We are delighted to announce that With an extraordinary career spanning comedy, drama, and blockbuster franchises, Martin has become one of the UK’s most recognisable and versatile performers.
A Career of Standout Performances
Martin first captured audiences as Tim Canterbury in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s groundbreaking sitcom The Office (2001–2003). His understated, relatable performance quickly made him a household name and set the stage for a career full of diverse roles.
He went on to star in some of the most acclaimed television of the century, including his Emmy-winning turn as Dr. John Watson in Sherlock (2010–2017) opposite Benedict Cumberbatch, and his Golden Globe–nominated role in the Coen brothers’ anthology series Fargo (2014). Most recently, Martin earned critical acclaim for his lead role in the BBC/Hulu drama The Responder (2022–), showcasing his talent for gritty, emotionally complex storytelling.
On the big screen, Martin is equally celebrated. He played Arthur Dent in the cult sci-fi The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005), charmed audiences in Love Actually (2003), and cemented his place in blockbuster history as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014). He also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as CIA operative Everett K. Ross in Captain America: Civil War (2016), reprising the role in Black Panther (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and Secret Invasion (2023).
A Remarkable 2025
This year has already been a milestone for Martin. In March, he returned to the stage in a critically praised West End revival of Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming. In television, he is set to lead the third season of The Responder, which continues to garner international acclaim. And later this autumn, audiences will see Martin star in the highly anticipated Netflix thriller The Undertow.
Welcoming Martin to the Festival
We are honoured to welcome Martin Freeman to Worcester Film Festival 2025. His remarkable body of work, spanning intimate British television to global cinema, embodies the festival’s mission to celebrate storytelling in all its forms. We cannot wait to see the insight, expertise, and passion Martin brings to this year’s Guest Jury Panel.