The Batman (2022): Every Live-Action Alfred Pennyworth, Ranked

Batman has had many allies over the years, from the multitude of Robins to Batgirl to Commissioner Jim Gordon. However, his first and arguably most important ally has always been Alfred Pennyworth. Alfred is more than a butler, he’s the closest thing to a father that Bruce Wayne has.

Over the years, there have been many versions of Alfred to match each incarnation of Batman. Every Alfred brings something unique to the table while also delivering on what makes the character so lovable. There are usually three main factors to consider for a good Alfred: his fatherly love for Bruce, his companionship with Batman, and his sassy but charming butler side.

9 Douglas Hodge – Joker (2019)

It is of no fault to the actor or the portrayal that this version of Alfred is ranked so low. The 2019 Joker movie was not a Batman film; it was an origin story about the man who became Batman’s greatest nemesis. As a result, Alfred is reduced to a slightly extended cameo.

Douglas Hodge properly portrays a guardian figure willing to protect a young Bruce Wayne. The rage he lets out when he thinks Arthur is a potential threat is a possible hint to Alfred’s military background. Other than that, since Alfred has barely over a minute of screentime, there isn’t much to go on.

8 Ian Abercrombie – Birds Of Prey (2002-2003)

Ian Abercrombie certainly has the look, sound, and feel of Alfred Pennyworth down pat. He’s also the narrator of Birds of Prey, so his presence is felt throughout the series but since the show only lasted one season, there wasn’t much for the actor to do.

This Alfred retains the calm demeanor with a bright disposition similar to the Michael Gough version. If Abercrombie had been given more seasons, his Alfred might have evolved over time but as is, he’s a good but less memorable Alfred.

7 Michael Gough – Burtonverse (1989-1997)

As the first cinematic Alfred Pennyworth, Michael Gough excelled as the loyal butler and father figure for Bruce Wayne. Throughout the four cinematic entries in which he played Alfred, the bond between him and Batman felt genuine. Even in the infamously awful Batman & Robin, Alfred and Bruce featured the best story arc.

Where Michael Gough lacks is with aiding Batman. The most that he does is help Batman turn the citizens of Gotham City against the Penguin and prepare the suit for Bruce Wayne. He’s mostly acting as a butler which, while enjoyable, makes him one of the least helpful Alfreds.

6 Alan Napier – Batman (1966-1968)

Alan Napier was the Alfred Pennyworth of the Adam West Batman series. Similar to Gough, his portrayal is more or less a butler for Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. However, Napier was the first Alfred to nail that sassy attitude that has since become a trademark of the character.

Though it doesn’t happen a lot, Napier’s Alfred is shown in many different episodes of Batman to help Batman with technology in the Batcave. He was an Alfred Pennyworth that fit the Silver Age of campiness and a more family-friendly approach to the Batman mythos.

5 Jack Bannon (2019-Present)

Nobody really expected Alfred to get his own spin-off but he did with the origin story series, Pennyworth. Jack Bannon plays Alfred Pennyworth as a young man, showing the days when Alfred was serving his country and how he met Thomas Wayne.

As a result, Bannon plays a radically different Alfred but in a good way. He still has the wit and charm that Alfred is known for but he’s more of a fighter seeing how he’s a SAS veteran turned spy. It’s almost as if Alfred was James Bond, and Bannon nails the portrayal, retaining the essence of the famous character so that fans can see him becoming the butler that they know and love.

4 Andy Serkis – The Batman (2022)

The newest Alfred Pennyworth is portrayed by beloved character actor Andy Serkis in The Batman. To nobody’s surprise, Serkis turns in a well-done performance delivered. The actor gets it right across the board: he’s a loving father figure with an estranged relationship with Bruce, he’s an ex-military, and he helps Bruce with the detective work, proving to be one of The Batman‘s more intelligent characters.

All of the right elements are there for a great Alfred Pennyworth and ever time he’s onscreen, Serkis steals the show. However, Alfred is in only a few scenes and plays a small but important role in the movie. Perhaps if Serkis is given more to do across multiple films, he could rise in the ranks.

3 Sean Pertwee – Gotham (2014-2019)

It helps that Sean Pertwee was able to flesh out his Alfred Pennyworth across several seasons of Gotham. Pertwee’s Alfred is arguably the most fatherly version yet as he has to take care of this sad and angry child version of Bruce Wayne. The love that Bruce and Alfred share is palpable and feels genuine.

Similar to Serkis, it is shown that Pertwee’s Alfred is ex-military seeing how he helps teach Bruce how to fight and a character from Alfred’s past enters the story. Pertwee is also always there to help Bruce with developing gadgets, suits, and other means needed to turn him into a vigilante.

2 Michael Caine – The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)

When it comes to the smarmy remarks and comebacks, Michael Caine is the master of that side of Alfred, as he has several of The Dark Knight trilogy’s best quotes. This Alfred is also a very helpful companion to Batman, always assisting in the Batcave. The fatherly love is also what makes Alfred so likable in the first two movies of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.

Sadly, The Dark Knight Rises poorly handled Alfred by essentially making him a hypocrite. Despite all he had done for Bruce in the first two movies and even stating that he’d never give up on him, Alfred is less loyal. He leaves Bruce after revealing that he manipulated Bruce’s guilt to make him give up the cowl. This is very unlike Alfred in both the comics and this universe, dwindling Caine’s charming performance.

1 Jeremy Irons – DC Extended Universe (2016-2021)

Jeremy Irons nails every aspect of Alfred Pennyworth. He’s a wise mentor who is trying his hardest to lead Ben Affleck’s Batman down the right path, even calling out Batman when he’s lying to him. Irons’ Alfred is charming and funny, always obsessed with trying to set up Bruce on a date. He’s easily the most helpful Alfred who assists in building technology, the Batmobile, and even entire suits for Batman.

Irons and Affleck had proper comradery and chemistry. Their characters feel the most like equal partners in both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Alfred even pilots both the Batwing and the Knightcrawler remotely, helping Batman in the midst of battle. It’s only a shame that fans might never see this Alfred again.

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