Philip Glenister Opens Up About His Legendary Family: The Sherwood Connection and a Father's Legacy

The Glenister Dynasty: Behind the Iconic Face of DCI Gene Hunt

Philip Glenister, the actor who made DCI Gene Hunt a cultural phenomenon in Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, recently sat down with Alan Titchmarsh on Love Your Weekend and peeled back the curtain on his extraordinary family. As captured in Screenshot (550).png, the 62-year-old star shared intimate details about his father, legendary television director John Glenister, and his equally famous brother, Robert Glenister, who currently stars in the hit drama Sherwood.

The conversation, airing Sunday mornings on ITV, revealed a household steeped in showbiz royalty—yet Philip admitted that his own path to acting was anything but a foregone conclusion. With his trademark wit and humility, he painted a picture of sibling rivalry, paternal anxiety, and a career that almost went behind the camera instead of in front of it.

A Father's Legacy: John Glenister, the Master Behind the Lens

John Glenister, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 92, was a titan of British television. His directorial credits read like a masterclass in classic TV drama: The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Rumpole of the Bailey, A Touch of Frost, and Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. He also helmed Dennis Potter's 1971 biopic of Casanova and the historical epic Marie Curie.

Philip revealed that his father's deep understanding of the industry's rollercoaster nature made him wary of his sons entering the profession. "When I told him I'd been offered a place at drama school, he went, 'Oh no!'" Philip recalled on the show. "Having one actor in the family is better than having two."

Yet despite those misgivings, John's influence is undeniable. Philip initially believed he would follow in his father's footsteps as a director. "I always thought I'd be behind the camera a bit like the old man, you know. I'm still working on it but it never quite worked out like that!" he joked.

Robert Glenister: The Brother Who Knew His Calling

Robert Glenister, now 65, carved his own path early. Unlike Philip, who found acting later, Robert knew from a young age that the stage was his destiny. "Robert knew he wanted to act from a very early age—he did theatre locally," Philip explained.

Robert's career exploded with his role as Ash "Three Socks" Morgan in the beloved crime series Hustle (2004–2012) and Nicholas Blake in the spy drama Spooks (2006–2010). More recently, he has appeared in Cold Feet, Curfew, The Night Caller, and the Disney+ series A Thousand Blows (2025). But it's his role as DI Kevin Salisbury in the critically acclaimed Sherwood that has thrust him back into the spotlight—a show written by James Graham, who also penned This House, the last stage play Philip performed in back in 2012.

Philip couldn't resist a playful dig at his sibling's success: "The last theatre I did was in 2012… This House, written by James Graham, who went on to do Dear England and Sherwood, which obviously my brother is in. Thanks, James!" Alan Titchmarsh quipped back, "No sibling rivalry?" To which Philip replied with a smirk, "No, no, none at all!"

The Actor's Own Storied Career

Philip Glenister, now 62, has built an enviable résumé of his own. Beyond Gene Hunt, he delivered memorable performances as DCI William Bell in State of Play and Reverend Anderson in Outcast. More recently, he appeared in the second series of After the Flood as Jack Radcliffe.

• Early fame: Life on Mars (2006–2007) made him a household name, with its gritty 1970s setting and Hunt's politically incorrect charm.
• Versatility: He's worked across genres—from period dramas to psychological thrillers—proving his range beyond the detective mold.
• Stage work: His last theatre appearance was in 2012's This House, a political drama that ran at the National Theatre.

The Glenister brothers may share DNA and a profession, but their trajectories are distinctly their own. As Philip told Titchmarsh, "It's terrible… Having one actor in the family is better than having two." Yet the audience can't help but admire the family's collective contribution to British screen and stage.

The Human Element: A Family Affair

What makes this interview so compelling is the genuine warmth between Philip and his family's legacy. He didn't just list credits; he revealed the emotional cost and pride. John Glenister's death last year cast a poignant shadow over the conversation, but Philip's lighthearted anecdotes kept the mood celebratory.

The actor also touched on the pressure of growing up around fame. "I always thought I'd be in the industry, but I didn't know which side," he said. His father's career gave him a unique perspective on the business—both its glamour and its unpredictability. That insider knowledge, he implied, made his own choice to become an actor all the more fraught.

Robert's absence from the interview didn't stop Philip from teasing him. After mentioning that Robert is in Sherwood, he added a cheeky "thanks James!"—a nod to the writer who gave Robert the gig. The sibling banter, captured perfectly in Screenshot (550).png, felt refreshingly real.

Love Your Weekend: A Platform for Honest Celebrity Talk

Alan Titchmarsh, 76, proved again why he's the master of light but probing celebrity interviews. He gently guided Philip from family history to current projects, never letting the conversation stray into gossip. The result was a segment that felt like an intimate fireside chat—complete with three images from the show that ITV shared with the public.

The episode, which airs every Sunday at 9:30am on ITV and ITV X, serves as a reminder that behind the iconic characters of British television are real people with real families. For fans of Life on Mars or Hustle, it's a rare chance to see the man behind the trench coat and the brother behind the con artist.

As Philip wrapped up his segment, he left viewers with a sense of gratitude—for his father's career, his brother's success, and his own unlikely journey. "I'm still working on it," he said of his directing ambitions, "but it never quite worked out like that!" In true Glenister fashion, he delivered the line with a wink, leaving fans hoping that one day, he might just get behind that camera after all.

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh continues Sundays at 9:30am on ITV and ITV X, bringing more star-studded conversations and heartfelt revelations.

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