Don Warrington is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, with a career that spans five decades. From his breakthrough in the 1970s sitcom Rising Damp to his long-running role as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in Death in Paradise, he has built a reputation as a versatile and commanding actor. Yet despite his public profile, much of his personal life remains private, making him a subject of enduring curiosity.
Born in Trinidad and raised in England, Warrington trained at Drama Centre London and cut his teeth in repertory theatre. He rose to national fame at a time when Black actors were rarely seen in lead roles on British television. His transition from comedy to drama, and from television to stage and film, marks him out as one of the country’s most accomplished performers.
This article brings together verified facts about his life, career, family, and finances. Where information is incomplete or contested, that is stated clearly. The goal is to provide a reliable, up-to-date resource for anyone looking to understand who Don Warrington is, what he has achieved, and what remains unknown.
Who is Don Warrington’s wife?
Don Warrington (born Donald Williams)
Philip Smith in Rising Damp, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in Death in Paradise
23 May 1951
Not publicly disclosed
- Don Warrington is a Trinidadian-born British actor who rose to fame in the 1970s sitcom Rising Damp.
- He currently stars in the long-running BBC series Death in Paradise as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.
- He was appointed MBE for services to drama and charity, reflecting his impact on British television.
- His personal life remains largely private, with limited confirmed information about his wife and children.
- His stage career includes work with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Bristol Old Vic.
- He changed his surname from Williams to avoid confusion with another actor already registered with Equity.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Donald Williams (later Don Warrington) |
| Date of Birth | 23 May 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Trinidad (raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, England) |
| Notable Roles | Philip Smith (Rising Damp), Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Death in Paradise) |
| Honours | MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire, 2008 Birthday Honours) |
| Spouse | Mary Maddocks |
| Children | At least two sons, including Archie Maddocks and Jacob Warrington |
| Training | Drama Centre London |
What is Don Warrington’s net worth?
No reliable, source-backed net worth figure for Don Warrington has been published. The available biographies, database entries, and official profiles do not include financial details. Some websites publish speculative estimates, but these cannot be traced to audited accounts, public filings, or direct statements from the actor.
Warrington has worked consistently in television, theatre, and film since the 1970s. His long-running role in Death in Paradise and his ongoing stage work suggest a stable career, but without verifiable financial data any specific number is conjecture.
Net worth estimates found online are not supported by credible sources. None of the authoritative biographical records — including Wikipedia, the University of the West Indies biodata, or official actor databases — provide a net worth figure. Treat any online estimate as unconfirmed.
The lack of transparency is common among British actors of his generation who do not court publicity around their finances. Until a reliable source — such as a publicly filed account, a probate record, or a direct confirmation — emerges, any net worth claim remains unsupported.
While net worth is unknown, it is possible to track Warrington’s professional trajectory. He has been continuously active since 1974, holds a major ongoing role on a prime-time BBC series, and has performed with leading theatre companies. These factors indicate a sustained career, but they do not translate into a verifiable financial figure.
What are Don Warrington’s most famous movies and TV shows?
Rising Damp (1974–1978)
Warrington’s breakthrough came with Rising Damp, the ITV sitcom in which he played Philip Smith, a sharp-minded medical student. The show ran for four series and made him one of the most recognisable Black actors on British television at the time. The role was praised for breaking away from the stereotypical portrayals then common in comedy.
Death in Paradise (2011–present)
Since 2011, Warrington has portrayed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise. The show is set on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint-Marie and has run for more than ten series. His character serves as the head of the local police force, often dispensing dry wisdom to the visiting detectives. The role has introduced him to a global audience and is now his longest-running television part.
Other television credits
Beyond his two best-known roles, Warrington has appeared in a wide range of British television programmes. His credits include Doctor Who, Casualty, Holby City, The Crouches, Manchild, Trial and Retribution, New Street Law, and C.A.T.S. Eyes. These roles span comedy, medical drama, legal drama, and science fiction, demonstrating his range across genres.
Stage work
Warrington’s stage career is as substantial as his screen work. After training at Drama Centre London, he performed with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Bristol Old Vic. His stage credits include productions of King Lear and Driving Miss Daisy. He is regarded in biographical sources as one of Britain’s leading contemporary and classical stage actors.
Unlike many actors who focus on either screen or stage, Warrington has maintained a parallel theatre career throughout his television work. His training at Drama Centre London and his association with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company place him among a small group of British actors who move easily between mass-audience TV and classical stage performance.
Film credits
Warrington’s film work, though less prominent than his television and stage roles, includes a diverse set of projects. According to his University of the West Indies biodata, his film credits include Hamlet, Black XXX-Mas, Land of the Blind, Babymother, Tube Tales, Eight and a Half Women, and It’s a Wonderful Afterlife.
What was Don Warrington’s early life and career like?
Childhood and move to England
Don Warrington was born Don Williams on 23 May 1951 in Trinidad. His father was Basil Kydd, a Trinidadian politician, and his mother was Shirley Williams (also recorded as Shirley Kydd). After his father’s death, Warrington moved to England with his mother and older brother. He was raised in Newcastle upon Tyne from around the age of five, living on Warrington Road — a coincidence that may have influenced his later stage name.
Education and early acting
Warrington attended Drama Centre London, where he trained in classical and contemporary acting. He began performing in repertory theatre while still in his teens, gaining practical experience in front of live audiences. His early work in rep laid the foundation for his later success in both television and stage.
Name change
He adopted the stage name Don Warrington because another actor named Don Williams was already registered with Equity, the British actors’ union. The name Warrington was taken from the street where he grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne. This practical decision gave him a distinctive professional identity that has stayed with him throughout his career.
Breakthrough and rise
Warrington’s first major television role came in 1974 when he was cast as Philip Smith in Rising Damp. The sitcom, set in a rundown boarding house, became a hit and ran for four years. For a young Black actor to hold a regular role in a prime-time British sitcom in the 1970s was exceptional, and the part made Warrington a household name.
How did Don Warrington’s career develop over time?
- 1951 – Born in Trinidad.
- c. 1956 – Moves to Newcastle upon Tyne, England, with his mother and brother after his father’s death.
- 1974–1978 – Plays Philip Smith in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp, his breakthrough role.
- 2008 – Appointed MBE in the Birthday Honours for services to drama.
- 2011–present – Portrays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson in Death in Paradise.
- Ongoing – Continues to work in theatre with major companies including the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Don Warrington?
While many biographical details are well documented, some aspects of Warrington’s life are not publicly verified. The table below separates established facts from information that remains unclear.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Date and place of birth: 23 May 1951, Trinidad | Exact net worth figure |
| Major acting roles: Rising Damp, Death in Paradise | Specific year of MBE award (2008 is confirmed by some sources but not all timelines include it) |
| MBE honour for services to drama | Full details of his children’s lives and careers |
| Raised in Newcastle upon Tyne from around age five | Whether he is still married to Mary Maddocks or if the relationship status has changed |
| Trained at Drama Centre London | Date of his marriage to Mary Maddocks |
| Spouse: Mary Maddocks (named in multiple sources) | — |
| Children: at least two sons, Archie Maddocks and Jacob Warrington | — |
What is Don Warrington’s place in British television?
Don Warrington is a significant figure in British television history for several reasons. His role in Rising Damp broke stereotypes at a time when Black characters were often confined to minor or caricatured parts. Playing a well-spoken, ambitious medical student in a prime-time sitcom was a deliberate move away from those tropes, and it resonated with audiences.
His later role in Death in Paradise has given him a second career peak. The show is broadcast internationally and has made Warrington familiar to viewers around the world. As Commissioner Patterson, he represents authority and stability, providing consistent visibility for a Black actor in a long-running drama series.
Biographical material from the University of the West Indies describes him as “one of Britain’s leading contemporary/classical actors.” His combination of popular television work with serious stage performances at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company places him in a small group of actors who have achieved both commercial success and critical respect.
Where can readers find trustworthy information about Don Warrington?
The most reliable sources for Warrington’s biography are his Wikipedia entry, the University of the West Indies biodata, and his profile on the London Theatre website. These sources are based on verifiable records and are regularly updated. Less authoritative sources, such as user-contributed databases and social media accounts, may contain errors or unverified claims.
“Don Warrington MBE (born Don Williams, 23 May 1951) is a Trinidadian-born British actor. He is best known for playing Philip Smith in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp (1974–78).”
— Wikipedia
“Don was raised in Warrington Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. Inspired to act after seeing the film On the Waterfront (1954), he got into stage school then became an actor.”
— IMDB biography notes
For official programme information, the BBC’s Death in Paradise page and Apple TV’s actor listing provide current career details. The Movie Database (TMDB) offers a community-maintained filmography. None of these sources publish net worth estimates or unsupported personal claims, which is consistent with Warrington’s preference for privacy.
What is the key takeaway about Don Warrington?
Don Warrington is a Trinidadian-born British actor who has built a remarkable career over five decades. From his groundbreaking role in Rising Damp to his long-running part in Death in Paradise, he has remained a steady presence on British screens while also maintaining a respected stage career. His MBE reflects his contribution to drama. His personal life, including details about his wife and children, is only partly public, and no reliable net worth figure exists. For anyone seeking accurate information about Warrington, the best sources are his Wikipedia entry, the University of the West Indies biodata, and official BBC programme pages. See our full guide to Death in Paradise cast for more on the show that brought him to a new generation of viewers.
Frequently asked questions about Don Warrington
What is Don Warrington’s real name?
He was born Donald Williams. He changed his surname to Warrington because another actor was already registered as Don Williams with Equity.
How old is Don Warrington?
He was born on 23 May 1951, which makes him 73 years old as of 2025.
Does Don Warrington have children?
Yes. Sources name at least two sons: Archie Maddocks and Jacob Warrington (also recorded as Jake Fairbrother).
What is Don Warrington’s role in Death in Paradise?
He plays Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, the head of the police force on the fictional island of Saint-Marie.
When did Don Warrington start acting?
He began acting in repertory theatre in his teens and made his television debut in 1974 with Rising Damp.
What awards has Don Warrington won?
He was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to drama.
What was Don Warrington’s first TV role?
His first major television role was Philip Smith in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp, which began in 1974.
Is Don Warrington on social media?
An Instagram account exists under the handle @donbwarrington, but it is not verified as his official account in the sources provided.
What theatre companies has Don Warrington worked with?
He has performed with the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Bristol Old Vic.
Where was Don Warrington raised?
After moving from Trinidad to England as a child, he was raised in Newcastle upon Tyne from around the age of five.
Oliver Harrison is Senior Reporter at TheUKDaily.uk, covering breaking national news and general UK stories.