London-born Peter Egan's first television role was in the BBC's 1968 Cold Comfort Farm, but in 1969, he erupted onto the British television scene in the controversial cult series, Big Breadwinner Hog. A regular on British television since then, Egan has starred in numerous series – including alongside Downton Abbey costar Penelope Wilton, in Ever Decreasing Circles – as well as films, including the 1981 Academy Award Winner for best picture, Chariots of Fire. His MASTERPIECE credits include a starring role in the 1998 film Peacock Spring and an appearance in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

Egan's London theater career hasn't slowed down; his work as theater director includes Uncle Vanya and A Midsummer's Night's Dream. Of his turn as "Shrimpie" in the Downton Abbey Season 3 finale, Egan wrote, "I enjoyed it tremendously. It has a fabulous cast, and to be working with people of that caliber was a privilege and a pleasure. It was also a return to period drama for me, which I haven't done for a while. Not quite back to breeches, though!"