Ian Burfield

Ian Burfield's early theatre credits include The Crucible at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from 1987 to 1988, followed by Napoli milionaria at the National Theatre in 1991. He appeared as Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire at Bristol Old Vic from 2000 to 2001, Trotter in Journey's End at the Playhouse Theatre from 2004 to 2005, Bill Walker in Major Barbara at the National Theatre in 2008, Max in The Kitchen at the National Theatre in 2011, Solnius in The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre in 2012, Charlie in One Man, Two Guvnors at Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2013, and Ash in Dealer's Choice at Royal and Derngate in Northampton in 2014. Burfield is also a company member of the National Theatre and has appeared in productions screened in cinemas as part of the National Theatre Live scheme.

Burfield began his television career with appearances in Casualty from 1989 to 2011, playing various characters across four episodes. He appeared in London's Burning from 1990 to 1997 as the 1st Policeman and later as Martin, and played various characters in The Bill from 1990 to 2008 across 12 episodes. His other early television credits include Heartbeat from 1992 to 2009, in which he played various characters in three episodes, and The Knock from 1994 to 1996 as Tommy Maddern in Series 1 and 2. He first appeared in EastEnders in 1997 as DI Hamilton, appearing in three episodes. His other television work during the 1990s included Martin Kenyon in Hetty Wainthropp Investigates in 1998.

In 2000, Burfield appeared as Jimmy Brice in Hero to Zero and as Lynch in an episode of Urban Gothic. He played Frank Nicholls and Grant Saunders in two episodes of Holby City between 2001 and 2005. His television credits in 2003 included Sgt. Sam Perkins in Red Cap, Steve Patterson in William and Mary, Dave Reynolds in Rosemary & Thyme, Stephen Lovell in Waking the Dead, Harry Taylor in Grass and Alan Hardy in Sweet Medicine. In 2004, he appeared as Adrian Martindale in The Last Detective and Mr Adkins in Family Business.

Burfield played DS Hansford in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Brooker in Robin Hood in 2006. He returned to EastEnders from 2007 to 2008 and again in 2010 as DI Kelly, appearing in 21 episodes. His other television work included Jeffreys in Lewis in 2008, DI Patrick Petfield in New Tricks from 2009 to 2010, Derek Soper in Midsomer Murders in 2010, Terry in My Family in 2010, Nollar in Merlin in 2010, and Mike in Him & Her from 2010 to 2012. He played Drayman in three episodes of Coronation Street in 2011.

In 2012, Burfield appeared as DCI Andy Parkham in Public Enemies, the Judo Instructor in Live at the Electric, and DI Michael in The Secret of Crickley Hall. He played George in Way to Go in 2013 and Colin Cropper in Doctors in 2016. His later television credits include Stallholder in Lovesick in 2018, Nick Chapman in Doctors in 2019, Laurie Rooke in Big Boys from 2023 to 2024, and Ray Farrell in Doctors in 2023.

Burfield's EastEnders credits also include DCI Peter Arthurs, whom he played from 2018 through 2024 across 29 episodes. He appeared as the character in 2018, 2020 to 2022, and 2024. His television career has included numerous police and detective roles, including DI Hamilton, DI Kelly, DI Patrick Petfield, DCI Andy Parkham and DCI Peter Arthurs.

Burfield's film credits include Whip in The Krays (1990), Caspar in Circus (2000), the Tweed Coat Fingerman in V for Vendetta (2005), Thomas Schumer in The International (2009), Anton in Mercenaries (2011), Terry in Acts of Godfrey (2012), Billy Brazil in The Selfish Giant (2013), and a Flying Squad officer in Hatton Garden: the Heist (2016).