch
Journalist
1983

Film
Brothers in Trouble
Doctor
1995

Film
Pews
Mike
1980

Film
There's a Hole in Your Dustbin, Delilah
Coalman
1968

Film
Baby Love
Reporter
1974
Film
Grass
Joe
1982

Film
One Bummer News Day
Peter Postgate
1978

Film
The Case of the Frightened Lady
Sergeant Totty
1983

Film
Justice - Uncle Sangi
Neighbour
1979
Filmography
2007FilmProvoked: A True Storyas Judge Swinton Thomas2006TVNot Going Outas Derek2002TVThe Basil Brush Showas Electric Man1995FilmBrothers in Troubleas Doctor1983FilmThe Ploughman's Lunchas Journalist1983FilmThe Case of the Frightened Ladyas Sergeant Totty1982FilmGrassas Joe1981TVBergeracas Chivers1980FilmPewsas Mike1979FilmJustice - Uncle Sangias Neighbour1978FilmOne Bummer News Dayas Peter Postgate1978TVStrangersas Crookes1974FilmBaby Loveas Reporter1974TVPlayhouseas Mike1972TVCrown Courtas Detective Sergeant Hawes1971TVBudgieas Yorkshire Supporter1970TVThe Six Wives of Henry VIIIas Duke Wilhelm of Cleves1968FilmThere's a Hole in Your Dustbin, Delilahas Coalman1966TVThe Corridor Peopleas Sgt. Hound