Jason Merrells
Born
Jason Scott Merrells

(1968-11-02) 2 November 1968
Epping, Essex, England
Occupation(s)Actor, director, writer, painter
Years active1994–present
Spouses
Judith Hurley
​
​
(m. 1991; div. 1999)​
    Zerlina Hughes
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2002; div. 2010)​
    PartnerEmma Lowndes (2012–present)
    Children5
    RelativesSimon Merrells (brother)

    Jason Scott Merrells (born 2 November 1968) is an English actor, who is best known for his roles in Casualty, Queer as Folk, Cutting It, Waterloo Road and Emmerdale.

    Early life and education

    Jason Scott Merrells was born 2 November 1968. He has an elder brother Simon Merrells (born 1965) who is also an actor. Merrells studied at the Buckhurst Hill County High School from 1980 to 1986 and later at the Chichester University, where he studied fine art.[1]

    Career

    Merrells got his first role in 1994 with an appearance in the film To Die For, in which he played a small part. However, he soon established himself as a successful television actor with his role as receptionist Matt Hawley in the medical drama Casualty. In 1999 he portrayed Phil Delaney in the television series Queer as Folk. He continued to appear in more prominent roles for years to come including in films such as Do Not Disturb (1999). His television appearances also became more frequent, and he had a recurring appearance as Martin Leach in Clocking Off between 2000 and 2001. However it was his portrayal of stylist Gavin Ferraday in the BBC One television drama series Cutting It that brought him wide notice. This followed with appearances in television shows such as The Afternoon Play, Where the Heart Is and Murder City, and a starring role in the 2005 film The Jealous God.

    Merrells announced that he had been cast in the role of headteacher Jack Rimmer in the BBC One school-based drama Waterloo Road, making Merrells one of the original stars of the show appearing in the very first episode. In 2009, Merrells appeared throughout series two of Lark Rise to Candleford as James Dowland.

    From 2010 to 2014, Merrells achieved popularity through his role as shrewd businessman Declan Macey in the long-running ITV soap opera Emmerdale. In September 2014, it was announced that Merrells had decided to quit his role after four years on the soap. Declan left the following month, going into hiding after killing his half-nephew Robbie Lawson (Jamie Shelton) and attempting to murder his most recent wife, Charity Macey (Emma Atkins), whom he married earlier in the year. In 2015, Merrells appeared as Stuart Howe in the BBC TV series Death in Paradise episode 4.7. From 2016 onwards, Merrells has portrayed Sir Charles Fraith in Agatha Raisin.[2]

    In January 2023, Merrells appeared as DC Stead in the third series of BBC drama Happy Valley for three episodes.[3]

    Theatre

    From August to October 2007, Merrells performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. He played the role of Orsino in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will alongside his brother Simon Merrells who played Antonio. The Merrells brothers then went on to tour in A Comedy of Errors with the Royal Shakespeare Company from October to December 2007.[4] From March to April 2009 he appeared in the Theatre Royal Plymouth and Thelma Hunt production of Measure for Measure as Angelo alongside Alistair McGowan as the Duke.[5] The production transferred to the Almeida Theatre in February 2010. From May to June 2015, he starred as Juror number 8 in Bill Kenwright's touring production of Twelve Angry Men, alongside Andrew Lancel, Gareth David-Lloyd, Denis Lill and Drop the Dead Donkey's Robert Duncan.

    In March 2023, Merrells is to star as Frank Galvin in a theatrical adaptation of Barry Reed's 1980 novel The Verdict.[6]

    Personal life

    Jason lives part-time in London and spends the rest of his time in the North East of England. He has five children from three relationships.[7]

    Filmography

    Film and television
    Year Title Role Notes
    1994 To Die For Nigel Film
    1994–1997 Casualty Matt Hawley Series regular; 70 episodes
    1997 Thief Takers Steve Lunt 1 episode
    The Bill Richard McAuliffe 1 episode
    1998 Verdict Ben Clayton 1 episode
    1999 Queer as Folk Phil Delaney Supporting role; 3 episodes
    Do Not Disturb Chris Mulder Film
    2000 Small Time Obsession Chris
    Calling The Wild Matt TV short
    2000–2001 Clocking Off Martin Leach Main role; 12 episodes
    2000–2002 Fat Friends Carl Whittaker/Carl Watkinson Supporting role; 3 episodes
    2002 A Touch of Frost Mike Patterson 2 episodes
    The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Steve Shepherd 1 episode
    The Project Dougie Television film
    2002–2005 Cutting It Gavin Ferraday Series regular; 25 episodes
    2003 Sweet Medicine Dr. Nicholas Sweet Main role; 9 episodes
    2005 The Afternoon Play John Priestley Episode: "The Hitch"
    The Jealous God Vincent Dungarven Film
    Where The Heart Is Ryan Saunders 1 episode
    2006 Murder City Mark Drummond 1 episode
    2006–2008 Waterloo Road Jack Rimmer Series regular; 27 episodes
    2009 Lark Rise to Candleford James Dowland Main role; 11 episodes
    2010 Marple Dr. Kerrigan 1 episode
    2010–2014 Emmerdale Declan Macey Series regular; 657 episodes
    2015 Death in Paradise Stuart Howe 1 episode
    Safe House David Blackwell 4 episodes
    Elsewhere Travelling Salesman Short
    2016 Bumps Richard
    2016–2022 Agatha Raisin Sir Charles Fraith Main role; 15 episodes
    2018 Midsomer Murders Paul Taylor 1 episode
    Legends of Tomorrow Various
    2019 Jesus: His Life Pilate 5 episodes
    Trick or Treat Bizzie Film
    2020 Endeavour Martin Gorman 1 episode
    2021 Finding Alice Harry Walsh Supporting role
    2023 Happy Valley DC Stead Series 3; 3 episodes[8]

    Awards and nominations

    Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
    2003 9th National Television Awards Most Popular Actor Cutting It Nominated [9]
    2012 The British Soap Awards Villain of the Year Emmerdale Nominated [10]
    2014 19th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [11]
    2014 The British Soap Awards Best Actor Nominated [12]
    2014 Inside Soap Awards Best Actor Nominated [13]
    2015 20th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [14]

    References

    1. ↑ "Chichester, University of". Independent.co.uk. 25 July 2014.
    2. ↑ "Agatha Raisin's Mathew Horne gives season 4 update". Digitalspy.com. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
    3. ↑ Cormack, Morgan (30 January 2023). "Meet the cast of Happy Valley season 3". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
    4. ↑ A Comedy of Errors Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
    5. ↑ Measure for Measure Archived 28 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
    6. ↑ "The Verdict". The New Wolsey Theatre. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
    7. ↑ Palmer, Alun (5 May 2014). "Emmerdale's Declan Macey is getting married but twice divorced actor Jason Merrells is taking it slow". Daily Mirror.
    8. ↑ "Jason Merrells Filmography". Retrieved 6 February 2023.
    9. ↑ "National Television Awards". thecustard.tv. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
    10. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (27 February 2012). "British Soap Awards 2012 voting opens, nominations revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
    11. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 September 2013). "Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks stars up for NTAs - full list". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
    12. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 March 2014). "British Soap Awards 2014 voting opens, longlist announced". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
    13. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (29 July 2014). "Inside Soap Awards 2014 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
    14. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (14 October 2014). "National Television Awards 2015 - Which soap stars made the long list?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
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