John Henshaw

Biography

John Henshaw is a British actor famed for his roles as Ken the landlord in Early Doors, Wilf Bradshaw in Born and Bred and PC Roy Bramwell in The Cops.

Henshaw was born one of 12 children. He grew up in Ancoats, Manchester's "Little Italy" community. He was a refuse collector for ten years before deciding to become an actor at the age of 40.

His first big break in acting was as a minder to Robert Lindsay's character Michael Murray in the acclaimed Channel 4 series, G.B.H. Other TV credits include The Royle Family, The Visit, Life on Mars, whilst film credits include the Steve Coogan comedy The Parole Officer, the Bert Trautmann biopic The Keeper, and the Ken Loach films Looking For Eric and The Angels' Share. Henshaw is chairman of the 24:7 Theatre Festival, an annual festival of new writing for theatre based in Manchester.

Known For

Talamasca: The Secret Order 2025 ★ 6.8
The Long Shadow 2023 ★ 7.5
The Full Monty 2023 ★ 7.2
Ridley 2022 ★ 6.2
Stan & Ollie 2018 ★ 6.9
6 Days 2017 ★ 6.0
The Man Who Invented Christmas 2017 ★ 6.8
A Street Cat Named Bob 2016 ★ 7.9
Documentary Now! 2015 ★ 7.1
Father Brown 2013 ★ 7.6
By Any Means 2013 ★ 6.6
Life on Mars 2006 ★ 7.8
New Street Law 2006 ★ 6.6
The Afternoon Play 2003 ★ 6.5
Born and Bred 2002 ★ 9.0
Cutting It 2002 ★ 7.0
The Royle Family 1998 ★ 7.6
Midsomer Murders 1997 ★ 7.5
The Grand 1997 ★ 5.1
Cracker 1993 ★ 6.6
Heartbeat 1992 ★ 7.2
G.B.H. 1991 ★ 6.3
Casualty 1986 ★ 6.2
The Bill 1984 ★ 6.8