From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Simon Langton (born 5 November 1941 in Amersham, Buckinghamshire) is a television director and producer. He is the son of David Langton, the actor who played Richard Bellamy in Upstairs, Downstairs. After he had directed a number of TV drama series and serials during the 1970s, his 1982 dramatisation of the John le Carré novel Smiley's People was nominated for both a BAFTA award in the UK, and an Emmy Award in the USA. He later won a BAFTA award for the 1 ...