Ackerman's Creed

Graham McTavish's new Rocky movie out in the UK.

15 January, 2016

If you were asked who you thought the most recognisable member of Red Dwarf's long and distinguished list of supporting actors was, there would be a few obvious answers. Mark Williams, of course, for his appearances in Doctor Who, Harry Potter and The Fast Show. The various Absolutely cast members, particularly Morwenna Banks and Gordon Kennedy. Then there's Craig Ferguson, generally little-known in the UK but a huge star over in the States thanks to his late night chat show hosting. And there's a guest star appearing in one of the new episodes who will definitely be... well, we've already said too much.

Ackerman's Creed

But sneaking slightly under the radar, yet nevertheless a face that will be recognisable to a huge range of movie and TV viewers on both sides of the pond, is the man who played Series VIII's "Nicey" Ackerman, Graham McTavish. Originally from Scotland, since moving to the US Graham has racked up a hugely impressive CV, with appearances in hit TV shows such as Lost, Prison Break, 24, CSI: Miami and Outlander. And he's also appeared in movies, most notably as Dwalin in all three instalments of the Hobbit trilogy.

Aside from his jaunt into Peter Jackson's Tolkien-land, however, a film that's being released in the UK today (15th January) might be one of his most significant yet. Creed is the latest film in the iconic Rocky series, and sees Sylvester Stallone handing over his boxing mantle to Michael B. Jordan's Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky's good friend Apollo. And in among these heavyweight (sorry) names, our very own Graham appears as Tommy Holiday, the trainer of Creed's Liverpudlian opponent Ricky Conlan. We guess this probably means he's a baddie, although you can never tell in the Rocky films.

This isn't actually the first time Graham has worked with Stallone - he also appeared in the 2008 Rambo sequel, which the star co-wrote and directed; and it's not even the first time he's appeared in something with Creed in the name, as he voiced a character in the 2012 video game Assassin's Creed III. Yes, we do like to look for meaningless patterns in things.

Having originally come out Stateside last November, it's taken a little while for Creed to make it over here, but it's finally making its bow over here this week. Critical and awards buzz around it has been pretty positive, and it's already picked up a Golden Globe for Stallone's performance - so it sounds like it's well worth checking out. And we're not just saying that because we don't want to get on "Nicey"'s wrong side...

Creed is out now in cinemas nationwide!

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