P is for... Purcell

Jim Purcell was the bullying and obnoxious landlord of Alex and Claire, who lived with their son George in a high rise flat. Purcell lived alone with only bulldog Bernard for company. George was really an alien child who possessed remarkable abilities. Terrified of rejection, he was constantly afraid and could banish the objects of his fears - containing them within an old dolls house in his bedroom cupboard. Purcell represented one of these terrors for the boy, and he found himself suddenly sucked down into his carpet one evening, as though into quicksand. He then found himself in the dolls house where he was attacked by the wooden Peg Dolls which inhabited it. He was transformed into one of the creatures.

Once George overcame his fears, everyone was returned to normal, including Purcell. The experience would hopefully have made him a less unpleasant individual.

Played by: Andrew Tiernan. Appearances: Night Terrors (2011).

• An early film role for Tiernan was as Piers Gaveston in Derek Jarman's 1991 film of Marlowe's Edward II.
• He played doomed astronaut Victor Carroon in 2005's live remake of The Quatermass Experiment.
• Other film roles include 300 and its sequel, Interview with the Vampire and The Pianist, whilst TV appearances include Jonathan Creek, Midsomer Murders, Foyle's War and Dalziel & Pascoe.