I have been observing Ben's career since I was in high school and it seemed high time that I gave him a page all his own on my site. Hope you find it informative.
I know he is English and has a sister, Femi Taylor, who is a dancer/actress. I'll give you more details as I find them.
Benedict Taylor's Filmography
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Benedict plays a Naboo fighter pilot, known only as Bravo 2, in the film, which opened in May 1999. I have been told that he does NOT get killed off so he may appear in Episode II. Episode I traces the young years of Anakin Skywalker (a.k.a. Darth Vader) as well as the friendships between Obi-wan (Ben) Kenobi, Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn, among other things. I've heard that the pod race is worth seeing and the attention to detail is phenomenal, although the plot and character development is weak. (Ben's sister, Femi Taylor, is best known for playing Jabba the Hutt's Twi'lek slave dancer Oola in Return of the Jedi).
Monk Dawson (1998)
Ben plays Bobby in this drama "Based on Piers Paul Read's lauded novel, Monk Dawson is a moral fable about a radical clergyman who gets more than an Our Father and three Hail Marys when he turns his back on the Catholic Church. It's much like Jimmy McGovern's Priest if you substitute the Scouse blasphemy, incest and working class guilt for Home County profanity, Chelsea dinner parties and a public schoolboy's sense of shame." (quote from film review at www.empireonline.co.uk. Sorry, they've removed it.)
Darling Buds of May (1996?)
This great TV series is set in the early 1950's in England. Ben guest-starred in a two-part episode (in the 2nd or 3rd season I think) as Pieter, a young German who is working at odd jobs in the area. The Larkins take him under their wing and defend him from the hypocrisy of their neighbours who think he's simply smashing until they find out he's German. Turns out he fell in love with an Englishwoman when he was a prisoner of war (I think that's how it went), so the Larkins help get the two love birds together for a happy ending.
The 10 Percenters (1994)
This TV series depicted a comedic look at the life of the eccentric staff of a talent agency office. Ben played hunky, blond Atin.
Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After (1992)
TV soap about the British Royals with Benedict as Prince Andrew. I didn't watch it; I've seen enough of the real thing in the press, thanks!
Jewels (1992)
Ben played Julian in this slobbery romantic drama by the queen of mush and melodrama, Danielle Steele (do I sound biased? Naaaaaa!)
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992)
Benedict appeared as Sixtus in an episode entitled "Austria, March 1917" in this action series about a younger Indiana Jones and his hair-raising adventures.
Duel of Hearts (1992)
Did I say Danielle Steel was the queen of mush - sorry I meant Barbara Cartland! This romantic mystery stars Benedict as Lord Vane Brecon. (I don't know why I keep thinking of bacon and eggs when I read that name.) Michael York is the villain in this one. You know the scenario, well-bred young lady (Lady Caroline Fay played by Alison Doody) falls for handsome hunk (our Ben) who is very mysterious, sexy and in big trouble. She of course has to investigate, putting herself in peril so he can come to her rescue. Blech!! (I'm such a cynic.)
Zorro: The Series (1991)
Duncan Regehr starred as Zorro and Don Diego in this new series that ran from 1990-1993. Don Diego vacations in France, where he meets up with the descendants of the Three Musketeers, who are in dire need of help. Ben is one of the three in this two-part episode which aired in April 1991.
Bergerac (1989)
Bergerac is another British TV detective, but apparently a very good one. John Nettles plays Jim Bergerac. The show ran from October 1981 to December 1991 on BBC-1. Ben appeared as Toby Lemaire in the episode "When Did You Last See Your Father?" wherein Jim Bergerac is put under pressure to arrest a scrap dealer who he believes is innocent of assaulting a young girl.
A Perfect Spy (1987)
Now this is more like it! Ben was Young Pym in John Le Carré's espionage story, which was presented as a TV mini.
Vanity Fair (1987)
Another mini series based on the novel by William Makepeace Thackeray. During Napoleonic times, two women, poor Becky Sharp (Eve Matheson) and her naïve school chum Amelia Sedley (Rebecca Saire) marry soldiers and deal with the consequences of the Battle of Waterloo. I actually saw this series and really enjoyed it, especially Eve Matheson's performance, but it's a bummer when Ben's George Osborne gets killed in the war.
Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986)
Slobbery but well-made inter-faith romance during World War II with Tom Hanks as the romantic male lead and Benedict as his buddy, Peter, who both fall in love and want to marry Israeli women. Lots of fuss by the family of Tom's honey, but an eventual happy ending. Didn't receive much notice when it premiered, but you can get it on video now.
Behind Enemy Lines (1985)
Also called 92 Grosvenor Street, this TV movie starred Hal Holbrook and Ray Sharkey, but I don't know what it's about and don't know what role Ben played. Anyone seen it?
Black Arrow (1985)
Swords-wielding princes and bad guys in this Disney children's adventure based on Robert Louis Stevenson's book with Ben as young Richard Shelton. Co-starred Georgia Slowe, Oliver Reed and Fernando Rey among others. There are four movie versions dating back as far as 1948, including one in Italian and one in Russian! This 1985 version is on video if you feel the urge to rent.
The Corsican Brothers (1985)
Based on the novel about 18th century twin brothers with very different personalities. Olivia Hussey is in this one with Ben as well as in The Last Days of Pompeii.
Thirteen at Dinner (1985)
Ben was Donald Ross in a TV movie of Agatha Christie's mystery. Peter Ustinov played our clever little Belgian detective. (Note:David Suchet played Inspector Japp in this movie. He has since portrayed the quintessential Poirot on PBS' Mystery.)
The Far Pavilions (1984)
Based on the historical novel by M.M. Kaye, this TV mini starred Ben Cross and Amy Irving as lovers. Naturally, Ben's character, Wally, gets killed.
The Last Days of Pompeii (1984)
Benedict played Antonius, a priest-in-training who gets topped by Franco Nero's wicked head priest (if I remember correctly) in this soapy historical TV mini-series depicting the life and death of the city (and citizens) of Pompeii before and during the eruption of the volcano which buried the city under ash and lava during ancient Roman times (I'm not good with dates). Long cast list including Nicholas Clay, Olivia Hussey and Sidney Kean.
The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984)
Ben plays Edwin Flack, the entire team for Australia! Good historical fiction of the very first olympic competition held since the Greeks and Romans raced each other.
Beau Geste (1983)
I like the old black and white movie version with Gary Cooper as our hero. The Geste brothers trying to redeem their sullied name in the French Foreign Legion or something. But doesn't Beau die nobly in the end? Well, that never seems to stop a series from being made afterwards! Wish I'd seen some episodes. Did we ever get it here in N.A.?
Watcher in the Woods (1980)
One of my personal all-times favourites, flaws and all! Lynn Holly Johnson and Kyle Richards are two American sisters who move to England with their parents (David McCallum and Caroll Baker). They move into the reputedly haunted mansion of a strange crabby old woman (Bette Davis) whose daughter disappeared during an initiation ceremony thirty or so years earlier. The two girls start seeing and hearing mysterious things and must solve the puzzle or be haunted forever by the watcher in the woods. Ooohhhh, scary stuff! Benedict played our hero, Mike Fleming, on a dirt bike (and on a horse - but not at the same time!). Two endings were filmed supposedly, but I've watched this show at least a dozen times and I can't tell the difference. Can you? No wait, says in my notes that it was cut down from 108 minutes for video because it was "too confusing". For whom?
Barriers (1983)
This show was very popular when it came out. I used to watch it on Saturday mornings when I could get the episodes. My friend, Cindy, even found an article about Ben and the show in a teen magazine (silly me for not saving it). I never saw the whole series, so I don't actually know what happened in the end. It consisted of twenty 30-minute episodes and was made in England by Tyne-Tees TV. (Thanks Pam!)
"At 17, Billy Stanyon discovers he was adopted and that his real parents died in mysterious circumstances on the Austrian-Hungarian border in 1963. Determined to find out the truth, he follows a trail of danger that takes him across Europe and nearly takes his life. An international production starring Benedict Taylor and Paul Rogers."
description from British Independent Television Enterprise online catalogue
Dirty Dozen (?)
Came across this reference in the Zorro guide. A TV series based on the movie I guess.
Turn of the Screw (1974)
Benedict must have been a little nipper to be playing Timothy in this thriller with Lynn Redgrave. Incidentally, she also starred in the 1959 version in a different role. I loved the 1961 version called "The Innocents" with Deborah Kerr. Didn't care too much for the 1992 version with Patsy Kensit and Julian Sands, although I like both of them as actors. (This ghost story is based on the novel by Henry James. Hmm, I'll have to go read it.)
Aside from my own hard work, I would like acknowledge the Internet Movie Database as a source for this page. Please go see them!
The information on this page is accurate to the best of my abilities as of December 16, 2003
(obviously, it needs some serious updating). I have tried to give credits for photos and quotes wherever possible.
Please contact me at
if you have any comments or suggestions.
Benedict's page has been viewed times since September 1998.
Ben is scheduled to appear as a guest at a number of conventions. I have listed the ones I know about below. Thanks to all the organizers.
Telefantastique 2 (1999)
A multi-media sci-fi event, Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 1999, Radisson Edwardian Hotel, London, England. Please visit Telefantastique 2's web site for more information.
Rebellion 2 (1999)
Stars Wars Convention, 2- 3 October 1999, Moat House Hotel, Northampton, England. Please visit Rebellion 2 for more information.
Galaxion '99 (1999)
The biggest sci-fi convention in London, England, Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th October, 1999 at London's fabulous Olympia Exhibition Centre. Please visit Galaxion '99 for more information.
Dutch Starcon (1999)
This one takes place on October 23rd in the Netherlands. I didn't have much luck viewing the web site as my shockwave-flash program doesn't work properly. Please try Dutch Starcon's site for more info.
Ben's booked for another sci-fi convention in December but I have to get more information.
Benedict Taylor's Other Artistic Projects
Ben is an accomplished illustrator, collaborating with Allegra Taylor on a book titled "Healing Hands" which is available through various online book stores.
Benedict Taylor's Theatrical Performances
Good (1999)
Play by C.P. Taylor, performances March 18 to May 22, 1999 at Donmar Warehouse (171 369 1732) in London.
Performers are Eva Maria Bryer, Charles Dance, Benedict Taylor, Cymon Allen, Faith Brook, Emilia Fox, Ian Gelder, Peter Moreton, John Ramm, Jessica Turner
"Concerns a German professor who ends up working in Auschwitz as a result of his own political cowardice."
London Assurance (?)
Playbill signed by Billie Brown, Jonathan Elsom, Phyllida Hancock, Robert Ralph, Benedict Taylor.
Someone was selling an autographed playbill for this show, which is all I can tell you about it.
Timon of Athens
Book by H.J. Oliver and William Shakespeare.
It popped up on a search, so I wonder if this is an audiocassette with Ben doing the narration. Hmm.
First peek at the Star Wars poster - the 2-minute trailer released last fall didn't give much away either! But there's a new one being released in theatres very soon. (from the official site at www.starwars.com)
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