Brightwell's first main role was as Uriah Heep in the TV Series David Copperfield[1] in 1986.
He went on to have parts in films and television shows, including Coronation Street.
In Titanic, Brightwell played Quartermaster Robert Hichens, the crew member who was at the ship's wheel at the time of RMS Titanic's impact with the iceberg which sank it.
His longest recurring role is as DS Hall in the TV series, The Commander, which he has played throughout the 2000s.
He also played the role of Malchus in the 2013 mini series The Bible, and Mr. Hickfang in the 2014 film The Voices.