Remembering Anthony Stewart Head: Three of His Best Roles
In memoriam
British actor Anthony Stewart Head passed away this week due to complications from pneumonia. This is a heavy blow to a lot of fans, especially those who grew up with his work.
Head had a really busy career, with cameos in dozens of shows from “Doctor Who” to “Warehouse 13” to “Galavant.” He even showed up in “Bridgerton” for an episode in 2022.
Let’s look back at three of Head’s biggest roles, and explore why they made such an impact on generations of TV viewers.
‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)
Millennials will probably know Anthony Head best for his role as Rupert Giles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Giles was Buffy’s mentor, a Watcher meant to train her as her generation’s Slayer.
Over the course of the show, he becomes a pseudo-father to Buffy, and even has a heartfelt song in “Once More With Feeling.” He feels like he’s standing in Buffy’s way, but eventually realizes that she still needs him as she grows into an adult.
Giles really was the blueprint for the modern-day “kindly British man mentor” archetype.
‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–2023)
If you’re a fan of more recent, modern television, you’ll know Anthony Head as a different Rupert: Rupert Mannion. This Rupert was pretty much the opposite of his character on “Buffy.” Rupert Mannion is the reason the entire show’s plot occurs.
In the first episode of “Ted Lasso,” Rebecca Welton takes ownership of her ex-husband’s football club and tries to sabotage the team to get back at him. She has a change of heart and becomes friends with her new employee and coach, Ted Lasso, but that doesn’t mean Rupert goes away. Instead, he returns to Richmond in season three as a season regular. And he’s the perfect villainous foil to Lasso’s happy-go-lucky attitude.
‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)
Finally, if you’re a British BBC enjoyer or an American who grew up watching weird fantasy shows on whatever cable channels would carry them, you’ll recognize Head as Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father on “Merlin.” Uther’s story is complicated: as the one enforcing anti-magic laws and the main source of problems in his own kingdom, he’s Merlin’s main antagonist. But he’s also Arthur’s father and the king of Camelot, so Merlin has to work hard to keep him and his family out of harm’s way.
You won’t find many Arthurian adaptations that look kindly on Uther Pendragon—especially if they stick to the source material regarding Morgana—but “Merlin” took a more sympathetic approach to the character. You still root against him, but you feel bad for him while you do. Head’s stellar performance really adds another layer to his character.
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