Jason Merrells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jason Merrells
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| Born |
Jason Scott Merrells
Epping, Essex, England
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | Simon Merrells |
Jason Scott Merrells is an English actor. He is well-known for his roles in popular TV shows. These include Casualty, Queer as Folk, Cutting It, Waterloo Road, and Emmerdale.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jason Merrells was born in Epping, Essex, England. His brother, Simon Merrells, is also an actor. Jason studied at Chichester University.
Acting Career
Jason Merrells began his acting career in 1994. His first role was a small part in the film To Die For. Soon after, he became a successful television actor.
Early TV Roles
He gained recognition as Matt Hawley, a receptionist in the medical drama Casualty. In 1999, he played Phil Delaney in the TV series Queer as Folk. He also appeared in films like Do Not Disturb (1999).
From 2000 to 2001, he had a regular role as Martin Leach in Clocking Off. However, his role as stylist Gavin Ferraday in the BBC One drama Cutting It made him widely known. After this, he appeared in shows such as The Afternoon Play, Where the Heart Is, and Murder City. He also starred in the 2005 film The Jealous God.
Becoming a TV Star
Merrells joined the BBC One school drama Waterloo Road as headteacher Jack Rimmer. He was one of the original actors on the show, appearing in its very first episode. In 2009, he was in the second series of Lark Rise to Candleford as James Dowland.
From 2010 to 2014, Jason Merrells became very popular for playing Declan Macey in the long-running ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Declan Macey was a clever businessman. Merrells decided to leave the show in 2014 after four years. His character, Declan, left the show after some dramatic events.
In 2015, Merrells appeared as Stuart Howe in the BBC TV series Death in Paradise. Since 2016, he has played Sir Charles Fraith in Agatha Raisin. In January 2023, he appeared as DC Stead in three episodes of the BBC drama Happy Valley. It was announced in 2024 that he would return as Jack Rimmer in the fifteenth series of Waterloo Road.
Theatre Performances
Jason Merrells has also performed on stage. From August to October 2007, he acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He played Orsino in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will. His brother, Simon Merrells, also performed in this play. The brothers then toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company in A Comedy of Errors.
In 2009, he appeared in Measure for Measure as Angelo. This play later moved to the Almeida Theatre in 2010. From May to June 2015, he starred as Juror number 8 in a touring play called Twelve Angry Men. In January 2023, Merrells played Frank Galvin in a play based on the novel The Verdict. He reprised his role as Juror 8 in a stage version of Twelve Angry Men in January 2024.
Personal Life
Jason Merrells divides his time between London and the North East of England. He has five children.
Film and Television Roles
Jason Merrells has appeared in many films and television shows.
Film Roles
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | To Die For | Nigel | |
| 1999 | Do Not Disturb | Mulder | |
| 2000 | Small Time Obsession | Chris | |
| Calling The Wild | Matt | Television film | |
| 2005 | The Jealous God | Vincent | |
| 2015 | Elsewhere | Traveling Salesman | Short film |
| 2016 | Bumps | Richard | Short film |
| 2019 | Trick or Treat | Bizzie |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–1997 | Casualty | Matt Hawley | Regular role; 70 episodes |
| 1997 | Thief Takers | Steve Lunt | Episode: "Road Rage" |
| The Bill | Richard McAuliffe | Episode: "Out" | |
| 1998 | Verdict | Ben Clayton | Episode: "The Doctor's Opinion" |
| 1999 | Queer as Folk | Phil Delaney | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
| 2000–2001 | Clocking Off | Martin Leach | Regular role; 12 episodes |
| 2000–2002 | Fat Friends | Carl Whittaker (later Watkinson) | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
| 2002 | A Touch of Frost | Mike Patterson | Episode: "Mistaken Identity" |
| The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | Steve Shepherd | Episode: "Missing Joseph" | |
| The Project | Dougie | Miniseries; 2 episodes | |
| 2002–2005 | Cutting It | Gavin Ferraday | Regular role; 25 episodes |
| 2003 | Sweet Medicine | Dr. Nick Sweet | Regular role; 10 episodes |
| 2005 | The Afternoon Play | John Priestley | Episode: "The Hitch" |
| Where the Heart Is | Ryan Saunders | Episode: "In a Perfect World" | |
| 2006 | Murder City | Mark Drummond | Episode: "Wives and Lovers" |
| 2006–2008, 2025–present | Waterloo Road | Jack Rimmer | Main role |
| 2009 | Lark Rise to Candleford | James Dowland | Regular role; 11 episodes |
| 2010 | Agatha Christie's Marple | Dr. Kerrigan | Episode: "The Pale Horse" |
| 2010–2014 | Emmerdale | Declan Macey | Regular role; 622 episodes |
| 2015 | Death in Paradise | Stuart Howe | Episode: "She Was Murdered Twice" |
| Safe House | David Blackwell | Recurring role; 4 episodes | |
| 2016–2022 | Agatha Raisin | Sir Charles Fraith | Recurring role; 15 episodes |
| 2018 | Midsomer Murders | Paul Taylor | Episode: "The Ghost of Causton Abbey" |
| 2019 | Jesus: His Life | Pilate | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2020 | Endeavour | Martin Gorman | Episode: "Raga" |
| 2021 | Finding Alice | Harry | Regular role; 6 episodes |
| 2023 | Happy Valley | DC Stead | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
Awards and Nominations
Jason Merrells has been nominated for several awards for his acting.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 9th National Television Awards | Most Popular Actor | Cutting It | Nominated | |
| 2012 | The British Soap Awards | Villain of the Year | Emmerdale | Nominated | |
| 2014 | 19th National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | The British Soap Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | 20th National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Jason Merrells para niños
