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{{Infobox person
{{short description|English actor, screenwriter, director and film producer}}
| name = Ray Burdis
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|8|23|df=y}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2020}}
| birth_place = London, England
| years_active = 1972 - Present
| organization = Actor, Director, Producer
| relatives = [[Mark Burdis]] (Brother)
}}
'''Ray Burdis''' (born 23 August 1958 in [[London]]) is an [[England|English]] [[actor]], [[screenwriter]], [[Film director|director]] and [[film producer]].
'''Ray Burdis''' (born 23 August 1958 in [[London]]) is an [[England|English]] [[actor]], [[screenwriter]], [[Film director|director]] and [[film producer]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Burdis started acting at eleven years old when he attended drama school and trained at the [[Anna Scher Theatre]] in [[Islington]], [[Greater London]]. He appeared in an episode of the classic [[BBC]] [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'' when he was fifteen, but his first major role was at the age of sixteen, in the [[Thames Television]] series ''You Must Be Joking! '', which he also co-created and wrote. He also starred with [[Phil Daniels]] in ''Four Idle Hands''.
Burdis started acting at eleven years old when he attended drama school and trained at the [[Anna Scher Theatre]] in [[Islington]], [[Greater London]]. In 1972, he made his screen debut in ''The Trouble with 2B'' by the [[Children's Film Foundation]], a film featuring the expoits of a class of schoolchildren and their science teacher Mr. Potter ([[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Trouble with 2B |url=https://letterboxd.com/film/the-trouble-with-2b-part-one-happy-days/ |website=Letterbox DVD}}</ref> Later in 1974, he appeared in a minor role in a episode of the classic [[BBC]] [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Steptoe and Son]]'', but his first major acting role was at the age of sixteen, in the [[Thames Television]] series ''You Must Be Joking! '', which he also co-created and wrote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=You Must Be Joking! |url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1970s/must-joking/ |website=Nostalgia Central}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2013 |title=You Must Be Joking!: The Complete Series |url=https://hmv.com/store/film-tv/dvd/you-must-be-joking!-the-complete-series |website=HMV}}</ref> He also starred with [[Phil Daniels]] in ''4 Idle Hands''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=4 Idle Hands |url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/television/tv-by-decade/tv-shows-1970s/4-idle-hands/ |website=Nostalgia Central}}</ref>


In 1978 Burdis auditioned for a presenting job on the BBC children's program [[Blue Peter]] as a replacement for [[John Noakes]]. Richard Marson's book celebrating the show's fiftieth-anniversary records this fact, and the film of the audition was shown at a BAFTA celebration in October 2008.
In 1978 Burdis auditioned for a presenting job on the BBC children's program [[Blue Peter]] as a replacement for [[John Noakes]]. Richard Marson's book celebrating the show's fiftieth-anniversary records this fact,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marson |first=Richard |title=Blue Peter 50th Anniversary: The story of television's longest-running children's programme |publisher=Hamlyn |year=2008 |isbn=9780600617938 |edition=1st |location=London, UK |language=English}}</ref> and the film of the audition was shown at a BAFTA celebration in October 2008.


Burdis played the part of cowardly inmate Eckersley in the controversial movie ''[[Scum (film)|Scum]]'' in 1979. He had played the same role two years earlier in a BBC television version of the story, although this was not transmitted for many years due to its graphic nature, hence the cinematic re-make.
Burdis played the part of cowardly inmate Eckersley in the controversial movie ''[[Scum (film)|Scum]]'' in 1979. He had played the same role two years earlier in a BBC television version of the story, although this was not transmitted until 1991 due to its graphic nature, hence the cinematic re-make.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hobday |first=John |title=Scum! (1977) |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439310/index.html |website=BFI Screenonline}}</ref>
He appeared in [[Mary's Wife]] in 1980.
He appeared as Kevin, in the ''[[BBC2 Playhouse]]'' story ''Mary's Wife'' in 1980.


Burdis appeared in the ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' episodes "Not a Bad Lad, Dad" and "Hypnotising Rita" and played Joe in the musical drama ''[[The Music Machine (film)|The Music Machine]]'' (1979). He later had a small role alongside [[Daniel Day-Lewis]] in the film ''[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]'' (1982).
Burdis appeared in the ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' episodes "Not a Bad Lad, Dad" and "Hypnotising Rita" and played Joe in the musical drama ''[[The Music Machine (film)|The Music Machine]]'' (1979). He later had a small role alongside [[Daniel Day-Lewis]] in the film ''[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]'' (1982).


Burdis then played a supporting role as Richard, a gay neighbour in [[Channel 4]]'s short-lived sitcom ''[[Dream Stuffing]]'' in 1984. After this, he played ambitious [[photographer]] Nick Tyler in the BBC comedy ''[[Three Up, Two Down]]''. His character was the son and son-in-law, respectively, of the two lead characters, played by [[Michael Elphick]] and [[Angela Thorne]]. The series rated over 17 million viewers and went on for 4 series. Also in 1984, Burdis appeared in an episode of ''[[The Gentle Touch]]'', entitled "Do It Yourself", as a man with a learning disability.
Burdis then played a supporting role as Richard, a gay neighbour in [[Channel 4]]'s short-lived sitcom ''[[Dream Stuffing]]'' in 1984. Later that year, Burdis appeared in an episode of ''[[The Gentle Touch]]'', entitled "Do It Yourself", as a man with a learning disability. In 1985, he played ambitious [[photographer]] Nick Tyler in the BBC comedy ''[[Three Up, Two Down]]''. His character was the son and son-in-law, respectively, of the two lead characters, played by [[Michael Elphick]] and [[Angela Thorne]], the series went on for four series which were produced between 1985-1989.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Three Up, Two Down |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/three_up_two_down/ |website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>


He went forward to produce the feature films ''[[The Passion of Darkly Noon]]'', starring [[Brendan Fraser]] and [[Ashley Judd]], and ''[[The Reflecting Skin]]'' starring [[Viggo Mortensen]] and [[Lindsay Duncan]].
He went forward to produce the feature films ''[[The Passion of Darkly Noon]]'', starring [[Brendan Fraser]] and [[Ashley Judd]], and ''[[The Reflecting Skin]]'' starring [[Viggo Mortensen]] and [[Lindsay Duncan]].


Burdis has subsequently concentrated more on writing, producing and directing. He was the producer of ''[[The Krays (film)|The Krays]]'' (1990),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/profile-ray-burdis-britflick-productions/4042447.article|title=Profile: Ray Burdis' Britflick Productions|last=Cooper2008-12-19T00:00:00+00:00|first=Contributing Editor Sarah|website=Screen|language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref> and also co-wrote-produced and directed the movies ''[[Final Cut (1998 film)|Final Cut]]'' (1998) and ''[[Love, Honour and Obey]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/love-honour-and-obey|title=Love, Honour and Obey|website=Time Out London|date=10 September 2012 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref> (2000). He also created, co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in the television police fly on the wall docu-comedy ''[[Operation Good Guys]]'' for three series. The series was awarded the Silver Rose for Best Sitcom and the Prix de la Presse, voted for by the International Press, at the [[Rose_d%27Or|Montreux Golden Rose Festival]].
Burdis has subsequently concentrated more on writing, producing and directing. He was the producer of ''[[The Krays (film)|The Krays]]'' (1990),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Sarah |date=December 9, 2008 |title=Profile: Ray Burdis' Britflick Productions |url=https://www.screendaily.com/profile-ray-burdis-britflick-productions/4042447.article |access-date=2020-03-28 |website=Screen Daily |language=en}}</ref> and also co-wrote-produced and directed the movies ''[[Final Cut (1998 film)|Final Cut]]'' (1998) and ''[[Love, Honour and Obey]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/love-honour-and-obey|title=Love, Honour and Obey|website=Time Out London|date=10 September 2012 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref> (2000). He also created, co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in the television police fly on the wall docu-comedy ''[[Operation Good Guys]]'' for three series. The series was awarded the Silver Rose for Best Sitcom and the Prix de la Presse, voted for by the International Press, at the [[Rose_d%27Or|Montreux Golden Rose Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Swart |first=Sharon |date=April 30, 1988 |title=Roses bloom for TV |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/roses-bloom-for-tv-1117470296/ |work=Variety}}</ref>


He appeared in the BBC Two comedy-drama series ''[[Manchild (TV series)|Manchild]]'' for two seasons, along with [[Nigel Havers]], [[Anthony Head]] and [[Don Warrington]].
He appeared in the BBC Two comedy-drama series ''[[Manchild (TV series)|Manchild]]'' for two seasons, along with [[Nigel Havers]], [[Anthony Head]] and [[Don Warrington]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchild |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/manchild/ |website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>


In 2013 Ray Burdis wrote and directed the film, ''[[The Wee Man]]'' starring Martin Compston and [[John_Hannah_(actor)|John Hannah]], which won two [[BAFTA_Scotland|Scottish BAFTAs]]. In 2014 Ray wrote and directed the film ''Angel'' released in the spring of 2015 by Carnaby Films.
In 2013 Ray Burdis wrote and directed the film, ''[[The Wee Man]]'' starring Martin Compston and [[John_Hannah_(actor)|John Hannah]], which won two [[BAFTA_Scotland|Scottish BAFTAs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards and Festivals: The Wee Man |url=https://mubi.com/en/films/the-wee-man/awards |website=MUBI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Brian |date=March 21, 2013 |title=Daniel Kerr gets BAFTA honour for Wee Man role |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/daniel-kerr-gets-bafta-honour-for-wee-man-role-1584164 |work=The Scotsman}}</ref> In 2014 Ray wrote and directed the film ''Angel'' released in the spring of 2015 by Carnaby Films.

Ray is currently developing a wide genre of TV and Theatrical films. ''[[To Be Someone (film)]]'', described in IMDb as "A lighthearted adventure movie set in the world of Mods", was shot in Oct of 2020 and is to be released in 2021. He also has completed the film Miss The Kiss, starring Charlie Clapham, John Hannah, and [[Martin Kemp]], to be released in the Autumn of 2023. Ray's next project in the director's chair is ''Last Tandem in Paris'', production started in Brussels in March of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-who-2-1198663|title=Director of new 'Quadrophenia' film slammed by The Who defends his movie|date=2016-06-20|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/quadrophenia-sequel-director-snubs-whos-8192128|title=Quadrophenia sequel director snubs The Who's 'over-exposed' music|last=Hope|first=Hannah|date=2016-06-14|website=mirror|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
In 2021, he directed and wrote, ''[[To Be Someone (film)]]'', described by its distributors "a feel-good tale of modern-day mods, music, and scooter culture from the creator of ''The Krays, The Wee Man'' and ''Love, Honor and Obey'' and starring the original cast of the iconic, cult mods n’ rockers film, ''[[Quadrophenia (film)|Quadrophenia]]."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=To Be Someone |url=https://kaleidoscopefilmdistribution.com/films/to-be-someone/ |website=Kaleidoscope Film Distribution}}</ref> It was filmed during 2019-20 and subsequently released on the 9th July 2021. The film attacted negative reviews, Steve Rose noted "nothing really convinces or makes sense in this corny, amateurish nostalgia trip"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=July 6, 2021 |title=To Be Someone review – a Guy Ritchie ripoff two decades past its sell-by date |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/06/to-be-someone-review |work=The Guardian}}</ref>, Mark Kermode described it as "a bunch of second stringers from ''Quadrophenia'' doing sub Guy Ritchie schtick."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kermode |first=Mark |date=July 9, 2021 |title=To Be Someone reviewed by Mark Kermode |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09ny9fb |website=BBC Radio 5 Live}}</ref> Whilst conversely Keith Haldon noted "it’s British at its very core and it’s a reminder that no matter the budget nobody does it better than us. Burdis has assembled a great cast that, if you’re looking for that ''Quadrophenia'' nostalgia."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haldon |first=Keith |date=August 8, 2021 |title=To Be Someone, review |url=https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2021/08/12/to-be-someone-review/ |work=The Nerdly}}</ref> Burdis later stated in an interview that he never intended for the film to be in the style of ''Quadrophenia (1979)'' and shouldn't have been taken too seriously.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mark |first=GingerBeard |date=September 11, 2022 |title=Interviewing Ray Burdis |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l8te4iB67I&ab_channel=GingerBeardMark |website=YouTube}}</ref>

Burdis is currently developing a wide genre of TV and Theatrical films. He also has completed the film Miss The Kiss, starring Charlie Clapham, John Hannah, and [[Martin Kemp]], to be released in the Autumn of 2023. Ray's next project in the director's chair is ''Last Tandem in Paris'', production started in Brussels in March of 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-who-2-1198663|title=Director of new 'Quadrophenia' film slammed by The Who defends his movie|date=2016-06-20|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/quadrophenia-sequel-director-snubs-whos-8192128|title=Quadrophenia sequel director snubs The Who's 'over-exposed' music|last=Hope|first=Hannah|date=2016-06-14|website=mirror|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |SELECTED ACTING ROLES
|-
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1972
|''The Trouble with 2B''
|Todd
|Film
|-
| rowspan="3" |1974
|''[[Steptoe and Son|Steptoe & Son]]''
|Teenager
|Episode: "Porn Yesterday"
|-
|''[[Play for Today]]''
|Danny Price
|"Eleanor"
|-
|''[[The Tomorrow People]]''
|Johnson
|"The Blue and the Green" (3 episodes)
|-
|1975-6
|''You Must Be Joking!''
|Various
|6 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" |1976
|''4 Idle Hands''
|Pete Sutton
|6 episodes
|-
|''[[Pressure (1976 film)|Pressure]]''
|Dave
|Film
|-
| rowspan="4" |1977
|''Headmaster''
|Wilf Farley
|1 episode
|-
|''[[Nicholas Nickleby (1977 TV series)|Nicholas Nickleby]]''
|Master Cummins
|1 episode (mini series)
|-
|''Play for Today''
|Eckersley
|"[[Scum (television play)|Scum!]]"
|-
|''The Sunday Drama''
|Zack
|"A Good Story"
|-
| rowspan="2" |1978
|''The Tomorrow People''
|Blitz
|"Hitler's Last Stand" (2 episodes)
|-
|''Twenty Times More Likely''
|Alan
|Short film
|-
| rowspan="3" |1979
|''[[Graham's Gang]]''
|Russ
|1 episode
|-
|''[[The Music Machine (film)|The Music Machine]]''
|Joe
|Film
|-
|''[[Scum (film)|Scum!]]''
|Eckersley
|Film
|-
| rowspan="4" |1980
|''[[BBC2 Playhouse]]''
|Kevin
|"Mary's Wife"
|-
|''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''
|Disco Youth
|"Not a Bad Lad, Dad"
|-
|''Play for Today''
|Dunning
|"The Vanishing Army"
|-
|''[[The Professionals (TV series)|The Professionals]]''
|Vince
|Episode: "Weekend in the Country"
|-
| rowspan="3" |1981
|''Going Out''
|Rick Tinnersley
|5 episodes
|-
|''[[Triangle (1981 TV series)|Triangle]]''
|Wolcott
|4 episodes
|-
|''Wolcott''
|PC Brock
|2 episodes
|-
|1982
|''[[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]]''
|Youth
|Film
|-
|1983
|''[[The Baker Street Boys]]''
|PC Boot
|2 episodes
|-
|1983-4
|''Now and Then''
|Randall
|13 episodes
|-
| rowspan="4" |1984
|''[[Dream Stuffing]]''
|Richard
|10 episodes
|-
|''Minder''
|Jimmy Randall
|"Hypnotising Rita"
|-
|''[[The Gentle Touch]]''
|Joey Felix
|Episode: Do It Yourself
|-
|''[[The Kit Curran Radio Show]]''
|Ray
|Episode: Bread and Circuses
|-
|1985
|''[[C.A.T.S. Eyes]]''
|Mike
|Episode: The Double Dutch Deal
|-
|1985-9
|''[[Three Up, Two Down]]''
|Nick Tyler
|25 episodes
|-
|1994
|''[[Death Machine]]''
|Dead Diner
|Film
|-
|1997-2000
|''[[Operation Good Guys]]''
|DS Ash
|19 episodes
|-
|1998
|''[[Final Cut (1998 film)|Final Cut]]''
|Burdis
|Film
|-
| rowspan="2" |2000
|''[[Love, Honour and Obey]]''
|Ray
|Film
|-
|''[[Urban Gothic (TV series)|Urban Gothic]]''
|The Colonel
|Episode: The Boy's Club
|-
|2002-3
|''[[Manchild (TV series)|Manchild]]''
|Gary
|4 episodes
|-
|2003
|''[[The Afternoon Play]]''
|Arnie Griffin
|"The Real Arnie Griffin"
|-
|2004
|''[[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]]''
|Alan 'Dusty' Binns
|Episode: "Fallen Hero"
|-
|2005
|''[[My Hero (British TV series)|My Hero]]''
|Detective Symes
|Episode: "Nothing to Hide'
|-
|2021
|''[[To Be Someone]]''
|Dickson
|Film
|-
|2024
|Miss the Kiss
|Detective Burke
|''Currently in Post Production''
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="4" |DIRECTOR/ PRODUCER/ WRITER ROLES
|-
!Year
!Film
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1975-6
|''You Must Be Joking!''
|Writer, Co-Creator
|6 episodes
|-
|1979
|''You Can't Be Serious''
|Writer
|
|-
|1987
|''Visiting Mr. Beak''
|Exectuve Producer
|Short film
|-
| rowspan="2" |1988
|''[[The Fear (1988 TV series)|The Fear]]''
|Writer
|5 episodes
|-
|''The Universe of Dermot Finn''
|Co-Producer
|Short film
|-
| rowspan="2" |1990
|''[[The Krays (film)|The Krays]]''
|Producer
|
|-
|''[[The Reflecting Skin]]''
|Producer
|
|-
|1993-4
|''The Spooks of Bottle Bay''
|Producer
|18 episodes
|-
|1994
|''Death Machine''
|Co-Producer
|
|-
|1995
|''[[The Passion of Darkly Noon]]''
|Exectuve Producer
|
|-
|1997-2000
|''Operation Good Guys''
|Director, Producer
|19 episodes
|-
|1998
|''Final Cut''
|Director, Producer, Writer
|
|-
|2000
|''Love, Honour and Obey''
|Director, Producer, Writer
|
|-
|2013
|''[[The Wee Man]]''
|Director, Writer
|
|-
|2015
|''Angel''
|Director, Writer
|
|-
|2021
|''To Be Somebody''
|Director, Producer, Writer
|
|-
|2022
|''Kick Out the Jams: The Story of XFM''
|Director
|Documentary
|-
| rowspan="2" |2024
|''Last Kings of London''
|Director, Writer
|''Currently in Post Production''
|-
|''Miss the Kiss''
|Director, Writer
|''Currently in Post Production''
|}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Line 32: Line 349:


==External links==
==External links==
* http://www.boredteenagers.co.uk/GREAT%20BRITISH%20HEROES.htm G B H Rock band
* {{IMDb name|0120987}}
* {{IMDb name|0120987}}
* [https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/ray_burdis/ Ray Burdis] at [[British Comedy Guide]]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 10:55, 29 April 2024

Ray Burdis
Born (1958-08-23) 23 August 1958 (age 66)
London, England
Years active1972 - Present
Organization(s)Actor, Director, Producer
RelativesMark Burdis (Brother)

Ray Burdis (born 23 August 1958 in London) is an English actor, screenwriter, director and film producer.

Biography

Burdis started acting at eleven years old when he attended drama school and trained at the Anna Scher Theatre in Islington, Greater London. In 1972, he made his screen debut in The Trouble with 2B by the Children's Film Foundation, a film featuring the expoits of a class of schoolchildren and their science teacher Mr. Potter (Richard Wilson).[1] Later in 1974, he appeared in a minor role in a episode of the classic BBC sitcom Steptoe and Son, but his first major acting role was at the age of sixteen, in the Thames Television series You Must Be Joking! , which he also co-created and wrote.[2][3] He also starred with Phil Daniels in 4 Idle Hands.[4]

In 1978 Burdis auditioned for a presenting job on the BBC children's program Blue Peter as a replacement for John Noakes. Richard Marson's book celebrating the show's fiftieth-anniversary records this fact,[5] and the film of the audition was shown at a BAFTA celebration in October 2008.

Burdis played the part of cowardly inmate Eckersley in the controversial movie Scum in 1979. He had played the same role two years earlier in a BBC television version of the story, although this was not transmitted until 1991 due to its graphic nature, hence the cinematic re-make.[6] He appeared as Kevin, in the BBC2 Playhouse story Mary's Wife in 1980.

Burdis appeared in the Minder episodes "Not a Bad Lad, Dad" and "Hypnotising Rita" and played Joe in the musical drama The Music Machine (1979). He later had a small role alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in the film Gandhi (1982).

Burdis then played a supporting role as Richard, a gay neighbour in Channel 4's short-lived sitcom Dream Stuffing in 1984. Later that year, Burdis appeared in an episode of The Gentle Touch, entitled "Do It Yourself", as a man with a learning disability. In 1985, he played ambitious photographer Nick Tyler in the BBC comedy Three Up, Two Down. His character was the son and son-in-law, respectively, of the two lead characters, played by Michael Elphick and Angela Thorne, the series went on for four series which were produced between 1985-1989.[7]

He went forward to produce the feature films The Passion of Darkly Noon, starring Brendan Fraser and Ashley Judd, and The Reflecting Skin starring Viggo Mortensen and Lindsay Duncan.

Burdis has subsequently concentrated more on writing, producing and directing. He was the producer of The Krays (1990),[8] and also co-wrote-produced and directed the movies Final Cut (1998) and Love, Honour and Obey[9] (2000). He also created, co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in the television police fly on the wall docu-comedy Operation Good Guys for three series. The series was awarded the Silver Rose for Best Sitcom and the Prix de la Presse, voted for by the International Press, at the Montreux Golden Rose Festival.[10]

He appeared in the BBC Two comedy-drama series Manchild for two seasons, along with Nigel Havers, Anthony Head and Don Warrington.[11]

In 2013 Ray Burdis wrote and directed the film, The Wee Man starring Martin Compston and John Hannah, which won two Scottish BAFTAs.[12][13] In 2014 Ray wrote and directed the film Angel released in the spring of 2015 by Carnaby Films.

In 2021, he directed and wrote, To Be Someone (film), described by its distributors "a feel-good tale of modern-day mods, music, and scooter culture from the creator of The Krays, The Wee Man and Love, Honor and Obey and starring the original cast of the iconic, cult mods n’ rockers film, Quadrophenia."[14] It was filmed during 2019-20 and subsequently released on the 9th July 2021. The film attacted negative reviews, Steve Rose noted "nothing really convinces or makes sense in this corny, amateurish nostalgia trip"[15], Mark Kermode described it as "a bunch of second stringers from Quadrophenia doing sub Guy Ritchie schtick."[16] Whilst conversely Keith Haldon noted "it’s British at its very core and it’s a reminder that no matter the budget nobody does it better than us. Burdis has assembled a great cast that, if you’re looking for that Quadrophenia nostalgia."[17] Burdis later stated in an interview that he never intended for the film to be in the style of Quadrophenia (1979) and shouldn't have been taken too seriously.[18]

Burdis is currently developing a wide genre of TV and Theatrical films. He also has completed the film Miss The Kiss, starring Charlie Clapham, John Hannah, and Martin Kemp, to be released in the Autumn of 2023. Ray's next project in the director's chair is Last Tandem in Paris, production started in Brussels in March of 2024.[19][20]

Filmography

SELECTED ACTING ROLES
Year Title Role Notes
1972 The Trouble with 2B Todd Film
1974 Steptoe & Son Teenager Episode: "Porn Yesterday"
Play for Today Danny Price "Eleanor"
The Tomorrow People Johnson "The Blue and the Green" (3 episodes)
1975-6 You Must Be Joking! Various 6 episodes
1976 4 Idle Hands Pete Sutton 6 episodes
Pressure Dave Film
1977 Headmaster Wilf Farley 1 episode
Nicholas Nickleby Master Cummins 1 episode (mini series)
Play for Today Eckersley "Scum!"
The Sunday Drama Zack "A Good Story"
1978 The Tomorrow People Blitz "Hitler's Last Stand" (2 episodes)
Twenty Times More Likely Alan Short film
1979 Graham's Gang Russ 1 episode
The Music Machine Joe Film
Scum! Eckersley Film
1980 BBC2 Playhouse Kevin "Mary's Wife"
Minder Disco Youth "Not a Bad Lad, Dad"
Play for Today Dunning "The Vanishing Army"
The Professionals Vince Episode: "Weekend in the Country"
1981 Going Out Rick Tinnersley 5 episodes
Triangle Wolcott 4 episodes
Wolcott PC Brock 2 episodes
1982 Gandhi Youth Film
1983 The Baker Street Boys PC Boot 2 episodes
1983-4 Now and Then Randall 13 episodes
1984 Dream Stuffing Richard 10 episodes
Minder Jimmy Randall "Hypnotising Rita"
The Gentle Touch Joey Felix Episode: Do It Yourself
The Kit Curran Radio Show Ray Episode: Bread and Circuses
1985 C.A.T.S. Eyes Mike Episode: The Double Dutch Deal
1985-9 Three Up, Two Down Nick Tyler 25 episodes
1994 Death Machine Dead Diner Film
1997-2000 Operation Good Guys DS Ash 19 episodes
1998 Final Cut Burdis Film
2000 Love, Honour and Obey Ray Film
Urban Gothic The Colonel Episode: The Boy's Club
2002-3 Manchild Gary 4 episodes
2003 The Afternoon Play Arnie Griffin "The Real Arnie Griffin"
2004 Casualty Alan 'Dusty' Binns Episode: "Fallen Hero"
2005 My Hero Detective Symes Episode: "Nothing to Hide'
2021 To Be Someone Dickson Film
2024 Miss the Kiss Detective Burke Currently in Post Production
DIRECTOR/ PRODUCER/ WRITER ROLES
Year Film Role Notes
1975-6 You Must Be Joking! Writer, Co-Creator 6 episodes
1979 You Can't Be Serious Writer
1987 Visiting Mr. Beak Exectuve Producer Short film
1988 The Fear Writer 5 episodes
The Universe of Dermot Finn Co-Producer Short film
1990 The Krays Producer
The Reflecting Skin Producer
1993-4 The Spooks of Bottle Bay Producer 18 episodes
1994 Death Machine Co-Producer
1995 The Passion of Darkly Noon Exectuve Producer
1997-2000 Operation Good Guys Director, Producer 19 episodes
1998 Final Cut Director, Producer, Writer
2000 Love, Honour and Obey Director, Producer, Writer
2013 The Wee Man Director, Writer
2015 Angel Director, Writer
2021 To Be Somebody Director, Producer, Writer
2022 Kick Out the Jams: The Story of XFM Director Documentary
2024 Last Kings of London Director, Writer Currently in Post Production
Miss the Kiss Director, Writer Currently in Post Production

Personal life

He is the older brother of the British actor, Mark Burdis.

References

  1. ^ "The Trouble with 2B". Letterbox DVD.
  2. ^ "You Must Be Joking!". Nostalgia Central.
  3. ^ "You Must Be Joking!: The Complete Series". HMV. May 29, 2013.
  4. ^ "4 Idle Hands". Nostalgia Central.
  5. ^ Marson, Richard (2008). Blue Peter 50th Anniversary: The story of television's longest-running children's programme (1st ed.). London, UK: Hamlyn. ISBN 9780600617938.
  6. ^ Hobday, John. "Scum! (1977)". BFI Screenonline.
  7. ^ "Three Up, Two Down". British Comedy Guide.
  8. ^ Cooper, Sarah (December 9, 2008). "Profile: Ray Burdis' Britflick Productions". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  9. ^ "Love, Honour and Obey". Time Out London. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  10. ^ Swart, Sharon (April 30, 1988). "Roses bloom for TV". Variety.
  11. ^ "Manchild". British Comedy Guide.
  12. ^ "Awards and Festivals: The Wee Man". MUBI.
  13. ^ Ferguson, Brian (March 21, 2013). "Daniel Kerr gets BAFTA honour for Wee Man role". The Scotsman.
  14. ^ "To Be Someone". Kaleidoscope Film Distribution.
  15. ^ Rose, Steve (July 6, 2021). "To Be Someone review – a Guy Ritchie ripoff two decades past its sell-by date". The Guardian.
  16. ^ Kermode, Mark (July 9, 2021). "To Be Someone reviewed by Mark Kermode". BBC Radio 5 Live.
  17. ^ Haldon, Keith (August 8, 2021). "To Be Someone, review". The Nerdly.
  18. ^ Mark, GingerBeard (September 11, 2022). "Interviewing Ray Burdis". YouTube.
  19. ^ "Director of new 'Quadrophenia' film slammed by The Who defends his movie". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2016-06-20. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  20. ^ Hope, Hannah (2016-06-14). "Quadrophenia sequel director snubs The Who's 'over-exposed' music". mirror. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
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