Stephen Frears

Directing

Stephen Frears

Born June 20, 1941 · Leicester, England, UK (age 85)

Stephen Arthur Frears (born 20 June 1941) is an English director and producer. He has directed numerous acclaimed films since the early 1980s, including My Beautiful Laundrette (1985), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), The Grifters (1990), High Fidelity (2000), The Queen (2006), Philomena (2013), Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), and Victoria & Abdul (2017). He has received two nominations for the Academy …

Known For

Dangerous LiaisonsDangerous Liaisons · 1988
Dangerous Liaisons
7.21988
MovieDramaRomance
In 18th century France, Marquise de Merteuil asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for one last night with her. Yet things don’t go as planned.
ChériChéri · 2009
Chéri
6.12009
MovieDramaComedy
The son of a courtesan retreats into a fantasy world after being forced to end his relationship with the older woman who educated him in the ways of love.
Dirty Pretty ThingsDirty Pretty Things · 2002
Dirty Pretty Things
6.92002
MovieCrimeDrama
An undocumented immigrant finds a human heart in one of the toilets of the west London hotel where he works with other undocumented immigrants.
High FidelityHigh Fidelity · 2000
High Fidelity
7.12000
MovieDramaComedy
After his long-time girlfriend dumps him, a thirty-year-old record store owner seeks to understand why he is unlucky in love while recounting his "top five breakups of all time".
LiamLiam · 2001
Liam
6.32001
MovieDrama
A morality tale of xenophobia, religious prejudice, mob violence, poverty, and their effect on two children in Liverpool during the Depression. When a shipyard closes, Liam and Teresa's dad loses his job. Liam, who's about 8, making his first Holy Communion, gets a regular dose of fire and brimstone at church. Teresa, about 13, has a job as a maid to the Jewish family that owns the closed shipyard. The lady of that house is having an affair, and Teresa becomes an accomplice. Liam stutters terribly, especially when troubled. Dad comes under the sway of the Fascists, who blame cheap Irish labor and Jewish owners. A Molotov cocktail brings things to a head.
The QueenThe Queen · 2006
The Queen
6.92006
MovieDramaHistory
The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.
The GriftersThe Grifters · 1990
The Grifters
6.51990
MovieCrimeDrama
A small-time conman has his loyalties torn between his estranged mother and his new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play.
Victoria & AbdulVictoria & Abdul · 2017
Victoria & Abdul
6.92017
MovieDramaHistory
Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.

Movies

Dangerous LiaisonsDangerous Liaisons · 1988
Dangerous Liaisons
7.21988
MovieDramaRomance
In 18th century France, Marquise de Merteuil asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for one last night with her. Yet things don’t go as planned.
ChériChéri · 2009
Chéri
6.12009
MovieDramaComedy
The son of a courtesan retreats into a fantasy world after being forced to end his relationship with the older woman who educated him in the ways of love.
Dirty Pretty ThingsDirty Pretty Things · 2002
Dirty Pretty Things
6.92002
MovieCrimeDrama
An undocumented immigrant finds a human heart in one of the toilets of the west London hotel where he works with other undocumented immigrants.
High FidelityHigh Fidelity · 2000
High Fidelity
7.12000
MovieDramaComedy
After his long-time girlfriend dumps him, a thirty-year-old record store owner seeks to understand why he is unlucky in love while recounting his "top five breakups of all time".
LiamLiam · 2001
Liam
6.32001
MovieDrama
A morality tale of xenophobia, religious prejudice, mob violence, poverty, and their effect on two children in Liverpool during the Depression. When a shipyard closes, Liam and Teresa's dad loses his job. Liam, who's about 8, making his first Holy Communion, gets a regular dose of fire and brimstone at church. Teresa, about 13, has a job as a maid to the Jewish family that owns the closed shipyard. The lady of that house is having an affair, and Teresa becomes an accomplice. Liam stutters terribly, especially when troubled. Dad comes under the sway of the Fascists, who blame cheap Irish labor and Jewish owners. A Molotov cocktail brings things to a head.
The QueenThe Queen · 2006
The Queen
6.92006
MovieDramaHistory
The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.
The GriftersThe Grifters · 1990
The Grifters
6.51990
MovieCrimeDrama
A small-time conman has his loyalties torn between his estranged mother and his new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own angles to play.
Victoria & AbdulVictoria & Abdul · 2017
Victoria & Abdul
6.92017
MovieDramaHistory
Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.
HeroHero · 1992
Hero
6.31992
MovieComedyDrama
Bernie Laplante is having a rough time. He's divorced, his ex-wife hates him and has custody of their son, the cops are setting a trap for him, then to top it all, he loses a shoe whilst rescuing passengers of a crashed jet. Being a thief who is down on his luck, Bernie takes advantage of the crash, but then someone else claims credit for the rescue.
Going GentlyGoing Gently · 1981
Going Gently
7.51981
MovieDramaTV Movie
Play about two elderly cancer patients suffering in hospital.
Florence Foster JenkinsFlorence Foster Jenkins · 2016
Florence Foster Jenkins
6.72016
MovieComedyDrama
The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress, who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.
PhilomenaPhilomena · 2013
Philomena
7.32013
MovieDrama
A woman searches for her adult son, who was taken away from her decades ago when she was forced to live in a convent.
Night Will FallNight Will Fall · 2014
Night Will Fall
7.62014
MovieDocumentary
When Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps in 1944-45, their terrible discoveries were recorded by army and newsreel cameramen, revealing for the first time the full horror of what had happened. Making use of British, Soviet and American footage, the Ministry of Information’s Sidney Bernstein (later founder of Granada Television) aimed to create a documentary that would provide lasting, undeniable evidence of the Nazis’ unspeakable crimes. He commissioned a wealth of British talent, including editor Stewart McAllister, writer and future cabinet minister Richard Crossman – and, as treatment advisor, his friend Alfred Hitchcock. Yet, despite initial support from the British and US Governments, the film was shelved, and only now, 70 years on, has it been restored and completed by Imperial War Museums under its original title "German Concentration Camps Factual Survey".
My Beautiful LaundretteMy Beautiful Laundrette · 1985
My Beautiful Laundrette
6.71985
MovieComedyDrama
A young Pakistani Briton manages a rundown laundrette with his lover while dealing with tension in his family, the local Pakistani community, and a persistent mob of skinheads.
The ProgramThe Program · 2015
The Program
6.42015
MovieDrama
An Irish sports journalist becomes convinced that Lance Armstrong's performances during the Tour de France victories are fueled by banned substances. With this conviction, he starts hunting for evidence that will expose Armstrong.
Forever EalingForever Ealing · 2002
Forever Ealing
7.22002
MovieDocumentary
This is a history of the England's Ealing Film Studios, from its beginnings in 1902. It follows the studio's successes through the 1930's, World War II dramas, the well-known 'Ealing comedies' with Alec Guinness, and the BBC's television productions
Tamara DreweTamara Drewe · 2010
Tamara Drewe
5.92010
MovieComedyRomance
A young newspaper writer returns to her hometown in the English countryside, where her childhood home is being prepped for sale.
The HitThe Hit · 1984
The Hit
6.51984
MovieDramaThriller
Ten years after ratting on his old mobster friends in exchange for personal immunity, two hit men drive a hardened criminal to Paris for his execution. However, while on the way, whatever can go wrong, does go wrong.
Sammy and Rosie Get LaidSammy and Rosie Get Laid · 1987
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid
5.71987
MovieDramaComedy
Sammy and Rosie are an unconventional middle-class London married couple. They live in the midst of inner-city chaos, surround themselves with intellectual street people, and sleep with everybody - except each other! Things become interesting when Sammy's father, Rafi, who is a former Indian government minister, comes to London for a visit. Sammy, Rosie, and Rafi try to find meaning through their lives and loves.
Michael PowellMichael Powell · 2005
Michael Powell
2005
MovieDocumentary
The first episode of a new arts documentary program from BBC Scotland was dedicated to Michael Powell in his centenary year. The program interviews many people who knew or worked with him or were influenced by his work.
100 Greatest Sexy Moments100 Greatest Sexy Moments · 2003
100 Greatest Sexy Moments
3.52003
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
Documentary, based on a British poll, listing the 100 sexiest movie and TV moments. Supplemented by new interviews with performers, filmmakers, and authors/critics.
Fail SafeFail Safe · 2000
Fail Safe
6.92000
MovieDramaThriller
Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.
Director: Alan ClarkeDirector: Alan Clarke · 1991
Director: Alan Clarke
1991
MovieDocumentary
Alan Clarke's films exposed a real, raw world as no other films have. Works such as "Scum," "Made in Britain," "The Firm," "Rita, Sue and Bob Too" and "Elephant" inspired a generation of British actors, writers and directors that changed cinema forever. This documentary features rare behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with friends and colleagues of Clarke, including Tim Roth, Danny Boyle, Stephen Frears, Ray Winstone and Phil Daniels.
The Lost KingThe Lost King · 2022
The Lost King
6.52022
MovieComedyDrama
An amateur historian defies the academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III's remains, which were lost for over 500 years.

TV Shows

Play for TodayPlay for Today · 1970
Play for Today
6.61970
SeriesDrama
Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more than three hundred programmes, featuring original television plays, and adaptations of stage plays and novels, were transmitted. The individual episodes were between fifty and a hundred minutes in duration.
Screen TwoScreen Two · 1985
Screen Two
7.11985
SeriesDrama
Series of single made-for-television dramas.
PlayhousePlayhouse · 1974
Playhouse
7.01974
SeriesDrama
A one-hour anthology television series of one-off contemporary and classic dramas produced by the BBC.
OmnibusOmnibus · 1967
Omnibus
7.21967
SeriesDocumentary
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.
KulturplatzKulturplatz · 2004
Kulturplatz
6.02004
SeriesDocumentary
ITV PlayhouseITV Playhouse · 1967
ITV Playhouse
7.01967
SeriesDrama
ITV Playhouse is a British comedy-drama TV series that ran from 1967 to 1983, which featured contributions from playwrights such as Dennis Potter, Rhys Adrian and Alan Sharp. The series began in black and white, but was later shot in colour and was produced by various companies for the ITV network, a format that would inspire Dramarama. Actors appearing in the series included Leslie Anderson, Gwen Nelson, Ricky Alleyne, Pat Heywood, Michael Elphick, Ian Hendry, Edward Woodward, Margaret Lockwood, Jessie Matthews and Lloyd Peters.
The Comic Strip Presents...The Comic Strip Presents... · 1982
The Comic Strip Presents...
7.41982
SeriesComedy
The Comic Strip is a group of British comedians, who do parodies of films, literature and sometimes major events.
Great British MenuGreat British Menu · 2006
Great British Menu
6.52006
Series
Britain's top chefs compete for the chance to cook a four-course banquet for a high-profile figure.
BBC2 Play of the WeekBBC2 Play of the Week · 1977
BBC2 Play of the Week
7.01977
SeriesDramaComedy
An anthology of plays and novels adapted into feature length TV movies, broadcast on BBC2 from September 1977 to April 1979.
Hollywood U.K.: British Cinema in the SixtiesHollywood U.K.: British Cinema in the Sixties · 1993
Hollywood U.K.: British Cinema in the Sixties
7.01993
SeriesDocumentary
Five programmes that trace a remarkable decade in British film-making through interviews with its stars and directors.
The RegimeThe Regime · 2024
The Regime
6.12024
SeriesDramaComedy
The story of one year within the walls of the palace of a modern European regime as it begins to unravel.
The Loudest VoiceThe Loudest Voice · 2019
The Loudest Voice
7.42019
SeriesDrama
The rise and fall of Fox News founder Roger Ailes, focusing primarily on the past decade in which Ailes arguably became the Republican Party’s de facto leader, while flashing back to defining events in his life.
FollyfootFollyfoot · 1971
Follyfoot
6.31971
SeriesFamilyDrama
Follyfoot is a children's television series co-produced by the majority-partner British television company Yorkshire Television and the independent West German company TV Munich. It aired in the United Kingdom between 1971 and 1973, repeated for two years after that and again in the late 1980s. The series starred Gillian Blake in the lead role. Notable people connected with the series were actors Desmond Llewelyn and Arthur English and directors Jack Cardiff, Stephen Frears, Michael Apted and David Hemmings. It was originally inspired by Monica Dickens' 1963 novel Cobbler's Dream; she later wrote four further books in conjunction with the series—Follyfoot in 1971, Dora at Follyfoot in 1972, The Horses of Follyfoot in 1975, and Stranger at Follyfoot in 1976.
State of the UnionState of the Union · 2019
State of the Union
7.02019
SeriesComedyDrama
Tom and Louise meet in a pub immediately before their weekly marital therapy session. With each successive episode we piece together how their lives were, what drew them together and what has started to pull them apart.
A Very English ScandalA Very English Scandal · 2018
A Very English Scandal
7.12018
SeriesDrama
It's the late 1960s, homosexuality has only just been legalised and Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the Liberal party, has a secret he's desperate to hide.
QuizQuiz · 2020
Quiz
6.92020
SeriesDrama
The story of Charles Ingram, a former British army major who caused a major scandal in the early 2000s after being caught cheating his way to winning £1 million on the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Ingram, his wife Diana and an accomplice, Tecwen Whittock, who was sitting in the audience, initially pulled off the on-screen heist before being caught and standing trial.
Parkin's PatchParkin's Patch · 1969
Parkin's Patch
1969
SeriesDrama
Parkin's Patch is a Yorkshire Television production that aired on ITV from 1969 to 1970. PC Moss Parkin played the lead role of a police constable in the North York Moors. The series was filmed in the North York Moors as well as certain scenes being shot in Leeds, including parts around the Farm Hill estate in Meanwood.
Reel BritanniaReel Britannia · 2022
Reel Britannia
8.52022
SeriesDocumentary
Comedian Nick Helm narrates this bold new documentary series exploring the dramatic history of British cinema. Discover how cinema held a mirror up to society from 1960 through to the 00s.
Brian and MaggieBrian and Maggie · 2025
Brian and Maggie
7.22025
SeriesDrama
A dramatization of the story behind and occasion of Thatcher’s last TV interview, the hugely damaging ITV grilling by her old friend Brian Walden, which some view as the final nail in her prime ministerial coffin.
Back to BarrytownBack to Barrytown · 2021
Back to Barrytown
2021
SeriesDocumentaryComedy
Colm Meaney presents a celebration of Roddy Doyle's trilogy about Dublin family the Rabbittes and the film adaptations of the books, The Commitments, The Snapper and The Van.
Brian and MaggieBrian and Maggie · 2025
Brian and Maggie
6.02025
SeriesDrama