My Critique of Michael Brandon
Michael Brandon’s transatlantic presence hinges on a rugged yet vulnerable masculinity, best realised as the eponymous U.S. liaison in Dempsey and Makepeace.
Rooted in New York stagecraft, he handles morally ambiguous leads with an unshowy authority that separates him from flashier contemporaries. Yet the roles often settle into genre convention, and his early thrillers with Argento or De Niro reveal a talent intermittently constrained by formula.
That same authenticity found a warmer channel in later British television, anchoring Doctor Who’s grounded military perspective. For modern viewers, he remains a compelling conduit for American grit within UK television, a dependable performer whose credibility elevates procedural material without transforming it.
Early Life
Michael Brandon, born Michael Feldman on April 20, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, grew up with the rhythms of the city in his blood. Of Jewish heritage, his formative years were spent in Valley Stream, New York, where he attended Memorial Junior High and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School.
The spark for performance ignited early, leading him to the rigorous training ground of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
Determined to hone his craft to a fine edge, Brandon further immersed himself in the techniques of method acting by participating in workshops at the legendary Actors Studio. This foundational work paid a significant early dividend when, in 1969, he made his Broadway debut at the Belasco Theater in ‘Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?’, sharing the stage with a young Al Pacino.
This prestigious start provided the perfect launchpad, and soon after, Brandon headed west to Los Angeles to chase the possibilities of film and television.
Early Career & First Roles
Brandon’s transition to screen was swift and promising. He secured his first leading film role almost immediately in the ensemble comedy ‘Lovers and Other Strangers’ (1970), holding his own alongside established talents like Bea Arthur and Diane Keaton.
This was quickly followed by a role in ‘Jennifer on My Mind’ (1971), which featured an early performance by Robert De Niro.
Demonstrating an intriguing early versatility, Brandon also ventured into European cinema, starring as the haunted protagonist Robert Tobias in Dario Argento’s stylish Italian giallo thriller ‘Four Flies on Grey Velvet’ (1971). Throughout the 1970s, he became a familiar face in television movies, tackling diverse roles in projects like ‘The Red Badge of Courage’ (1974), ‘Cage Without a Key’ (1975), and the rock-radio drama ‘FM’ (1978), steadily building a reputation as a reliable and compelling leading man.
Major Roles
Michael Brandon’s career is a fascinating tapestry woven from both American and British threads, showcasing an actor with remarkable adaptability. While he found steady work on U.S.
television, including a stint on the primetime soap ‘Emerald Point N.A.S.’ (1983-84), it was in the UK where he landed the role that would define him for a generation and cement his place in the mystery/crime pantheon we celebrate here.
Lieutenant James Dempsey, Dempsey and Makepeace (1985-1986)
For fans of a certain vintage, Michael Brandon is, first and foremost, Detective Lieutenant James Dempsey. This iconic role was a perfect storm of character, chemistry, and cultural moment.
Dempsey was a rule-bending, street-smart NYPD detective “seconded” to London’s posh and protocol-heavy Serious Crimes Unit. Brandon played him with a brilliant, swaggering charm—all leather jacket, Brooklyn accent, and a healthy disdain for British bureaucracy.
The magic, however, was in the explosive dynamic with his assigned partner, the aristocratic, by-the-book Detective Sergeant Harriet “Harry” Makepeace, played with equal verve by Glynis Barber. Their “fish-out-of-water” tension was the engine of the show, a continuous and delightful clash of cultures, methodologies, and personalities.
Brandon mastered the art of the witty retort and the rebellious grin, making Dempsey immensely likable even when he was driving his superiors to distraction.
Beyond the buddy-cop banter, Brandon ensured Dempsey had substance. He was a profoundly capable detective whose unorthodox methods were rooted in a deep, intuitive understanding of the criminal mind and a relentless drive for justice.
The character’s emotional layers were peeled back over time, revealing the dedication and integrity beneath the cool exterior. ‘Dempsey and Makepeace’ was a massive hit, capturing the high-octane, glamorous spirit of 80s television.
Brandon’s performance didn’t just create a memorable detective; it created a television icon whose partnership with Barber remains one of the most beloved in British crime drama history.
U.S. General Sanchez, Doctor Who (2008)
Decades after ‘Dempsey and Makepeace’, Brandon delivered a masterclass in how a skilled actor can command attention in a single episode. His guest appearance in the ‘Doctor Who’ two-parter “The Sontaran Stratagem” / “The Poison Sky” showcased a different but equally compelling facet of his talent.
As U.S. General Sanchez, he was the epitome of authoritative, military gravitas.
Tasked with overseeing a global environmental project, Sanchez initially represented a very human, bureaucratic obstacle to the Doctor’s investigation—a man of orders and protocols. Brandon played him with a stern, no-nonsense dignity that made his eventual realization of the terrible truth all the more powerful.
In the face of an alien threat, Sanchez’s military resolve transformed into heroic sacrifice. Brandon conveyed this shift with a compelling subtlety, moving from skeptical official to determined soldier without a hint of melodrama.
His performance grounded the sci-fi extravagance with a vital sense of real-world consequence and human cost. For the ‘Doctor Who’ audience, it was a thrilling surprise to see a face from classic British action television return in such a pivotal, dramatic role.
Brandon proved that his ability to project strength and conviction had only deepened with time, making General Sanchez a memorable and respected figure in the Tenth Doctor’s era.
Other Notable Work
Brandon’s genre contributions extend far beyond these two highlights. He led the ITV crime series ‘Murder Investigation Team’ (2003-2005) as Detective Inspector Trevor Hands, bringing a more contemporary, procedural grit to the screen.
He also enjoyed a delightful recurring role in the BBC’s con-artist drama ‘Hustle’ as Marcus Wendell, a slick and morally flexible lawyer, showcasing his flair for charismatic, morally ambiguous characters.
His voice became a comforting presence to a new generation as the narrator for the American dub of ‘Thomas & Friends’ for nearly a decade. On stage, he demonstrated his song-and-dance chops in the West End production of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’.
Even in blockbuster cinema, he lent his authoritative presence as Senator Brandt in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011). Each role, big or small, is a testament to his professional range and enduring appeal.
Acting Style
Michael Brandon’s acting style is best described as professionally versatile and fundamentally compelling. He possesses a natural, grounded presence that allows him to seamlessly transition between American and British idioms, a rare skill he honed through his transatlantic career.
There is an authentic weight to his performances, whether he’s delivering a cynical quip as Dempsey or a solemn order as General Sanchez.
His early training in the theater and at The Actors Studio is evident in his commitment to character. He builds performances from a place of internal logic, ensuring his characters feel lived-in and specific.
He excels at portraying capable, often authoritative figures, but he consistently finds the human vulnerabilities and idiosyncrasies within them. This blend of strength and accessibility is key to his longevity and the affection in which audiences hold him.
Personal Life
Brandon’s personal life is happily intertwined with his professional one. After a first marriage to actress Lindsay Wagner in the late 1970s, he found lasting partnership with his ‘Dempsey and Makepeace’ co-star, Glynis Barber.
The couple married in 1989 and have a son, Alexander, born in 1992. They have made their home in London, fully embracing life in the UK.
Away from the set, Brandon is known to be an avid gardener and a fitness enthusiast who enjoys jogging. He has a passion for scuba diving and has maintained a lifelong love for superhero comics.
He cites Marlon Brando as a key acting influence, which speaks to his appreciation for powerful, transformative character work. Together, he and Barber remain a beloved and enduring fixture of the British acting community.
In closing…
Michael Brandon’s career is a model of professional resilience and cross-cultural success. From the Broadway stage to the gritty streets of London as Dempsey, from children’s television narration to the battlefields of a ‘Doctor Who’ episode, he has navigated every challenge with skill and charisma.
For connoisseurs of mystery and crime drama, he remains the definitive American detective on British soil, a performer who took a classic archetype and made it irresistibly his own. His body of work is a rich and rewarding journey, marked by memorable characters and a consistently engaging presence that continues to resonate.