Michael Jayston facts for kids

Michael Jayston (born Michael James on October 29, 1935 – died February 5, 2024) was an English actor. He was well-known for his many roles on TV, in movies, and on stage. He played Tsar Nicholas II in the movie Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). He also appeared in popular TV shows like Doctor Who and Only Fools and Horses.

Early Life and Education

Michael Jayston was born on October 29, 1935, in West Bridgford, Nottingham, England. His birth name was Michael A James. He was the only son of Aubrey Vincent James and Edna Myfanwy Medcalfe.

He went to the Becket RC School in West Bridgford. Before becoming an actor, he worked as an accountant. He then decided to study acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Later in his life, he lived in Hove, Sussex.

Career Highlights

Stage Performances

Michael Jayston started his acting career on stage in 1962. He performed at famous theaters like the Bristol Old Vic and in Stratford-upon-Avon.

In 1981, he played Captain Von Trapp in a new version of The Sound of Music. This musical was shown at the Apollo Victoria theater in London. He starred alongside Petula Clark, who played the role of Maria.

Television Roles

Jayston played many important roles on television. He often appeared in plays by William Shakespeare. For example, he played Macbeth in Macbeth (1970) and Edmund in King Lear (1975).

One of his early TV roles was as a civil servant named Dowling. This was in the final series of the drama The Power Game in 1969.

In 1972, he played Sir Henry Royce in a BBC drama called The Edwardians. The next year, he took on the role of Mr Rochester in the BBC show Jane Eyre.

He also appeared in the mystery series Thriller in 1974. In 1975, he played a spy named Quiller in a TV series called Quiller. This spy was unusual because he never used a gun. In 1979, he played Peter Guillam in the spy series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Jayston was also in many other popular TV shows. These included EastEnders, Coronation Street, The Darling Buds of May, Tales of the Unexpected, and The Bill. He also played Donald De Souza in Emmerdale. Later in his career, he appeared in Foyle's War, Holby City, Sherlock Holmes, Tracy Beaker Returns, and Midsomer Murders.

Doctor Who Role

In 1986, Michael Jayston played a very memorable character in the famous British science fiction show Doctor Who. He played the Valeyard in a long story called The Trial of a Time Lord. At the end of this story, it was revealed that the Valeyard was a dark version of the Doctor himself.

He later played the Valeyard again in several audio plays. These were released by Big Finish Productions and included He Jests at Scars..., Trial of the Valeyard, The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure, and The Eighth Doctor: The Time War 3.

Film Appearances

Michael Jayston also had a successful film career. In 1968, he played Demetrius in Peter Hall's movie A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1970, he played Henry Ireton in Cromwell.

A year later, in 1971, he starred as Tsar Nicholas II of Russia in the movie Nicholas and Alexandra. This was one of his most famous film roles. In 1974, he played Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice, acting alongside the legendary Laurence Olivier.

Audio Work

Jayston was also a talented voice actor and narrator. He recorded many audiobooks, especially the spy novels by John le Carré. This connected to his TV role as Peter Guillam in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He also narrated the BBC radio readings of Rogue Male and Rogue Justice.

In 1990, he voiced Ian Fleming's famous spy, James Bond, in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of You Only Live Twice.

In 2017, he narrated a story-based album called The Life & Times of an Imaginary Rock Star. This was a collaboration with the artist Ruben Vine. Michael Jayston also recorded many other audiobooks, including historical novels and Winston Churchill's history of the Second World War. He was also a popular voice for TV commercials in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s.

Select Filmography

Film

Television