Richard Syms is a British male actor and vicar born in London , England , UK in 1943. His acting career spans both film and television, with his works covering genres such as fantasy and drama. Richard Syms began his career by appearing in the television series Rumpole of the Bailey in 1980, and subsequently participated in numerous film and television productions. Between 1994 and 1996, he appeared in films such as A Dark Adapted Eye and Secrets & Lies, portraying roles including that of a priest. In 2003, he starred in the television series Horatio Hornblower: Duty, and in 2010, he appeared in Sherlock and Cemetery Junction. In 2016, he featured in works such as Alice Through the Looking Glass , Their Finest, and The Crown . His co-stars have included Martin Freeman and Olivia Colman , among others.