Next person biography:
Born in Lancashire, this former art teacher has had a remarkable career spanning over three decades, achieving great success in both acting and writing for television, film, and stage.
With a first film appearance in Kes (1969),he won a BAFTA for his portrayal of the sympathetic Mr. Farthing. His early television career began in 1962 with a role in the long-running police serial Z Cars, where he played Constable David Graham until 1965. The show's groundbreaking grittiness introduced a new realism to the genre, making him a household name.
In the 1970s, he combined acting and writing, appearing in films like Villain (1971) and Straw Dogs (1971),as well as an episode of the popular TV series Faces (1975) and its big-screen adaptation Sweeney! (1977). He also wrote and appeared in several plays and TV movies, earning him the title of Best TV Playwright in Britain in 1970, 1973, and 1974. In 1972, he won a BAFTA for Kisses at Fifty (1973).
Welland reappeared in the 1978 finale of Z Cars, alongside the other original stars. He then delivered a memorable performance in Dennis Potter's award-winning play Blue Remembered Hills (1979),playing the role of a child. In 1979, he wrote and directed the successful film Yanks, followed by the multi-award-winning Chariots of Fire (1981),for which he won the Best Screenplay Oscar.
Throughout his career, Welland has written several notable films, including Twice in a Lifetime (1985),A Dry White Season (1989),and War of the Buttons (1994). He has also made occasional acting appearances, last seen in Our Brave Boys (1998) and Loose Women (1998).
In his personal life, he has been married to Patricia Sweeney since 1962 and has four children: Genevieve, Catherine, Caroline, and Christie.
