Geff Francis

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Geff Francis
Born
Geffrey Francis

1964 (age 61–62)
England
OccupationsFilm and television actor

Geffrey Francis (born 1964) is an English actor. In 1986, he appeared as the title character in Channel Four's Zastrozzi, A Romance [1] and in a minor role in The Singing Detective. [2] He portrayed Lynford in the drama film For Queen and Country (1988).[3] In the popular Channel 4 Peckham-set comedy series Desmond's (1989–94) he played the title character's eldest son (Michael), before later moving on to reprising his role in the spin-off series Porkpie (1995–96).[4] [5]

Francis has since become a regular character actor on British television. He portrayed the Metropolitan Police desk sergeant Viv James in the BBC TV series Ashes to Ashes. [6] He also appeared in "The Bells of Saint John", a 2013 episode of fellow BBC TV series Doctor Who.[7]

To science fiction fans, Francis is known as Admiral Frantis Griss, a minor antagonist in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, the 2019 final instalment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy. [8]

Selected Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Singing Detective Porter 6 episodes
Zastrozzi, A Romance Zastrozzi 4 episodes
1987 Bust Baines Episode: "Selling a Dummy"
Rockliffe's Babies Brinsley Harper Episode: "Up the Down Escalator"
1988 For Queen and Country Lynford Film
1989 -

1994

 Desmond's Michael Ambrose 55 episodes
1990 South of the Border Marcus 2 episodes
1991 Boon Stan Episode: "The Night Before Christmas"
1992 The Upper Hand Jim Episode: "Pillow Talk"
1995 The Governor John Udding 3 episodes
Porkpie Michael Ambrose 11 episodes
1996 Sharman Teddy Episode: "Take the Train"
1998 Dangerfield Alan Mason Episode: "Silence Has Got Rhythm Too"
Maisie Raine Joseph Evans Episode: "Food of Love"
2003 Roger Roger Mack 3 episodes
2004 Bad Girls Rick Revoir 3 episodes
Blue Murder Alec Arrowsmith Episode: "Up in Smoke"
Murder City DI Adrian Dumfries 6 episodes
Red Cap Sgt. Lennie Raeburn Episode: "Fighting Fit"
2005 Waking the Dead Dr. Donald McNeil Episode: "Black Run" (2 parts)
2006 Green Wing Pimp 1 episode
2007 New Tricks Louis Johnson Episode: "Buried Treasure"
Robin Hood Smith Episode: "Childhood"
2008 -

2010

 Ashes to Ashes Viv James 22 episodes
2013 Doctor Who George Episode: "The Bells of Saint John"
2015 Death in Paradise Hank Laymon 1 episode
The Dumping Ground Dave Episode: "It's Not All About the Money"
2017 Endeavour Grantly Smalls Episode: "Game"
2019 EastEnders DS Todd 1 episode
Killing Eve John Episode: "I Hope You Like Missionary!"
Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker Admiral Frantis Griss Film
2022 Midsomer Murders Billy Bevan Episode: "The Debt of Lies"
Murder in Provence Francois Roussel 3 episodes
2023 The Buccaneers Sir Helmsley Thwarte Episode: "American Poison"
Carnival Row Admiral Nevin Episode: "New Dawn"
Such Brave Girls Mark Episode: "Such Unavailable Girls"
2025 Missing You Harvey Fox 2 episodes

References

  1. "A British Adaptation of Shelley's Zastrozzi", New York Times, 16 October 1986.
  2. "Singing Detective, The (1986)". BFI Screenonline.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Ebert, Roger (19 May 1989). "For Queen And Country". RogerEbert.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. Hazelann Williams, "'It's About Time They Brought Back Desmond's'" Archived 25 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine, The Voice, 26 January 2013.
  5. Slade, Brian (12 July 2021). "Desmond's". Television Heaven.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. Collins, Frank (9 May 2010). "Ashes To Ashes - Series 3: Episode 6/ Review". Cathode Ray Tube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. "7.7 - The Bells of Saint John". The Time Scales.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. Williamson, Lucy (25 August 2021). "BBC Death in Paradise actor who starred alongside Adam Driver and John Boyega in Hollywood blockbuster". My London.