British stage and screen actor, renowned for portraying characters that often embodied indecision and timidity, typically mild-mannered or naive types who frequently met a tragic end. Despite never attending drama school, Collings successfully transitioned into television work, leveraging the guidance of a fellow actor. He began his professional acting career with the Liverpool Repertory Theatre in the early 1960s.
Collings' television career spanned from 1965, initially featuring appearances in prominent cop shows such as Z Cars (1962) and Softly Softly (1966). However, he gained lasting recognition for his work in science fiction, often undergoing extensive alien make-up for his roles. Notable performances include playing an alien kidnap victim turned human bomb in The Psychobombs (1970) and a 'Vogan' renegade scientist seeking to destroy the robotic nemesis in Revenge of the Cybermen.
Collings' experience in Doctor Who led to repeat appearances in two more installments: as the driver of a mining vehicle on an extraterrestrial world struggling with 'robophobia' while confronting The Robots of Death, and as the titular antagonist, an immortal and disfigured alien scientist, in Mawdryn Undead.
Beyond science fiction, Collings specialized in period drama, showcasing his versatility as the often mistreated and underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit in Scrooge (1970),the spy John Barsad (aka Solomon Pross) in A Tale of Two Cities (1980),the Russian liberal politician Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov in Fall of Eagles (1974),and British Tory Prime Minister William Pitt in the miniseries Prince Regent (1979).
On stage, Collings portrayed Lord Stanley in a National Theatre production of Richard III and the King of France in Henry V at the Royal Exchange in Manchester. Additionally, he lent his voice to the character of Legolas in the BBC 4 radio serial The Lord of the Rings.
