Harold Skimpole A friend of John Jarndyce. He claims he understands nothing of money, but it is a smooth act which enables him to get others to pay his way through life. Nathaniel Parker is best known for playing the title role in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. His television career began in 1990 when he starred in Never Come Back. Nathaniel went on to appear in films Hamlet, The Bodyguard (with Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston) and Wide Sargasso Sea. Memorable television appearances include Piece of Cake, Far from the Madding Crowd and Vanity Fair. Parker is also an accomplished theatre actor. After graduating from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (where he was the star pupil of his year), Nathaniel joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986.