Mark Bonnar Movies: Complete Film List, Roles and Best Films

If you are searching for Mark Bonnar movies, you may already know the Scottish actor from Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Shetland or Guilt. But his film career is just as interesting, even though much of his recognition has come from television.

Born in Edinburgh on 19 November 1968, Bonnar has built a career around character-driven performances rather than conventional leading-man roles. His film work includes historical dramas, thrillers, family adventure, war stories and large-scale productions such as Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. His more recent film credit is Last Breath, the 2025 deep-sea thriller in which he plays Craig, a dive supervisor.

For viewers trying to find Mark Bonnar movies and TV shows, there is an important distinction: Bonnar has appeared in many more television productions than feature films. This guide therefore focuses on his movie work first, then explains the TV performances that have made him such a recognisable face of British drama.

Who Is Mark Bonnar?

Mark Bonnar is a Scottish actor from Edinburgh whose screen career spans television, film, theatre and voice work. He is particularly well known for playing complicated, authoritative or morally ambiguous characters.

His television credits include Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Shetland, Catastrophe, Guilt, Humans, Quiz, World on Fire, Litvinenko, The Rig, Murder Is Easy and Dept. Q. His film credits include Sunset Song, The Kid Who Would Be King, Operation Mincemeat, Napoleon and Last Breath.

That mixture explains why searches for Mark Bonnar movies and TV shows often produce much longer filmographies than a search specifically limited to cinema releases.

Mark Bonnar Movies in Chronological Order

Here is a straightforward look at his principal film work, arranged by release year.

Film databases do not always classify television films, shorts, documentaries and National Theatre recordings in exactly the same way. For that reason, lists of “Mark Bonnar movies” can differ slightly between databases. TV Guide, for example, lists dozens of screen credits overall, while film-focused databases naturally produce a shorter list.

Loving You (2003)

Loving You is one of the earliest notable screen credits associated with Mark Bonnar. He played DC Colin Morris.

The project belongs to the early stage of Bonnar’s career, before he became widely recognised for major British television dramas. Looking at his filmography chronologically, it provides useful context for understanding how long he has been working on screen.

His early career was particularly busy in television, with appearances in programmes such as Rebus, Wire in the Blood, Casualty and Afterlife.

The Trial of Tony Blair (2007)

Bonnar appeared as Tommy in The Trial of Tony Blair, a political television drama imagining the former prime minister facing legal consequences after leaving office.

Although it is not a conventional cinema blockbuster, it is relevant when researching Mark Bonnar movies because it demonstrates the type of serious British drama that became an important part of his career.

The film also reflects a pattern that appears repeatedly in Bonnar’s work: he tends to contribute to ensemble productions in which the surrounding story and characters are as important as the individual performance.

National Theatre Live: The Cherry Orchard (2011)

Bonnar played Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard, a production of Anton Chekhov’s classic play presented through National Theatre Live.

It sits somewhere between stage performance and filmed theatre, so whether you count it among traditional movies depends on the definition being used. Nevertheless, it is part of the screen-recorded work associated with his career and demonstrates his connection with serious theatrical material.

Camera Trap (2014)

Camera Trap is a thriller featuring Bonnar as Iain.

The film is considerably smaller in scale than later productions such as Napoleon, but it is useful for viewers exploring the breadth of Mark Bonnar movies. He has repeatedly moved between major television productions and smaller films rather than concentrating exclusively on mainstream cinema.

X Moor (2014)

In X Moor, Bonnar plays Fox, one of the characters caught up in the film’s dark mystery.

The film belongs to the horror/thriller side of his filmography. It is also an example of how Bonnar has often used his screen presence in stories where tension and uncertainty are central to the plot.

Sunset Song (2015)

One of the more substantial films in Bonnar’s earlier movie career is Terence Davies’ Sunset Song.

Bonnar plays Reverend Gibbon in the adaptation of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s acclaimed Scottish novel. The film is deeply rooted in Scottish history, landscape and rural life, making it particularly relevant to Bonnar’s own Scottish background.

Sunset Song is very different from the crime and police dramas that made him familiar to television audiences. It shows his ability to work within a quieter period drama where atmosphere and character carry much of the storytelling.

Take Down / Billionaire Ransom (2016)

The thriller Take Down, also known as Billionaire Ransom, features Mark Bonnar as Lawrence Close.

The story centres on wealthy teenagers sent to an exclusive school who become caught up in a dangerous situation. Compared with the historical and literary drama of Sunset Song, this film places Bonnar in a much more commercial thriller environment.

For anyone looking for Mark Bonnar movies in English, this is one of the titles worth adding to a chronological watchlist.

Eric, Ernie and Me (2017)

Bonnar took on one of his more distinctive roles when he played comedian Eric Morecambe in Eric, Ernie and Me.

The production explores the world surrounding the famous British comedy partnership of Morecambe and Wise. Playing a real-life entertainer requires a different approach from playing a fictional detective, police officer or villain, and the role stands out within Bonnar’s filmography.

His television work around this period was also becoming increasingly prominent. BAFTA Scotland records Bonnar as a nominee for his television work, including Unforgotten, Catastrophe and Line of Duty.

Say My Name (2018)

Say My Name is a comedy-drama film in which Bonnar plays Dec.

It is another example of the actor moving between genres rather than being associated with one particular type of character. His broader career includes crime, comedy, historical drama, thriller and family entertainment.

The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)

Bonnar appears as Mr Jeffreys in Joe Cornish’s family adventure film The Kid Who Would Be King.

The film reimagines the Arthurian legend for a modern audience, following a young boy who discovers the legendary sword Excalibur and becomes involved in an adventure connected to King Arthur.

For audiences who know Bonnar primarily from darker British dramas, this is a useful reminder that his filmography is not restricted to adult crime and historical stories.

Operation Mincemeat (2021)

Operation Mincemeat is one of the most important films in the Mark Bonnar filmography.

Bonnar plays Jock Horsfall in John Madden’s historical war drama, which dramatises the deception operation used by British intelligence during the Second World War.

The film features a major ensemble cast including Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald and Jason Isaacs. Bonnar’s performance earned him a nomination for Best Actor in Film at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.

This is arguably one of the best starting points for someone who wants to understand Bonnar’s work in feature films. It combines the historical subject matter he handles well with the ensemble style that has characterised much of his career.

Napoleon (2023)

Napoleon is probably the most internationally recognisable title among the recent Mark Bonnar movies.

Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte, the film presents a large-scale account of Napoleon’s rise and military career.

Bonnar plays Jean-Andoche Junot, a French general who served under Napoleon. His role is supporting rather than central, but appearing in a production of this scale represents an important part of his film career. IMDb lists Bonnar as Junot in the 2023 film.

The film is especially relevant to searches such as Mark Bonnar movies Napoleon, because Bonnar is part of a cast filled with internationally recognised performers.

Last Breath (2025)

Last Breath is the most recent major feature film in Bonnar’s filmography.

The film is based on the extraordinary real-life story of saturation divers working in dangerous deep-sea conditions. Bonnar plays Craig, a dive supervisor, alongside a cast that includes Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu and Finn Cole.

His role also explains searches such as Mark Bonnar diving film. In this case, the search is pointing towards Last Breath, rather than a separate film about Bonnar as a diver. IMDb identifies his character as Craig, the dive supervisor.

For viewers who discovered Bonnar through Line of Duty or Unforgotten, Last Breath offers a very different setting and genre.

What Are Mark Bonnar’s Best Movies?

There is no objective single answer to which Mark Bonnar movie is “best”, but several stand out for different reasons.

Best for historical drama: Operation Mincemeat

If you enjoy British wartime stories, Operation Mincemeat is a strong choice. It combines a fascinating historical operation with a large ensemble cast and serious performances.

Best for epic cinema: Napoleon

For viewers who want something visually ambitious, Napoleon is the obvious choice. Bonnar has a supporting role, but the film places him within a major Ridley Scott production.

Best for survival thriller: Last Breath

Last Breath is the choice for audiences interested in survival stories and underwater exploration. Bonnar’s role as a dive supervisor connects directly to the film’s dangerous deep-sea setting.

Best for Scottish period drama: Sunset Song

Sunset Song offers something completely different. Its Scottish setting and literary source material make it particularly interesting for viewers wanting a slower, more atmospheric drama.

Best family option: The Kid Who Would Be King

If you want a lighter film, The Kid Who Would Be King is the most obvious choice. It brings Arthurian mythology into a contemporary family adventure.

Mark Bonnar Movies vs TV Shows: Where Is He Best Known?

Although searches often focus on Mark Bonnar movies, television remains the larger part of his screen career.

His television credits include:

• Line of Duty — DCC Mike Dryden
• Unforgotten — Colin Osborne
• Shetland — Duncan Hunter
• Catastrophe — Chris
• Guilt — Max McCall
• Humans — Dr Neil Sommer
• Quiz — Paul Smith
• World on Fire — Sir James Danemere
• Litvinenko — Clive Timmons
• The Rig — Alwyn Evans
• Murder Is Easy — Reverend Humbleby
• Dept. Q — Stephen Burns
• Lockerbie: A Search for Truth — Roderick McGill

TV Guide’s credit listing illustrates just how extensive this side of his career is compared with his feature-film work.

Mark Bonnar in Line of Duty

One of the most common searches connected to Bonnar is Mark Bonnar movies Line of Duty. Technically, Line of Duty is a television series, not a movie.

Bonnar played DCC Mike Dryden, appearing in the crime drama as part of its complex investigation and police-corruption storyline. BAFTA Scotland recognised his performance with a television acting nomination.

His Line of Duty appearance is one of the clearest examples of why Bonnar became so effective in British crime dramas: he can create uncertainty around a character without relying on exaggerated performances.

Mark Bonnar in Unforgotten

Another major role came in Unforgotten, where Bonnar played Colin Osborne.

The series is known for its slow-burning investigations and emotionally complicated characters. Bonnar’s performance helped establish him as one of the actors audiences could immediately associate with serious British crime drama.

He won the BAFTA Scotland award for Best Actor in Television for Unforgotten in 2017.

Did Mark Bonnar Appear in Harry Potter?

No. There is no established Mark Bonnar film credit in the Harry Potter film series.

This is worth clarifying because searches for Mark Bonnar movies Harry Potter can create the impression that he appeared in one of the films. His documented filmography instead includes productions such as Sunset Song, The Kid Who Would Be King, Operation Mincemeat, Napoleon and Last Breath.

Was Mark Bonnar in Trainspotting?

There is also no principal Mark Bonnar role in Trainspotting or T2 Trainspotting listed among his major film credits.

This is another case where related searches can mix up actors and titles. Bonnar’s career is strongly connected with Scottish film and television, but that does not mean he appeared in every major Scottish production.

His documented filmography includes Sunset Song, while his television career includes numerous Scottish productions such as Shetland and Line of Duty.

Was Mark Bonnar in Gladiator?

No major Mark Bonnar role appears in Ridley Scott’s original Gladiator or in the principal cast information for Gladiator II.

The confusion may partly come from his appearance in another Ridley Scott historical epic: Napoleon. Bonnar played Junot in the 2023 film.

So, if you are searching for Mark Bonnar movies Gladiator, Napoleon is the more relevant Ridley Scott connection.

Mark Bonnar’s Most Important Roles

Looking across his film and television career, several roles have had particular significance.

DCC Mike Dryden — Line of Duty
One of his most recognisable crime-drama roles.

Colin Osborne — Unforgotten
A performance that helped earn him a BAFTA Scotland television acting win.

Jock Horsfall — Operation Mincemeat
An important feature-film performance that earned a BAFTA Scotland nomination.

Junot — Napoleon
His role in one of Ridley Scott’s major historical productions.

Craig — Last Breath
A recent film role connected with the dangerous world of deep-sea diving.

Max McCall — Guilt
A central television performance in a dark Scottish comedy-drama.

Are There Any Upcoming Mark Bonnar Movies?

As of September 2026, Bonnar’s current screen work includes several television projects rather than a clearly established new feature-film release.

IMDb’s current credits list Ludwig, Line of Duty and Dept. Q among his recent or upcoming work, while The Siege and Meantime are also listed in development or post-production.

This is another reason to distinguish Mark Bonnar movies and TV shows when looking at his latest work. His career continues to be particularly active in television.

Where Should You Start With Mark Bonnar Movies?

If you have never watched one of his films, the best starting point depends on your taste:

1. Operation Mincemeat — for historical and wartime drama.
2. Napoleon — for large-scale historical cinema.
3. Last Breath — for survival and deep-sea thriller.
4. Sunset Song — for literary Scottish drama.
5. The Kid Who Would Be King — for family-friendly adventure.
6. Take Down — for a more straightforward thriller.
7. X Moor — for horror and suspense.

For a broader introduction to Bonnar himself, it is worth moving beyond films and watching Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Guilt or Shetland. Those productions provide a much better sense of why he has become such a respected character actor in British television.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mark Bonnar Movies

What movies has Mark Bonnar been in?

Mark Bonnar’s film credits include Loving You, The Trial of Tony Blair, Camera Trap, X Moor, Sunset Song, Take Down, Eric, Ernie and Me, Say My Name, The Kid Who Would Be King, Operation Mincemeat, Napoleon and Last Breath, among other screen projects. Film databases can classify television films, shorts and recorded theatre differently.

What is Mark Bonnar’s most famous movie?

Among his feature films, Napoleon, Operation Mincemeat and Last Breath are particularly recognisable recent titles. However, Bonnar is arguably better known to UK audiences for television roles in Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Shetland and Guilt.

Was Mark Bonnar in Napoleon?

Yes. Mark Bonnar played Jean-Andoche Junot in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, released in 2023.

Was Mark Bonnar in Last Breath?

Yes. Bonnar plays Craig, a dive supervisor, in Last Breath (2025).

What is the Mark Bonnar diving film?

The film associated with this search is Last Breath. Bonnar plays Craig, a dive supervisor, in the deep-sea survival thriller.

Was Mark Bonnar in Harry Potter?

No major credit for Mark Bonnar appears in the Harry Potter film series. His documented filmography includes titles such as Sunset Song, Operation Mincemeat, Napoleon and Last Breath.

Was Mark Bonnar in Trainspotting?

He does not have a principal credited role in Trainspotting or T2 Trainspotting. His Scottish film career includes Sunset Song, while many of his best-known Scottish roles have been in television.

Is Mark Bonnar in Line of Duty?

Yes. He played DCC Mike Dryden in Line of Duty. The role was also recognised in the BAFTA Scotland television awards.

What are the best Mark Bonnar TV shows?

Some of the strongest choices are Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Shetland, Guilt, Catastrophe, Humans, Quiz, World on Fire and Dept. Q.

Final Thoughts

The Mark Bonnar movies filmography may not be as large as his television résumé, but it is varied. He has moved from Scottish drama and smaller thrillers to family adventure, wartime history and major Hollywood productions.

Sunset Song shows his strength in literary period drama, The Kid Who Would Be King offers a lighter family adventure, Operation Mincemeat demonstrates his ability to work within a prestigious historical ensemble, Napoleon places him in a Ridley Scott epic, and Last Breath gives him a role connected to one of the most dangerous environments imaginable.

For viewers discovering him through his films, though, the next step should be television. Line of Duty, Unforgotten, Shetland and Guilt reveal the range that has made Mark Bonnar one of the more dependable character actors in modern British drama.