Jason Watkins

Jason Peter Watkins (born 28 October 1962) is an English actor. He played the lead role in the two-part drama The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, for which he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor. He has also played William Herrick in Being Human, Gavin Strong in Trollied, Simon Harwood in W1A, Gordon Shakespeare in the film series Nativity, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson in Season 3 of The Crown and Detective Sergeant Dodds in McDonald & Dodds.

Early life and education Jason Watkins was born on 28 October 1962, in Albrighton, Shropshire, His father, Alan, was a metallurgist at Marston in Wolverhampton, and his mother a teacher at Albrighton's primary school. Being dyslexic, Watkins enjoyed drama, as a subject least affected by this issue. He furthered his acting skills as a student of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, graduating in 1985 with an Acting (RADA Diploma).

Career Stage Following his graduation from RADA, Watkins established himself as a stage actor, joining the National Theatre company.

He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 (2000 season) for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in A Servant For Two Masters His other theatre work includes Rafts and Dreams

In 2018, he played the predatory serial killer Ralph in a revival of Bryony Lavery's play Frozen at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Television Watkins made his first appearance on television in 1987 on EastEnders as estate agent Gerry Fairweather, a role he played for 11 episodes. Also in 2013 he played an anaesthetist in The Wrong Mans. In 2014, he appeared as Simon Harwood in the BBC comedy series W1A.

In 2016, Watkins played the role of Pastor Hansford in the four-part ITV drama The Secret. Watkins appeared in two episodes of The Hollow Crown and played the role of Malcolm Turner in the BBC sitcom series Love, Nina. He narrated the Channel 4 documentary series The Job Interview, appeared as Tony Michaels in an episode of Friday Night Dinner and was cast as Mr Humphries in the BBC revival of Are You Being Served?.

In 2017, Watkins played Solomon Coop, private secretary to the Prince Regent (later George IV), in the BBC One series Taboo. In 2018 he played Roger in the BBC sitcom Hold the Sunset and Emlyn Hooson in the Russell T Davies miniseries A Very English Scandal, and he provided the voice of Captain Orchis in the BBC adaptation of Watership Down. Between 2020 and 2024 he appeared in a leading role as DS Dodds in the Bath-set ITV crime drama series McDonald & Dodds alongside Tala Gouveia as mismatched detectives over four series. alongside Aneurin Barnard and Poppy Gilbert. The same year, it was confirmed that Watkins would be a contestant on the third series of the ITV show Cooking with the Stars, alongside other celebrities including Joanna Page, Matt Willis and Peter Andre.

Watkins voices Alfred Pennyworth in the Prime Video animated series Batman: Caped Crusader.

Film Watkins's film roles include character parts in Confetti, He is a patron of Child Bereavement UK, a charity that supports children, young people, and families when a child grieves or when a child dies. They have two other children.

Television

Awards and nominations Year Ceremony Award Nominated work Result 2001 Olivier Awards Best Supporting Actor A Servant To Two Masters 2002 Helen Hayes Awards Outstanding Lead Actor 2015 British Academy Television Awards BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actor The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies BAFTA Award for Best Mini-Series 2016 Royal Television Society Awards Best Drama Serial 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Crown