Prime Suspect star John Benfield dies aged 68 after battling rare cancer

Actor John Benfield, who played Helen Mirren's boss in the British TV series Prime Suspect, has died aged 68.

Benfield died on June 16, from a rare cancer, at Sobell House Hospice in Oxford, according to the Oxford Mail.

Born on Wanstead, Essex, on November 9, 1951, Benfield featured in more than 70 films and TV series, featuring in movies directed by Woody Allen, Gillian Armstrong and Sam Mendes. He also appeared as Cruncher Block in Speed Racer, Dunston in Endgame and PO Barker In the Name of the Father.

Benfield, whose real name was John Turner, portrayed DCS Michael Kernan, opposite Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect.

The series, which ran between between 1991 and 2006, focused on female Detective Chief Inspector, Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) who has to prove herself in a male-dominated profession, with the support of her boss (Benfield).

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Benfield's agents, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin said he always brought a "truth and integrity to his roles and was an imposing, strong and rugged figure, with a soul and belief in his craft."

He's survived by his wife of 31 years, Lilian, and son, Freddie.