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Kyle Pryor
Kyle Pryor
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Kyle Pryor (born 10 January 1984) is a British actor from Surrey, England. He is known for his roles as Nate Cooper in the Australian soap Home and Away and Laurie Shelby in the Channel 4 British soap opera, Hollyoaks. Before these appearances, he was a stunt man on several films including Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. He also acted on several New Zealand–based television dramas, including This Is Not My Life and Go Girls.

Key Information

Early life

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Pryor began training in the Korean martial art of Taekwondo at age 14. He competed in various national competitions, winning the British and English Championships in his weight and grade category. In 2003, he was awarded a 'Distinction' Black Belt.[1]

Between 2003 and 2006, he attended the University of Worcester to complete a Joint Honours Bachelor of Arts in Media and Culture and Sports Science.[1] In late 2011, Pryor received full New Zealand citizenship.[1]

Career

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Pryor emigrated to New Zealand in 2006 and he became a stuntman due to his fitness training and martial arts skills on Underworld: Rise of the Lycans in 2009 and The Warrior's Way in 2010.[2]

He got his first major acting role as Marcus in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand in 2010. He later starred in This Is Not My Life, a local New Zealand production, and in the ABC series Legend of the Seeker.

In 2012, the actor moved to Australia, auditioning for the role of Kyle Braxton.[3] He was considering returning to the UK, when he auditioned for the role of Andy Barrett in Home and Away in September 2013. He was unsuccessful, but was later cast as doctor Nate Cooper.[4] Pryor made his final appearance as Nate on 5 June 2017.[5]

On 7 August 2018, it was announced that Pryor had joined the cast of British soap opera Hollyoaks.[6] He left the show when his character Laurie Shelby was killed off in August 2019.[7] Pryor made a guest appearance in fellow British soap opera Emmerdale as Darren in December 2022.[8]

Pryor stars as the romantic lead in the 2024 television film Christmas at Plumhill Manor which premiered on the Great! Christmas channel on 15 November.[9]

Personal life

[edit]

Pryor was previously engaged to creative director Julia-Rose O'Connor.[10] He has been in a relationship with his former Hollyoaks co-star Anna Passey since 2019.[11] The couple run the candle company Kip Candle Co.[9] Pryor took up candle making while he was in Home and Away as a way to decompress. When he took it up again, Passey suggested they turn it into a business.[9]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Spartacus: Blood and Sand Marcus 1 episode
2010 This Is Not My Life Safeway Guard 1
2010 Legend of the Seeker Walter as 'D'Haran'
2011 Go Girls Shane
2011 The Fall Guys Max
2011 Nothing Trivial Saul
2012 Auckland Daze Kyle
2013 The Blue Rose Anton
2013 Battles Ryan
2013 White Lies Soldier New Zealand film
2013–2017 Home and Away Nate Cooper Main cast (seasons 26–30)
2018–2019 Hollyoaks Laurie Shelby Main cast
2020 Finding Joy Will Dack 4 episodes
2022 Emmerdale Darren Walker Guest
2024 Christmas at Plumhill Manor Alfie Television film

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kyle Pryor (born 10 January 1984) is a British actor from , , recognized for his prominent roles in television soap operas and dramas. He gained widespread attention for portraying Nate Cooper, a doctor and family man, in the Australian series from 2013 to 2017. Prior to his acting breakthrough, Pryor worked as a stuntman in , contributing to productions such as Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009) and (2010). Pryor's career spans both film and television, with early acting credits including the role of Marcus in the Starz historical drama Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010). He later starred as the controversial teacher Laurie Shelby in the British soap Hollyoaks from 2018 to 2019. Additional television appearances include guest roles in New Zealand series like Legend of the Seeker and This Is Not My Life, as well as more recent British projects such as Emmerdale, The Outlaws (2021), and Professor T. (2021, 2024). In film, he featured in White Lies (2013), a New Zealand historical drama, and the romantic lead in Christmas at Plumhill Manor (2024). Throughout his career, Pryor has balanced high-profile commitments with diverse supporting roles, often drawing on his background for physically demanding scenes. His transition from stunts to acting highlights a versatile path in the entertainment industry, with ongoing work in British and international television.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Kyle Pryor was born on 10 January 1984 in , . This places him at 41 years old as of 2025. Pryor spent his early years in until his parents divorced when he was six, after which he moved to a caravan in Dorset with his mother. This experience shaped his strong and appreciation for and . In 2006, at the age of 22, Pryor emigrated to , motivated by career opportunities in the region. In late 2011, he acquired full citizenship.

Education and martial arts training

Pryor began training in at the age of 14, developing a strong foundation in the Korean martial art through dedicated practice. He progressed competitively, winning the British and English Championships in his weight and grade category. In 2003, he earned a black belt in , marking a significant milestone in his athletic development. Pryor attended the from 2003 to 2006, where he completed a Joint Honours in Media/Culture and . His university studies in media and sparked his interest in performance and entertainment, as he first set his sights on an acting career during this period. These academic pursuits complemented his physical discipline from , fostering skills in both creative expression and athletic prowess.

Career

Early roles and stunt work

Pryor began his career in the entertainment industry as a after emigrating from the to in 2006. His physical fitness and martial arts training, including beginning at age 14 and achieving a black belt in 2003, positioned him well for the demands of stunt work. He made his debut as a stuntman in the fantasy action film Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (2009), contributing additional stunts to the production filmed in New Zealand. This role marked his entry into high-profile international projects, building on his athletic background. Pryor's stunt experience expanded with The Warrior's Way (2010), a New Zealand-South Korean co-production where he performed stunts in the film's intense action sequences, drawing on his Taekwondo expertise for martial arts elements. The project presented logistical challenges typical of cross-cultural shoots, including coordinating complex fight choreography across diverse crews. In the same year, Pryor secured his first acting credit as the character Marcus in the historical drama series Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010), a minor role that represented his shift from behind-the-scenes work to on-screen performance. He handled his own stunts in the series, further honing his skills in a demanding environment. He also appeared in guest roles in series including (2010) as D'Haran Walter, This Is Not My Life (2010) as Safeway Guard 1, and (2011) as Shane. Active from 2009 through 2012, Pryor focused on gaining practical experience in New Zealand's film and television sector before relocating to in 2012 to pursue additional opportunities. This period solidified his foundation in both stunt coordination and acting within Australasian productions.

Home and Away (2013–2017)

Kyle Pryor was cast as Dr. Nathaniel "Nate" Cooper, a who arrives in to work at Northern Districts Hospital, with the role announced by the production team in early September 2013. The character, portrayed as a dedicated but initially reluctant newcomer to the rural area, debuted on-screen later that month, marking Pryor's first major ongoing role in Australian television. Pryor, drawing from his own recent relocation to , described Nate's frantic introduction to the Bay as mirroring his personal experiences, involving immediate entanglements with local residents. Throughout his tenure, Nate evolved from a peripheral medical professional into a central figure in Summer Bay's interpersonal and criminal dramas. Early storylines saw him develop a romantic connection with photographer Ricky Sharpe, beginning with a kiss as she sought to move on from her imprisoned ex-boyfriend Brax Braxton, though their relationship was complicated by Nate's undisclosed marriage to Sophie Taylor, who arrived seeking reconciliation. After ending his marriage to Sophie amid emotional turmoil, including her health collapse post-split, Nate rekindled his bond with Ricky, leading to an engagement and eventual wedding in 2016. However, Brax's surprise return from presumed death strained their union, prompting Nate to encourage Ricky's reunion with her former love, effectively ending their marriage. Later arcs shifted Nate toward a new romance with surgeon Tori Morgan, marked by conflicts over family secrets and differing life goals, such as his reluctance to have children, while professionally he faced peril, including being framed for assault by Billie Ashford and risking his life in a cliff rescue of VJ Patterson. Pryor's prior experience in stunt work proved beneficial in depicting Nate's action-oriented sequences, such as the high-stakes cliff incident. Over his four-year run, spanning from 2013 to 2017, the role solidified Pryor's presence in Australian soaps, transforming him from an outsider actor into a recognized through Nate's arc from isolated doctor to deeply involved community member. Nate departed in June 2017, relocating for a new job opportunity abroad following his breakup with Tori and professional tensions at the hospital, where he felt unsupported after a patient's raised questions. Pryor expressed gratitude to fans upon exit, crediting their enthusiasm and input for enhancing the show's success and describing the experience as a "dream come true" that profoundly changed his life and career trajectory. The portrayal garnered strong viewer affection, establishing Nate as a beloved character whose dramatic entanglements captivated audiences during Pryor's 834-episode span.

Later television roles

Following his departure from Home and Away in 2017, Pryor returned to the , leveraging his experience to secure roles in British television productions. Pryor's most prominent post-Home and Away role was as the villainous PE teacher Laurie Shelby in the Hollyoaks, debuting on 8 November 2018. Laurie, married to Sinead O'Connor (played by Stephanie Davis), was introduced as a seemingly upstanding educator at Hollyoaks High but quickly became central to intense dramatic arcs. His storyline prominently featured domestic abuse, including manipulating and terrorizing Sinead, culminating in a controversial plot where he assaulted her and evaded immediate justice through deceit. Pryor portrayed Laurie as a "master of his domain" who inflicted a on the village, also harassing colleague (Jo Lipsett) in a failed case. The character was killed off on 8 August 2019 after 77 episodes, with Pryor expressing satisfaction at evoking strong viewer disdain for the role. This stint marked Pryor's shift back to UK-based soaps, adapting to the faster-paced production style after four years in Australian television. Between 2017 and 2022, Pryor took on several guest appearances in other UK series, reflecting his diversification within episodic television. In 2020, he played Will Dack, a romantic interest in the RTÉ comedy-drama Finding Joy, appearing in four episodes where his character sparked positive fan reactions for adding charm to the protagonist's storyline. He followed this with minor roles such as a hunky bystander in the BBC comedy The Outlaws (2022) and Joseph Bernard in the ITV detective series Professor T (2024), both highlighting his versatility in supporting parts. In December 2022, Pryor made a brief guest appearance in ITV's as , a flashy newcomer introduced on 7 December. Darren entered the storyline amid Vinny Dingle's (Bradley Johnson) emerging gambling issues, challenging Vinny, Mack Boyd, and to a high-stakes poker game at The Woolpack after spotting their low-key session. He also met with (Claire King) to discuss a horse deal, positioning him as a catalyst for village tensions in episodes airing that week. Fans recognized Pryor from his prior soap work, with the role receiving attention for bridging his Australian and British television careers. In 2023, he appeared as Aiden Leigh in three episodes of the Sky comedy series Funny Woman.

Film appearances

Kyle Pryor's entry into feature films began with stunt work, leveraging his taekwondo expertise to contribute to high-energy action productions. In 2009, he served as an additional stunt performer on Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, the third installment in the Underworld franchise, where his contributions supported the film's visceral werewolf-vampire battle sequences. Pryor continued in stunts the following year with The Warrior's Way (2010), a genre-blending western directed by Sngmoo Lee and starring . As a , he participated in the movie's dynamic action set pieces, including intricate sword fights and frontier shootouts that fused Eastern and Western combat styles. Transitioning toward , Pryor took on his first credited on-screen role in the 2013 New Zealand historical drama White Lies (original title: Tuakiri Huna), directed by Dana Rotberg. He portrayed a in this tale of cultural secrets and colonial tensions in 19th-century , marking an early step beyond physical performance. Pryor's film profile elevated significantly in 2024 with a leading role in the holiday romance Christmas at Plumhill Manor. He played Alfie, the charming love interest to architect Margot Stone (Maria Menounos), as she inherits an English manor, embraces festive traditions, and finds unexpected romance amid its magical secrets. The film, directed by Brian Herzlinger, premiered on Lifetime on November 16, 2024. This evolution from stunt contributions to protagonist parts underscores Pryor's growing presence in cinema, with his training providing a foundation for authentic physicality in both stunt and acting capacities.

Personal life

Relationships

Pryor was engaged to Julia-Rose O'Connor, whom he had been dating for three years prior to the proposal during a romantic holiday in , in January 2017, while he was starring on . The engagement occurred amid his busy filming schedule on the soap, but it ended prior to the start of his next major relationship. Since October 2019, Pryor has been in a relationship with actress , his former co-star on , where they first met on set during his portrayal of Laurie Shelby opposite her role as . The couple confirmed their romance publicly through posts, though they have largely kept details private, occasionally sharing glimpses of their life together at events or travels. Their partnership began shortly after Pryor's relocation to the for , marking a significant personal transition following his Australian-based career. Pryor and Passey have maintained a high level of concerning or children, with no public announcements or details reported as of 2025.

Business ventures and interests

In 2020, Kyle Pryor co-founded Kip Candle Co. with his partner , launching the business during the lockdown to produce luxury, high-strength scented candles inspired by their travels. The company emphasizes eco-friendly, cold-process candles with seasonal scents, available through their account @kipcandleco, which Pryor promotes alongside his personal profile @kylepryor. This venture stems from Pryor's longstanding hobby of candle-making. Pryor maintains an ongoing interest in fitness and , building on his achievement of a black belt in with distinction in 2003. His training in these disciplines, which began in his youth and included , continues to inform his physical regimen as of 2025. Reflecting his ties to the entertainment industry, Pryor attended the 30th Anniversary Party on 20 October 2025 in .

Filmography

Television roles

Kyle Pryor's television career includes several notable roles in both guest appearances and series regulars, spanning Australian, New Zealand, British, and international productions. His earliest credited acting role on television was as a stunt performer in the fantasy series Power Rangers Jungle Fury in 2008, contributing to 2 episodes. In 2010, he appeared as Safeway Guard 1 in the New Zealand sci-fi miniseries This Is Not My Life, in 1 episode. In 2011, he guest-starred as Saul in the comedy-drama Nothing Trivial, in 1 episode. Pryor gained early recognition in 2010 as Marcus, a young gladiator recruit who meets a swift end in the arena, in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, for one episode titled "Sacramentum Gladiatorum." From 2013 to 2017, he portrayed Nate Cooper, a compassionate doctor and who becomes entangled in the lives of the community, as a regular cast member in the Australian Home and Away, appearing in approximately 550 episodes across four seasons. In 2013, he played Anton in the New Zealand crime drama , in a recurring role across 5 episodes. In 2018–2019, Pryor played Laurie Shelby, a manipulative deputy headteacher and husband to Sinead Shelby, in the British soap on , for 78 episodes until the character's dramatic death. He appeared as the gambler Darren, who causes trouble at The Woolpack pub, in a guest capacity in the ITV soap in 2022, across 2 episodes. Other guest spots include Hunky Guy in the BBC comedy The Outlaws (2022, 1 episode), Aiden Leigh in the Sky comedy-drama Funny Woman (2023, 3 episodes), Joseph Bernard in the ITV crime drama Professor T. (2023, 1 episode), and various minor roles in miniseries tied to Home and Away, such as Home and Away: An Eye for an Eye (2015), Home and Away: Revenge (2016), and Home and Away: All or Nothing (2017), reprising Nate Cooper.
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodesNotes
2008Power Rangers Jungle FuryStunt performer2Stunts.
2010Legend of the SeekerD'haran Walter1Guest; soldier in the D'Haran army.
2010This Is Not My LifeSafeway Guard 11Guest.
2010Spartacus: Blood and SandMarcus1Guest; gladiator recruit.
2011Nothing TrivialSaul1Guest.
2011Go GirlsShane2Guest; romantic interest.
2013–2017Home and AwayNate Cooper~550Series regular; doctor in Summer Bay.
2013The Blue RoseAnton5Recurring role.
2015Home and Away: An Eye for an EyeNate CooperMiniseries (full)Reprise; 3 episodes.
2016Home and Away: RevengeNate CooperMiniseries (full)Reprise; 3 episodes.
2017Home and Away: All or NothingNate CooperMiniseries (full)Reprise; 3 episodes.
2018–2019HollyoaksLaurie Shelby78Series regular; deputy headteacher.
2020Finding JoyWill Dack4Recurring role.
2022The OutlawsHunky Guy1Guest; minor comedic role.
2022EmmerdaleDarren2Guest; gambler causing pub chaos.
2023Funny WomanAiden Leigh3Guest.
2023Professor T.Joseph Bernard1Guest; supporting role in crime drama.

Film roles

Kyle Pryor's feature film credits span stunt work in action films during his early career and acting roles in later independent and holiday productions.
YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Underworld: Rise of the LycansStunt performerAdditional stunts in the supernatural action film.
2010The Warrior's WayStunt performerStunts for the martial arts western directed by Sngila Lee.
2011The Fall GuysMaxActing role as one of the protagonists in the New Zealand comedy-crime film.
2013White LiesSoldierActing role in the New Zealand drama film directed by Dana Rotberg.
2024Christmas at Plumhill ManorAlfie BaileyLead acting role opposite Maria Menounos in the holiday romance film.
2024Loch Ness 1303Alexander De ForbesActing role in the animated historical fantasy film.

References

  1. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anna_Passey_and_Kyle_Pryor.jpg
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