Ralph Ineson’s Most Unforgettable On-Set Rival: A Goat Named Charlie

Ralph Ineson will forever be remembered by many as Finchy from The Office, a role that cemented his place in British television history. Yet, his career has flourished far beyond that iconic sitcom, with a string of notable performances in recent years. From lending his distinctive voice to adverts to appearing in major productions such as Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Robert Eggers’ latest take on Nosferatu, and even a turn in the Marvel universe, Ineson’s journey has been anything but dull.

After his memorable stint as Chris Finch in 2001, Ineson’s path took him through acclaimed series like Game of Thrones and the gripping Chernobyl, which briefly topped IMDb’s ratings. For a time, however, significant roles proved elusive. It wasn’t until he landed the part of Amycus in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in 2009 that things began to shift. He reprised that role in the final two films and made a brief appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy before collaborating with Robert Eggers on The Witch in 2015.

On Set with Black Phillip

The Witch, set in 17th-century New England, marked a turning point for both Eggers and Ineson. The film, which also featured a young Anya Taylor-Joy, quickly garnered critical acclaim and a host of awards. Ineson took on the role of the stern patriarch of a family beset by supernatural forces. However, his greatest challenge on set was not the script or the eerie atmosphere, but a goat named Charlie, cast as the infamous Black Phillip. Charlie, it turned out, outweighed Ineson by a considerable margin and proved to be a rather difficult colleague.

Reflecting on the experience, Ineson shared with The Hollywood Reporter,

“I didn’t have a lot of gas in the tank, really. He was horrible. Really, really horrible. From the moment we set eyes on each other it was just kind of hate at first sight. He had two modes: chilling out and doing nothing, or attacking me.”

Director Robert Eggers corroborated Ineson’s account, noting that Charlie was prone to unpredictable behaviour, often acting up when least expected. The situation escalated when the goat rammed Ineson, resulting in a dislodged tendon.

Charlie’s Scene-Stealing Performance

Despite the chaos, Charlie’s presence became one of the film’s most talked-about elements. Audiences were particularly struck by the unsettling moment when the goat reared up on its hind legs, a scene that left a lasting impression. Ineson, however, remained less than enamoured with his four-legged co-star. He remarked,

“It’s wonderful that his fantastic performance is bringing notoriety to the film,” he says, “but there’s a little part of me that’s like, ‘Seriously? That f—er?’”

While viewers may have admired Charlie’s contribution to the film’s atmosphere, for Ineson, the experience was far from enjoyable. The goat’s unpredictable temperament and sheer strength made each day on set a test of patience and endurance.

A Taste of Revenge

Ineson eventually found a way to see the funny side. He recounted a later visit to a well-known London restaurant, The Smoking Goat, with director Eggers.

“There’s an incredible restaurant in London called The Smoking Goat. When Robert (Eggers) was in town, we went there for my wife’s birthday and shared this incredible goat dish. We remembered Charlie. Not so fondly.”

Though the ordeal with Charlie was hardly what Ineson had anticipated when signing on for The Witch, it certainly provided a story that has endured almost as long as the film’s reputation itself.