Ackland had a long career on stage and in front of the camera in the UK, but is mainly known to the Swedish audience for his roles as a South African rogue diplomat in “Lethal Weapon 2” and a Soviet ambassador in “The Hunt for Red October”.
On stage he played Juan Perón in the first production of the musical “Evita” in London’s West End and on television he appeared in an episode of “Murder in Midsomer”.
In 2000, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services as an actor.