Ian William Richardson CBE (7 April 1934 – 9 February 2007) was a Scottish actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Conservative politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC Television trilogy House of Cards (1990–1995), as well as Bill Haydon in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979). His other notable screen work included a portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the television films The Sign of Four and The Hound of the Baskervilles (both 1983), as well as significant roles in Brazil (1985), M. Butterfly (1993), and Dark City (1998).
