Tom Payne

Tom Payne (born 21 December 1982 ) is an English actor. He is known for appearing on AMC's The Walking Dead as Paul "Jesus" Rovia, and BBC's Waterloo Road as Brett Aspinall. He portrayed Malcolm Bright on the American television series Prodigal Son from 2019 to 2021. Payne also currently has a recurring role in Law & Order: Organized Crime.

Early life Payne grew up in Bath, Somerset, where he attended King Edward's School and was a prolific contributor to the school's drama department. He attended the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in June 2005.

Career In January 2007, he first appeared in Waterloo Road for the BBC, playing sixth former Brett Aspinall. Despite being 24 at the time, Payne portrayed a 17-year-old character. He remained in the series until the end of the following season in March 2008. It was revealed afterwards that he would not be returning for the new season. Between season 1 and 2 he filmed Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and Skins and was named one of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2007.

After leaving Waterloo Road Payne played George Best in Best: His Mother's Son, a BBC Two film about the legendary footballer. In the same year he appeared in Marple: They Do It With Mirrors and Wuthering Heights for ITV.

On 8 March 2010, it was announced that Tom had joined the cast of Luck a new pilot for HBO directed by Michael Mann, written by David Milch, starring Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. He played the role of a Cajun jockey.

In 2012, he was cast in the title role of The Physician (based on the book of the same name) alongside Stellan Skarsgård and Ben Kingsley.

His career defining role came when he was cast with a recurring role in Season 6 of The Walking Dead, as Paul "Jesus" Rovia, and promoted to series regular for season 7. He played the character until midway through season 9.

In 2019, Payne was cast in the lead role as a serial killer's son in the Fox police procedural series Prodigal Son.

Personal life Payne began dating singer Jennifer Åkerman in late 2013. He announced on an episode of Walking Dead that they had become engaged. Åkerman later revealed on her Instagram that they married on 21 December 2020 after postponing their wedding due to COVID-19. They had a son, born on 5 January 2022 and twins on 1 April 2024.

His younger brother Will Payne is also an actor.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Phil Goldman 2009 Into the Rose-Garden Sam Short film 2011 The Task Stanton Generation Perdue Toby Perdue Short film 2012 The Inheritance Matthew My Funny Valentine Zander Still Young Edward Short film 2013 The Physician Rob Cole 2015 Winter Tom MindGamers Jaxon 2017 It's No Game East Short film 2019 IO Elon Voice role 2024 Imaginary Max Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 Hugh Proctor Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 2025 The Physician 2: The Return Rob Cole

Television Year Title Role Notes 2005 Casualty Toby Tyler Episode: "Love and Duty" 2007 Skins Spencer Episode: "Effy" Miss Marie Lloyd Bernard Television film 2007–2008 Waterloo Road Brett Aspinall Recurring role; 30 episodes 2008 He Kills Coppers Jonny Taylor Television film 2009 Wuthering Heights Linton 2 episodes Miss Marple Edgar Lawson Episode: "They Do It with Mirrors" Best: His Mother's Son George Best Television film Beautiful People Mr. Carr Episode: "How I Got My Plumes" 2010 The People vs. George Lucas Himself Documentary 2011–2012 Luck Leon Micheaux 9 episodes 2014 New Worlds Monmouth 4 episodes 2016–2019 The Walking Dead Paul "Jesus" Rovia Recurring (season 6) Main cast (seasons 7–9); 25 episodes 2016–2018 Talking Dead Himself 7 episodes 2017 The Nightly Show Episode: "With David Walliams - Night Four" 2018 Fear the Walking Dead Paul "Jesus" Rovia Guest Star, episode: "What's Your Story?" (season 4) 2019–2021 Prodigal Son Malcolm Bright Lead role (33 episodes) 2024 Law & Order: Organized Crime Julian Emery 5 episodes2026The Faithful: Women of the BibleJacob 3 episodes