Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Jeremy Sheffield.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Jeremy Sheffield
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 |
Jeremy Sheffield (born 17 March 1966) is an English actor and former ballet dancer. He is most noted for his roles in Holby City, Murder in Suburbia and Hollyoaks on television, as well as in the films Creep and The Wedding Date.
Key Information
Life and career
[edit]Sheffield was born in Chelmsford, Essex. The second son of Brenda (née Dare) and Barry Sheffield, he trained as a ballet dancer at the Royal Ballet School, graduating into the Royal Ballet, as well as dancing with Northern Ballet Theatre. Roles with the Royal Ballet included Aria in The Spirit of Fugue, Paris in Romeo and Juliet, Benno in Swan Lake, He in My Brother, My Sisters, Wilfred in Giselle, Rakitin in A Month in the Country and Mouse King in The Nutcracker.[1]
He appeared as a dancer in Queen's music video for "I Want to Break Free" in 1984, performing in a pastiche of the ballet L'après-midi d'un faune. However, his ballet career ended at the age of 27 due to a broken toe and torn ligament.
In 1997, he appeared in the music video of "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia.[2]
Sheffield's breakthrough came when he starred in the BBC medical drama series Holby City, as heart surgeon Alex Adams from 2000 to 2003. He also played Lancelot in the 1998 television drama Merlin. He had a supporting role in the 2005 film The Wedding Date alongside Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney. Subsequently, he made a cameo appearance in the final episode of Green Wing.
In 2005, he appeared in the British and Irish Renault Clio advert "France vs. Britain," directed by Ridley Scott's daughter Jordan Scott, who also directed the 2007 follow-up spot, "More Va Va Voom," again starring Sheffield as Ben, and French actress Annelise Hesme as Sophie. He regularly featured on the BBC's Holiday programme, in which he visited Mexico, Egypt, Sichuan, South Africa and Bermuda. In 2006, Sheffield travelled to South Africa, where eight celebrities competed to become rangers in a South African reserve, for the 2007 series of BBC2's Safari School.
In 2007, Sheffield made an appearance in New Tricks.
In January 2010, he took part in ITV's Dancing on Ice alongside professional skater Susie Lipanova. He was the third person to be voted off (therefore finishing the contest in 12th place) after losing in the skate-off.[3]
In October 2011, it was announced that Sheffield would be joining Coronation Street and would portray Danny Stratton. Sheffield's Coronation Street stay was only short, as he was part of a storyline that saw Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) depart.[4]
In October 2012, it was announced that he would be joining the cast of Hollyoaks to portray Patrick Blake, the biological father of twins Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) and Dodger Savage (Danny Mac).[5] Sheffield left the cast in 2015, with Patrick's exit scenes airing in January 2016. He resumed the role for an episode in 2024.[6]
He rejoined the cast of Hollyoaks in 2024, portraying Jeremy Blake, the twin brother of Patrick Blake.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Sheffield is gay, but rarely gives interviews on the subject, as he feels it is irrelevant to his career, stating: "I don't feel anybody should have to wear their sexuality on their sleeve, but 99% of the time people make a projection onto me that I'm straight, and I feel that if I just allow them to run with that projection, then it's sort of as if I'm lying. It's a strange position to be in, because I shouldn't have to say anything, but I often do feel like I have to get it into the conversation. It's a shame, but that's how it is."[8]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Safe Haven | Sean | |
| 1997 | Anna Karenina | Boris | |
| 2003 | The Confidence Trick | Walter | |
| 2004 | Creep | Guy | |
| 2005 | The Wedding Date | Jeffrey | |
| 2008 | Miss Conception | James | |
| The Children | Robbie | ||
| Last Chance Harvey | Matt | ||
| 2010 | StreetDance 3D | Michael | |
| The Long Lonely Walk | JD | Short film | |
| The Power of Three | Film Star |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Dark Season | Guard | 1 episode |
| 1995 | The Governor | Dr. Anthony Thomas | 6 episodes |
| 1998 | Merlin | Lancelot | Television film |
| Her Own Rules | Lucas Kent | Television film | |
| 2000–2003 | Holby City | Alex Adams | Main role |
| 2002 | Linda Green | Stan Peterson | Episode: "Blind Date" |
| 2003 | The Afternoon Play | Tom Rourke | Episode: "Coming Up for Air" |
| Grease Monkeys | Mark Miller | Episode: "Last Man Standing" | |
| Hearts of Gold | Dr. Andrew John | Television film | |
| 2004–2005 | Murder in Suburbia | DCI Sullivan | Main role |
| 2006 | Bombshell | Major Nicholas Welling | Main role |
| Blue Murder | Paul Cochran | Episode: "In Deep" | |
| Green Wing | Jeremy | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | New Tricks | Chris Parr | Episode: "Fathers's Pride" |
| 2008 | Hotel Babylon | Adam Price | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Personal Affairs | Dr. Richard Palmer | |
| 2011–2012 | Coronation Street | Danny Stratton | Recurring role |
| 2012–2016, 2024 | Hollyoaks | Patrick Blake | Regular role |
| 2024–2025 | Jeremy Blake | Regular role |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | "I Want to Break Free" | Dancer | Queen |
| 1997 | "Torn" | Boyfriend | Natalie Imbruglia |
References
[edit]- ^ Royal Opera House performance database search Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ "Natalie Imbruglia: Torn (mv)". mubi.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Jeremy Sheffield voted off Dancing on Ice". BBC News. 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ^ Sperling, Daniel (25 January 2012). "Corrie's Sheffield proud of Becky exit". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 October 2012). "'Hollyoaks' casts Dodger's real father". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
- ^ Lindsay, Duncan (1 December 2023). "Evil Patrick Blake for Hollyoaks return as Jeremy Sheffield reprises role for big storyline". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Hollyoaks bringing back Patrick Blake actor in new role". DigitalSpy. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Lester, Charley. "Should We Still Use Sexuality as a Social Descriptor?". Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
Jeremy Sheffield
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Birth and upbringing
Jeremy Sheffield was born on 17 March 1966 in Chelmsford, Essex, England.[14] He is the second son of Barry Sheffield, who had a background in business and seafaring, and Brenda Sheffield (née Dare), a teacher; he has an older brother who became a pilot.[15][16] Raised in the rural village of Coggeshall, near Colchester, in a middle-class family, Sheffield experienced a conventional and supportive childhood influenced by his parents' artistic and open-minded outlook.[15][17] His early fascination with performance emerged at age five, when he started ballet classes after being inspired by a childhood girlfriend, though he briefly lost interest before his mother encouraged him to persist.[15][17] This childhood spark in dance prompted him to audition successfully for the Royal Ballet School at age nine.[17]Education and early training
Sheffield began his ballet training at the age of five through local classes in Kelvedon, Essex, fostering an early passion for dance.[14] At ten years old, he secured a place at the Royal Ballet School in London, where he boarded and immersed himself in a rigorous eight-year program of classical ballet instruction.[15] The school's curriculum integrated intensive daily ballet classes—emphasizing technique, strength, and musicality—with a comprehensive academic education, including subjects aligned with standard secondary schooling to support holistic development.[18] This foundational training equipped Sheffield with advanced skills in classical ballet, such as precise alignment, elevation, and partnering, through progressive study and participation in student matinees that showcased emerging repertoire.Ballet career
Professional debut and roles
Sheffield made his professional debut with the Royal Ballet in 1983, joining the company as a member of the corps de ballet upon graduating from the Royal Ballet School. He advanced to the rank of coryphée in 1987, performing a range of supporting and soloist roles in both classical and neoclassical works over the next several years.[19] Among his notable interpretations were Aria in Kenneth MacMillan's The Spirit of Fugue (1982), Paris in MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet (1965), and Benno in *Swan Lake* (1895. He also danced the role of Wilfred in Giselle (1841) and the character 'He' in My Brother, My Sisters (1980). These performances showcased his versatility in romantic and dramatic narratives central to the Royal Ballet's repertoire.[20] In addition to these, Sheffield appeared in several significant productions, including Balanchine's Ballet Imperial (1941), Frederick Ashton's L'Invitation au Voyage (1980), and Michel Fokine's The Firebird (1910) during a March 25, 1985, triple bill at the Royal Opera House. Other key roles encompassed the Creature in Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus (1987), the Winter Cavalier in Ashton's Cinderella (1948), Demetrius and Lysander in Ashton's The Dream (1964), the Indian Prince in The Sleeping Beauty (1890), and Solor's friend in La Bayadère (1877).[21][19] Throughout his dancing years, these roles highlighted his technical precision and expressive range, aiding the company's presentations of foundational classical ballets and innovative contemporary pieces.[22]Injury and retirement
Sheffield's ballet career was abruptly halted at the age of 27 due to a severe injury consisting of a broken toe and torn ligament, which significantly impaired his physical capabilities for professional dance.[23] This injury, compounded by previous fractures including breaking his ankle four times during his tenure with ballet companies, rendered continued performance untenable.[14] He retired from ballet in the early 1990s, marking the end of a promising tenure with the Royal Ballet.[24] Prior to full retirement, Sheffield had already ventured into music videos, appearing as a dancer in Queen's 1984 promotional video for "I Want to Break Free."[23] Following his departure from dance, he continued this sideline in 1997 by taking a prominent non-dancing role in Natalie Imbruglia's video for "Torn," which provided early exposure beyond the ballet world.[24] In the wake of his retirement, Sheffield began exploring acting as a potential career pivot, leveraging his performative background to transition into new creative pursuits.[24]Acting career
Theatre work
Following his retirement from ballet due to injury, Sheffield transitioned to acting by taking on stage roles that allowed him to leverage his physical grace and expressive training from dance.[25] His early theatre credit came in 1996 with Tim Luscombe's play The One You Love at the Royal Court Theatre in London, where he appeared in a production noted for its exploration of personal relationships.[21] That same year, Sheffield joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) as Patroclus in a production of Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida, directed by Ian Judge, which premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon before transferring to the Barbican Theatre in London.[21][26] In this overtly homoerotic interpretation of the Trojan War narrative, Sheffield's portrayal of the taciturn and devoted Patroclus, lover to Achilles (played by Philip Quast), contributed to the production's emphasis on intense male bonds and emotional vulnerability, earning mention in reviews for its subtle physicality and a memorable onstage kiss silencing the character Thersites.[27] These stage appearances marked a pivotal bridge from Sheffield's ballet background—where physical storytelling was central—to dramatic acting, honing his ability to convey complex emotions through movement and presence, which later informed his screen work.[24] The RSC role, in particular, received positive critical attention for its bold staging, helping establish Sheffield's versatility in classical theatre amid his career shift.[27]Television roles
Sheffield appeared uncredited as a guard in the 1991 children's sci-fi series Dark Season, marking his first television appearance, before making his credited debut in 1995 as Doctor Thomas in the BBC prison drama The Governor, portraying a medical professional navigating the challenges of a riot-torn facility. Three years later, he gained early recognition for his role as the noble knight Lancelot in the NBC/ Hallmark miniseries Merlin, appearing in the second part where he supports the young King Arthur amid magical threats.[28] In 2000, Sheffield joined the BBC medical drama Holby City as cardiothoracic registrar Alex Adams, a maverick surgeon often compared to a British George Clooney for his heroic backstory in Rwanda and confident demeanor.[6] His three-year stint (2000–2003), including a brief return in 2003, featured Adams' romantic entanglements and personal revelations, such as discovering a daughter, which contributed to the character's popularity among viewers and cemented Sheffield's presence in ongoing series.[15] During this period, he also appeared in guest roles, including as Stan in the BBC comedy-drama Linda Green (2001–2002), a love interest in the titular character's chaotic life, and as a sleazy, racist bare-knuckle fighter in the BBC Three surreal sitcom Grease Monkeys (2003).[29] Shifting to crime drama, Sheffield portrayed Detective Chief Inspector Sullivan in ITV's Murder in Suburbia (2004–2005), serving as the stern supervisor to the investigative duo of DI Kate Ashurst and DS Emma Scribbins in the suburban town of Middleford, overseeing cases that blended domestic intrigue with procedural elements. This role marked a progression from medical supporting characters to authoritative figures in ensemble casts, highlighting his versatility in law enforcement narratives. Sheffield's soap opera phase began with a short arc as hotel manager Danny Stratton in ITV's Coronation Street (2011–2012), where he developed a risky romantic subplot with the troubled Becky McDonald over 10 episodes, portraying a charming but cautious suitor amid her personal turmoil.[30] He then took on a more substantial lead as Patrick Blake in Channel 4's Hollyoaks (2012–2016), the tyrannical headmaster and biological father to twins Sienna and Dodger Savage, whose arc involved domestic abuse storylines and a dramatic death by murder from his granddaughter Nico.[31] Sheffield briefly reprised Patrick in February 2024 for a guest appearance tied to family revelations.[32] In a bold evolution, Sheffield returned to Hollyoaks in June 2024 as Jeremy "Jez" Blake, the previously unseen twin brother of Patrick, introducing a darker antagonist in a serial killer storyline that escalated through 2025 with multiple murders in Chester, including targets linked to the McQueen family such as Robbie Roscoe; Jez was killed off on 22 October 2025.[33][34] This dual role exploited the twins' identical appearance for plot twists, with Jez portrayed as more ruthless than Patrick, driving high-stakes conflicts and receiving mixed viewer feedback for its intensity amid the soap's production changes.[11] Overall, Sheffield's television career demonstrates a shift from ensemble supporting roles in dramas like Holby City to complex leads in soaps, where his characters often embody charismatic yet flawed authority figures.[9]Film roles
Sheffield made his film debut in the 1999 psychological thriller Safe Haven, portraying Sean, the increasingly obsessive and violent boyfriend of one of the sisters at the center of the story.[35] A significant step in his cinematic career came with the 2004 horror film Creep, where he played the supporting role of Guy, a coked-up colleague who assaults the protagonist before becoming an early victim of the titular killer.[36] The film marked a breakthrough for Sheffield, showcasing his ability to handle tense, character-driven scenes in a genre piece that blended suspense with urban grit.[37] In 2005, Sheffield appeared in the romantic comedy The Wedding Date, taking on the role of Jeffrey, the smug ex-fiancé and best man who serves as a catalyst for the lead character's romantic schemes.[38] His performance added a layer of antagonism to the film's lighthearted exploration of love and pretense, complementing the ensemble dynamics alongside stars like Debra Messing and Dermot Mulroney.[39] Sheffield's later film work in 2008 included multiple projects that highlighted his versatility across genres. In the comedy Miss Conception, he portrayed James, a charming doctor entangled in the protagonist's fertility mishaps.[40] That same year, he played Matt, a colleague offering wry support, in the well-received romantic drama Last Chance Harvey, which earned praise for its nuanced portrayal of late-life romance and featured strong ensemble turns including Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.[41] In the holiday horror film The Children, Sheffield depicted Robbie, a father whose family vacation turns nightmarish amid a mysterious outbreak affecting kids; the movie garnered positive critical notice for its atmospheric tension and emotional depth.[42] Continuing into the 2010s, Sheffield appeared as Michael, a supportive figure in the dance-infused ensemble of StreetDance 3D, a high-energy musical that celebrated urban choreography and youth culture. He capped this period with a brief cameo as a movie star in the 2011 comedy The Power of Three, a feel-good tale of female friendship and reinvention. These film roles, often in supporting capacities, allowed Sheffield to expand beyond his prominent television presence, integrating self-contained narratives that emphasized interpersonal drama and genre elements. While none resulted in major awards nominations, films like Last Chance Harvey (71% on Rotten Tomatoes) and The Children (76% on Rotten Tomatoes) received favorable reviews for their acting and thematic resonance, underscoring Sheffield's reliable contributions to ensemble casts.[43]Personal life
Sexual orientation
Jeremy Sheffield is openly gay and publicly acknowledged his sexual orientation in the early 2000s following his transition from ballet to acting. He came out at age 25, shortly after leaving the Royal Ballet, describing the process as challenging due to his conservative upbringing but ultimately liberating, as it allowed him to avoid "messy situations" from hiding his identity.[17] Upon joining the BBC medical drama Holby City in 2000 as Dr. Alex Adams—a straight character involved in heterosexual romances—Sheffield became the first openly gay actor to portray a leading straight male role in a British television series. This milestone highlighted shifting attitudes in the industry, though Sheffield noted in interviews that he rarely discussed his sexuality publicly, viewing it as irrelevant to his craft.[17][44] In a 2003 interview with Attitude magazine, Sheffield addressed industry homophobia, asserting that gay actors like himself could convincingly play straight leads, thereby debunking fears that openness would limit opportunities: "Gay actors playing convincing straight leads? Absolutely. And I think that makes a mockery of all the phobias people have about being openly gay in this business." He emphasized visibility's role in representation, particularly in mainstream dramas, while preferring outlets like Attitude for such discussions over general media.[45]Private life
Sheffield has consistently maintained a low public profile regarding his personal affairs, preferring not to delve into intimate details during interviews. In a 2005 profile with Attitude magazine, he briefly acknowledged a short-lived romantic involvement but declined to provide further specifics, underscoring his guarded approach to such topics.[44] He resides in London, where he has lived for much of his adult life. Earlier reports from the early 2000s also confirm this base, with no indications of relocation in subsequent coverage. Physically, Sheffield measures 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) in height.[1] Details on his relationships, marital status, or family beyond his formative years remain scarce, reflecting his deliberate choice for privacy; as of 2025, no public records or interviews disclose long-term partnerships or children.[44]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Safe Haven | Sean | Debbie Shuter |
| 1997 | Anna Karenina | Boris | Bernard Rose |
| 2003 | The Confidence Trick | Walter | Jon Gilbert, Christopher Ross |
| 2004 | Creep | Guy | Christopher Smith |
| 2005 | The Wedding Date | Jeffrey | Clare Kilner |
| 2008 | Last Chance Harvey | Matt | Joel Hopkins |
| 2008 | Miss Conception | James | Eric Styles |
| 2008 | The Children | Robbie | Tom Shankland |
| 2010 | StreetDance 3D | Michael | Max Giwa, Dania Pasquini |
| 2010 | The Long Lonely Walk | JD | Leon Chambers |
| 2011 | The Power of Three | Movie Star | Yvonne Deutschman |