Ian Burfield is an English actor and writer whose career has spanned television, film, and theatre for several decades. Born on November 9, 1964, in London, England, he has become particularly recognizable for his frequent portrayals of police officers, detectives, and other authoritative figures. His extensive screen credits include appearances in popular British productions such as EastEnders, The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, and Midsomer Murders.
Beyond television, Burfield has also built a substantial film and stage career. He appeared as the Tweed Coat Fingerman in the 2005 film V for Vendetta and has had roles in films including The Krays, Circus, The International, and The Selfish Giant. His theatre work includes performances with the National Theatre company and appearances in West End productions, including One Man, Two Guvnors, as well as involvement in National Theatre Live broadcasts.
Although Ian Burfield has maintained a relatively private personal life, his long-standing presence across major British entertainment productions has established him as a respected character actor. His exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed, while online estimates ranging from approximately $1 million to $5 million remain speculative and unverified. With a career encompassing acclaimed stage productions, television dramas, and feature films, Burfield continues to stand out as a versatile performer within British acting.
Ian Burfield Early Life
Ian Burfield was born on November 9, 1964, in London, England, where he grew up and developed an interest in performance and the creative arts. Details about his childhood, parents, siblings, and early family life have remained largely private, and there is limited publicly available information about his upbringing. This privacy has allowed Burfield to maintain a relatively low profile away from his professional career.
Growing up in England, Burfield was exposed to the country’s longstanding theatrical and television traditions, which would later become central to his professional life. Although specific details about when he first became interested in acting or the experiences that influenced his decision to pursue the profession are not widely documented, his eventual career demonstrates a strong connection to both stage and screen performance.
Burfield ultimately established himself as an actor and writer, developing a career that would take him from theatre productions to prominent British television dramas and feature films. His later association with the National Theatre and appearances in productions across the West End and on television reflected the breadth of his training and experience. While much of his early personal history remains private, his subsequent body of work provides a clearer picture of the professional path he forged in British entertainment.
Ian Burfield Education
Details of Ian Burfield’s formal education have not been widely documented in publicly available biographical sources. Information about the schools he attended, his academic qualifications, and his early educational experiences remains largely private. Unlike some actors whose training histories are extensively recorded, Burfield has maintained a relatively discreet profile regarding his personal background.
His professional development, however, indicates a strong foundation in acting and theatrical performance. Burfield went on to build extensive experience across stage, television, and film, including work with the National Theatre company and performances in West End productions. His stage career, alongside his substantial television and film work, reflects the development of the performance skills required of a versatile character actor.
Rather than being defined by publicly documented academic achievements, Burfield’s professional education can largely be understood through his practical experience in the performing arts. Years of work across major British productions enabled him to develop his craft, particularly in dramatic and character-driven roles. His subsequent appearances in productions such as EastEnders, The Bill, V for Vendetta, and One Man, Two Guvnors demonstrate the depth of experience he accumulated throughout his career.
Ian Burfield Career
Ian Burfield has built a long and varied career as an English actor and writer, working extensively across television, film, and theatre. He became particularly associated with roles involving police officers, detectives, and other authoritative characters, bringing a grounded and convincing presence to dramatic productions. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in numerous British television programmes while also establishing himself as a stage performer.
One of Burfield’s most recognizable television associations is EastEnders, where he appeared in several roles over different periods. He played DI Hamilton in 1997 and later portrayed DI Kelly between 2007 and 2008, returning to the role in 2010. He was also associated with the recurring character Detective Inspector/Detective Chief Inspector Peter Arthurs. His repeated appearances in the long-running BBC soap demonstrated his ability to return to complex dramatic environments and portray authoritative figures convincingly.
Burfield also developed a strong presence in British television drama through appearances in The Bill, where he featured in 12 episodes across various roles. His television credits extend to programmes including Casualty, Holby City, Heartbeat, Robin Hood, Midsomer Murders, and Coronation Street. Working across such a broad range of established British series allowed him to demonstrate his versatility and become a familiar character performer, particularly within crime, police, and procedural dramas.
His film career has further broadened his professional portfolio. Burfield appeared in the 2005 dystopian thriller V for Vendetta, portraying the Tweed Coat Fingerman, and also had roles in films such as The Krays (1990), Circus (2000), The International (2009), and The Selfish Giant (2013). Although many of these were supporting or character roles, they contributed to a filmography that spans crime dramas, thrillers, and critically recognized British cinema.
Theatre has remained another important part of Burfield’s career. He has been a member of the National Theatre company and has appeared in major stage productions, including the West End production One Man, Two Guvnors. He has also been involved in National Theatre Live broadcasts, extending his stage work to audiences beyond the theatre itself. Through his combined work in theatre, television, and film, Burfield has established a durable career characterized by versatility, extensive experience, and a particular strength in memorable supporting and character roles.
Ian Burfield Personal Life and Family
Ian Burfield has maintained a notably private personal life despite his long career in the public eye. Publicly available biographical information indicates that he has been married to a woman named Susan since April 16, 1988. Her full name and professional background have not been widely disclosed, and Burfield has generally kept details of his marriage away from media attention.
Burfield and Susan have three children. However, the names, ages, and occupations of their children have not been reliably documented in prominent public sources. As a result, there is little verified information about his children or wider family, and it would be inappropriate to present unconfirmed names or personal details as fact.
Family life appears to have remained separate from Burfield’s professional identity, with the actor choosing to focus public attention on his work in television, film, and theatre. His long-running marriage and three children are among the few publicly documented aspects of his family life, while other personal matters—including his religious beliefs and more detailed family background—remain private or undisclosed. This discretion has allowed Burfield to maintain a relatively low public profile outside his acting career.
Ian Burfield Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Ian Burfield was born on November 9, 1964, in London, England, and is 61 years old as of 2026. His long career in British television, film, and theatre has extended across several decades, making him an experienced figure in the UK’s performing arts industry.
Burfield is British by nationality and English by background. He was born and raised in England, although detailed information about his ancestry and wider family heritage has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources. His religious beliefs are private, and there are no widely documented public statements or official records confirming his religion or particular faith.
In terms of height and physical appearance, Burfield is approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall. He has an average-to-solid, sturdy build, with dark brown hair that is often worn short and may show natural salt-and-pepper tones. He is described as having light-colored eyes, a defined jawline, and has frequently appeared with light facial hair or stubble. His mature appearance and authoritative presence have complemented the many police and detective characters he has portrayed throughout his acting career.
Ian Burfield Net Worth
Ian Burfield’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, so any figure attached to his wealth should be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed financial statement. Considering his long-running career as a professional actor and writer, his extensive television credits, feature-film appearances, and substantial theatre work, a reasonable estimated net worth is approximately $1 million to $5 million.
The primary source of Burfield’s income has been his acting career. His work includes recurring and guest roles in established British television productions such as EastEnders and The Bill, as well as appearances in films including V for Vendetta and The International. His membership of the National Theatre company and West End performances have also provided additional professional income over the course of his career. Given the number of productions he has worked on across several decades, his cumulative earnings are likely to have been built gradually through acting fees, theatre contracts, television work, and film roles.
Burfield’s estimated wealth may also reflect income from his work as a writer and from the continued value of his extensive professional catalogue. However, there is no reliable public breakdown of his savings, investments, property holdings, royalties, or other assets, making a more precise valuation impossible. Therefore, $1 million–$5 million is best presented as a broad, reasoned estimate based on the longevity and breadth of his career rather than as a verified figure.
Ian Burfield Legacy
Ian Burfield’s legacy is rooted in his longevity and versatility as a character actor within British television, film, and theatre. Over several decades, he has appeared in a wide range of productions, becoming particularly associated with police officers, detectives, and other authoritative figures. His ability to bring credibility and presence to supporting roles has made him a dependable performer across different genres and formats.
His television work, particularly his appearances in EastEnders and The Bill, forms an important part of his professional legacy. Alongside these productions, his credits in Casualty, Holby City, Midsomer Murders, Coronation Street, and other established British programmes demonstrate the breadth of his contribution to the country’s television industry. His film appearances, including V for Vendetta, The International, and The Selfish Giant, further extended his work to international and critically recognized cinema.
Beyond the screen, Burfield’s involvement with the National Theatre and West End productions highlights the importance of theatre to his career. His stage work, including One Man, Two Guvnors and National Theatre Live productions, reflects a performer comfortable moving between intimate theatrical settings and large-scale television and film projects. Ultimately, his legacy is that of a seasoned British character actor whose extensive body of work has contributed to the richness and continuity of the UK’s performing arts.
Conclusion
Ian Burfield’s career reflects the depth and longevity of a dedicated British character actor whose work has extended across television, film, and theatre. From memorable appearances in EastEnders and The Bill to roles in films such as V for Vendetta and The International, he has consistently brought a distinctive and authoritative presence to his performances. His work with the National Theatre and in West End productions further demonstrates his versatility as a performer, while his relatively private personal life has kept the focus firmly on his professional achievements. With decades of experience across some of Britain’s most recognizable productions, Burfield has established a lasting place within the country’s acting landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ian Burfield
Who is Ian Burfield?
Ian Burfield is an English actor and writer best known for his work in British television, film, and theatre. He has appeared in EastEnders, The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, and Midsomer Murders, as well as films including V for Vendetta and The International.
How old is Ian Burfield?
Ian Burfield is 61 years old as of 2026. He was born on November 9, 1964, in London, England.
What is Ian Burfield’s nationality?
Ian Burfield is British and English. He was born in London, England, and has built most of his acting career within the British entertainment industry.
What is Ian Burfield’s net worth?
Ian Burfield’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Based on his decades-long acting and theatre career, his net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million to $5 million, although this range is speculative and should not be considered a verified financial figure.
How tall is Ian Burfield?
Ian Burfield is approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall.
What is Ian Burfield famous for?
Ian Burfield is particularly known for portraying police officers, detectives, and authoritative characters. His notable television work includes several appearances in EastEnders and The Bill, while his film credits include V for Vendetta.
What role did Ian Burfield play in EastEnders?
Ian Burfield has played several roles in EastEnders. His appearances include DI Hamilton in 1997, DI Kelly from 2007 to 2008 and again in 2010, as well as the recurring character Detective Inspector/Detective Chief Inspector Peter Arthurs.
How many episodes of The Bill did Ian Burfield appear in?
Ian Burfield appeared in 12 episodes of The Bill, portraying various roles during the long-running British police drama.
What films has Ian Burfield appeared in?
Ian Burfield’s film credits include The Krays (1990), Circus (2000), V for Vendetta (2005), The International (2009), and The Selfish Giant (2013).
Is Ian Burfield married?
Yes. Ian Burfield has been married to Susan since April 16, 1988. The couple have three children, although further details about his wife and children have largely remained private.
Does Ian Burfield have children?
Yes. Ian Burfield and his wife, Susan, have three children. Their names and personal details have not been widely disclosed publicly.
What is Ian Burfield’s religion?
Ian Burfield’s religion is not publicly known. He has kept his personal religious beliefs private, and there is no reliable public record confirming a particular faith.
Where was Ian Burfield born?
Ian Burfield was born in London, England, United Kingdom, on November 9, 1964.
Is Ian Burfield still acting?
Ian Burfield has had a long-standing career in acting across television, film, and theatre. His professional work includes appearances with the National Theatre and performances in West End productions, alongside his extensive screen credits.