Calder was born in Plymouth, England. His most high profile roles include Det. Insp. George Resnick in the crime series Widows and Nathan Spring in the science-fiction drama Star Cops.
Other TV credits include: The Professionals, Enemy at the Door, Minder, Bergerac, The New Statesman, Between The Lines, Bramwell, Cracker, Dalziel and Pascoe, Enemy at the Door, Heartbeat, Sleepers (TV series), Spooks, Midsomer Murders, Hustle, Waking the Dead, Wallis and Edward and Burn Up.
He also appeared briefly in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough as Sir Robert King.