British actor Philip Glenister made a candid appearance on Sunday's edition of Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, where he discussed the remarkable acting dynasty within his own family. The 62-year-old star, best known for his iconic portrayal of DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC series Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes, revealed fascinating insights about his father and brother's parallel careers in television and film.
A Legacy of Television Excellence
Philip Glenister comes from a family deeply embedded in the British entertainment industry. His father, John Glenister, was a highly respected television director who passed away in 2024 at the age of 92. John's impressive career spanned decades and included work on numerous acclaimed productions such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Emma, Rumpole of the Bailey, and Dennis Potter's 1971 biopic of Casanova. He also directed episodes of popular series including A Touch of Frost, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and A Bit of a Do.
Sibling Success in Acting
Philip's brother, Robert Glenister, 65, has established himself as a prominent actor in his own right. Robert is perhaps best recognized for his role as Ash "Three Socks" Morgan in the long-running crime drama series Hustle from 2004 to 2012. He also portrayed Nicholas Blake in the spy drama Spooks between 2006 and 2010. More recently, Robert has appeared in various television productions including Cold Feet in 2017, Curfew in 2019, and The Night Caller in 2023. He currently stars as DI Kevin Salisbury in the critically acclaimed drama Sherwood.
Family Expectations and Career Paths
During the interview, host Alan Titchmarsh, 76, questioned Philip about whether acting was a foregone conclusion given his family background. "Philip, your dad is a famous director, John Glenister, very well known. With your brother as well, Robert, doing acting as well, was it a foregone conclusion?" Titchmarsh asked.
Philip responded with surprising honesty: "Not for me! Robert knew he wanted to act from a very early age, he did theatre locally. I always thought I would be in the industry but I always thought I'd be behind the camera a bit like the old man, you know." He added with a touch of humor, "I'm still working on it but it never quite worked out like that!"
Father's Reaction to Acting Ambitions
The actor shared an amusing anecdote about his father's reaction to his career choice. "It was terrible. Having one actor in the family is better than having two. My dad, because he knew the ups and downs of the industry and everything, when I told him I'd been offered a place at drama school, he went, 'Oh no!'" This revelation highlighted John Glenister's practical understanding of the entertainment industry's challenges, despite his own successful career behind the camera.
Theatre Work and Sibling Dynamics
Later in the conversation, Philip discussed his experiences working in theatre and couldn't resist poking fun at his brother's current success. "The last theatre I did was in 2012, I did an amazing play called This House, written by James Graham, who went on to do Dear England, which they just turned into a film, and Sherwood, which obviously my brother is in, thanks James!"
Titchmarsh immediately picked up on the potential for sibling rivalry, quipping: "No sibling rivalry?" to which Philip responded with sarcastic humor: "No, no, none at all!" The exchange provided a lighthearted glimpse into the brothers' relationship despite their shared profession.
Recent Projects and Career Evolution
Beyond his most famous roles, Philip Glenister has continued to build an impressive career. He recently appeared in the second series of After the Flood as Jack Radcliffe. His other notable television credits include playing DCI William Bell in State of Play and Reverend Anderson in Outcast, demonstrating his versatility across different genres and character types.
The Glenister family represents a unique multi-generational contribution to British television and film, with each member finding success in different aspects of the industry. From John's directing legacy to Philip and Robert's acting careers, their collective work has left a significant mark on British entertainment culture.
Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh continues to air every Sunday at 9:30am on ITV and ITV X, featuring interviews with various celebrities and public figures from across the entertainment landscape.
