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 Simon Merrells.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Simon Merrells
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Simon Merrells is an English film, television and stage actor best known for his portrayal of Marcus Licinius Crassus in Spartacus: War of the Damned.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Merrells was born in London, three years before his brother Jason Merrells. [1] He started drama school, but soon left to work as a minicab driver to fund travelling to Mexico, where he painted. He became involved in fringe theatre in Brighton, where his brother was living, when he returned to England.[2][3]
Career
[edit]Stage
[edit]Merrells appeared with his brother Jason in a production of The Comedy of Errors in 2007, playing twins.[4]
Merrells has worked with director Steven Berkoff several times, first in a world tour of the play Coriolanus. In 2009, he played Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront, directed by Berkoff.[2] Variety said that "Compact and bristling with contained energy, Simon Merrells has the right physicality to play Terry but never quite emerges from Brando’s long shadow";[5] The Independent said he "brings his own brand of studied vulnerability and sullen pride to the part".[6]
Merrells performed as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing at the Liverpool Playhouse in 2007, and starred as Oedipus in another Berkoff production at the same venue in 2011.[2] He was nominated for a Stage Award for Best Actor for that role.[7] Later that year he played detective Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep; The Stage said he was "charismatic" but "a touch too suave and slick".[8]
He has appeared on television in London's Burning as DSO Griggs, Family Affairs (as bouncer Conrad Williams),[2][3] and Merseybeat.[4]
Film and television
[edit]In 2009, Merrells had a lead role in the 2009 film, Invisible Eyes. In 2010, he portrayed Ben Talbot, brother of Lawrence Talbot in remake of The Wolfman.[9] In 2013, he portrayed the Roman commander Marcus Licinius Crassus in the Starz series Spartacus: War of the Damned. He had to undergo a strict diet and four-week fitness boot camp in preparation for the role, losing 21 lbs.[10] Also that year, he portrayed character Mark Vega in the British horror film Judas Ghost. He also plays The Founder in the 2013 American remake of The Tomorrow People.
In 2014, Merrells starred in a small sci-fi film named Index Zero as Kurt, a main character, and two films in 2015, Billionaire Ransom (originally titled Take Down) and Victrix. In 2015, Merrells guest-starred in the Syfy channel series Dominion as a dyad named Julian. Also in 2015 Merrells starred in a futuristic short film called The Leap as an enforcement agent whose job it is to stop people trafficking on an interplanetary scale. In 2016, Merrells was cast as Tancrede de Hautville in the History channel's series Knightfall, which premiered in the United States in December 2017.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Invisible Eyes | Dan |
| 2010 | The Wolfman | Ben Talbot |
| 2013 | Spartacus: War of the Damned | Marcus Licinius Crassus |
| 2013 | Judas Ghost | Mark Vega |
| 2014 | Index Zero | Kurt |
| 2014 | The Tomorrow People | Hugh Bathory / The Founder |
| 2015 | Billionaire Ransom | Jonathan Tilton-Scofield |
| 2015 | Dominion | Julian |
| 2016 | Victrix | Marius |
| 2017–18 | Legends of Tomorrow | Julius Caesar |
| 2017–19 | Knightfall | Tancrede de Hautville |
| 2018 | 12 Monkeys | Andrus |
| 2019 | Good Omens | Leslie the International Express Man |
| 2022 | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Watchwarden Revion |
| 2023 | A Million Days | Anderson |
| 2023 | The Winter King | Gundleus |
| 2024 | Miss Fallaci | Irving Hoffman |
| 2025 | Afterburn | Tank Commander |
| 2025 | Outlander: Blood of My Blood | Malcom MacKinnon Grant |
References
[edit]- ^ "Brothers' double trouble". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 30 October 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Jones, Catherine (4 February 2011). "Actor Simon Merrells talks about taking on the role of Oedipus and working with Steven Berkoff". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ a b Davis, Laura (16 February 2011). "Simon Merrells on starring as Oedipus in Steven Berkoff's new Liverpool Playhouse production". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ a b Clayton, Emma (30 October 2007). "Brothers' double trouble". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ Fricker, Karen (29 April 2008). "Review: "On the Waterfront"". Variety. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ Walker, Lynn (6 August 2008). "On The Waterfront, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Festival: Up front and fiery". The Independent. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ Smith, Alistair (August 2011). "Previous winners Guy Masterson and NTS in running for Stage Edinburgh Awards". The Stage. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ Tripney, Natasha (28 October 2011). "The Big Sleep". The Stage. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ "Check Out 'The Wolfman' On Blu-ray & DVD June 1". Starpulse. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ Dehority, Sam. "A Spartacus Fitness Transformation". Men's Fitness. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
External links
[edit]- Simon Merrells at IMDb
- Simon Merrells On Playing Crassus, Huffington Post (video interview)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Simon Merrells
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Simon Merrells is an English actor best known for his portrayal of the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus in the Starz television series Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013).[1] Born on July 14, 1965, in Essex, England, he is the elder brother of fellow actor Jason Merrells and has built a versatile career spanning stage, television, and film, often embodying authoritative or intense characters in historical dramas and genre projects.[2][1]
Merrells trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts but briefly dropped out to work as a minicab driver, using the earnings to fund a period living in Mexico before returning to the UK to pursue fringe theatre in Brighton.[3][2] His professional stage debut came in the mid-1990s, leading to prominent roles with prestigious institutions such as the National Theatre, where he played Ammianus in Emperor and Galilean (2011), the Royal Shakespeare Company in productions like The Comedy of Errors (2007), and Shakespeare's Globe as Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream.[1][3] He also took the title role in Sophocles' Oedipus at the Edinburgh Festival.[3]
Transitioning to screen work, Merrells made his television debut in 1997 on The New Adventures of Robin Hood and gained early recognition as a series regular playing firefighter Griggs in the long-running ITV drama London's Burning (2000–2001).[2] His film breakthrough arrived with the role of Ben Talbot in the Universal Pictures horror remake The Wolfman (2010), opposite Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins.[3] Subsequent notable television performances include Tancrede in the History Channel series Knightfall (2017–2019), Julius Caesar in DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2017), Watchwarden Revion in Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022), and Gundleus in MGM+'s The Winter King (2023).[1][3] More recent credits encompass Irving Hoffman in the Paramount+ miniseries Miss Fallaci (2024), Uncle Malcolm 'Mac' Grant in Outlander: Blood of My Blood (2025–), and the Tank Commander in the sci-fi action film Afterburn (2025).[4]
Personal life
Early life
Simon Merrells was born on 14 July 1965 in Epping, Essex, England.[1] He grew up in the London area, developing an early interest in performance through films and theatre. As a child, he attended evening classes at the Sylvia Young Theatre School alongside his younger brother Jason Merrells, who later became an actor.[5][2] At age 13, Merrells participated in a school production of A Man for All Seasons, taking on the role of Cardinal Wolsey, which further sparked his fascination with acting. He enrolled at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts at age 17 but soon dropped out, later reflecting that the experience "cured me of wanting to be an actor."[5][2] Following this, he worked as a minicab driver to fund personal travels.[2] In 1988, at age 23, Merrells traveled to Mexico for a year, where he worked as a male model for magazines and fashion shows while exploring painting as a means of self-discovery.[6][5] Upon his return to England in 1989, he began participating in fringe theatre productions in Brighton, serving as his initial foray into the entertainment industry.[5][2]Family
Simon Merrells is the elder brother of actor Jason Merrells, who was born on 9 March 1968.[7] The brothers share a family background rooted in the London and Essex areas, where they were both born and raised.[1] Their parents played a key role in nurturing their interest in performing arts by enrolling them in drama classes from a young age, an experience that sparked Simon's early passion for acting and influenced his decision to pursue a career in the field.[6]Career
Stage
Merrells began his professional stage career in the fringe theatre scene in Brighton after returning to the UK from travels abroad in the early 1990s.[2] His initial roles included supporting parts in productions such as Richard III as Tyrell/Lord Grey at Derby Playhouse and Pride and Prejudice as Mr. Darcy at Perth Repertory Theatre, establishing a foundation in classical repertoire.[3] He continued with ensemble work in smaller venues, including The House of Correction as Steve at MPS and Coriolanus as part of the ensemble in Steven Berkoff's production for East Productions, which marked the start of a significant collaboration and featured a world tour in 1996-1997.[3][8] Merrells' partnership with director Steven Berkoff became a cornerstone of his stage work, highlighting his affinity for intense, physical theatre styles. In 2009, he portrayed Terry Malloy in Berkoff's adaptation of On the Waterfront at Nottingham Playhouse, later transferring to the Edinburgh Festival and Haymarket Theatre.[3] This was followed by his titular role in Berkoff's Oedipus at Nottingham Playhouse in 2011, also presented at the Edinburgh Festival, earning him a nomination for Best Actor in a Play at The Stage Awards.[9] These collaborations showcased Merrells' ability to embody complex, tormented characters in Berkoff's stylized verse adaptations of classic texts. Beyond Berkoff, Merrells took on prominent roles in major institutions, including Antipholus of Ephesus in the Royal Shakespeare Company's The Comedy of Errors in 2007, where he appeared alongside his brother Jason Merrells as the twin Antipholus of Syracuse, bringing authentic fraternal chemistry to the farce.[10] That same year, he played Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing at Liverpool Playhouse.[3] In 2011, Merrells starred as the hard-boiled detective Philip Marlowe in Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep at The Mill at Sonning, delivering a charismatic performance noted for its suave intensity amid the thriller's web of deceit.[11] He also appeared at the National Theatre in roles such as Ammianus in Emperor and Galilean (2011).[3] Later, in 2016, he played Robert in Harold Pinter's Betrayal at Exeter Northcott Theatre.[12] Additionally, in 2010, he portrayed Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare's Globe.[13] Merrells' stage career, spanning fringe origins to leading roles at the RSC and National Theatre, solidified his reputation for portraying authoritative yet vulnerable figures in classical and modern dramas, emphasizing physicality and emotional depth that transitioned effectively to screen work.[3]Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Invisible Eyes | Dan[14] |
| 2010 | The Wolfman | Ben Talbot[15] |
| 2013 | Judas Ghost | Mark Vega[16] |
| 2014 | Index Zero | Kurt[17] |
| 2016 | Billionaire Ransom | Jonathan Tilton-Scofield[18] |
| 2023 | A Million Days | Anderson[19] |
| 2025 | Afterburn | Tank Commander[20] |
Television
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2007 | The Bill | Various (DC Barry Glazzard, George Gosse) | Multiple episodes https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/simon-merrells/credits/3030069454/ |
| 2000–2001 | London's Burning | D.O. Griggs | 14 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094519/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2004–2005 | Family Affairs | Conrad Williams | 22 episodes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Family_Affairs_characters |
| 2002–2003 | Merseybeat | Chris Traynor | 5 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278246/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2013 | Spartacus: War of the Damned | Marcus Licinius Crassus | 10 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442449/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2013–2014 | The Tomorrow People | Hugh Bathory / The Founder | 6 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2660734/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2017–2018 | Legends of Tomorrow | Julius Caesar | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4532368/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2017–2019 | Knightfall | Tancrede de Hautville | 18 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4555364/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2018 | 12 Monkeys | Andrus | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3786310/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2019 | Good Omens | International Express Man (Leslie) | 4 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1869454/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2022 | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Watchwarden Revion | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7631058/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2023 | The Winter King | Gundleus | 10 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11716756/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2024 | Miss Fallaci | Irving Hoffman | Miniseries https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26548398/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2025 | Outlander: Blood of My Blood | Uncle Malcolm 'Mac' Grant | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29493542/characters/nm0581163 |
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Small Time Obsession | Racing Manager[21] |
| 2009 | Invisible Eyes | Dan[14] |
| 2010 | The Wolfman | Ben Talbot[15] |
| 2013 | Judas Ghost | Mark Vega[16] |
| 2014 | Index Zero | Kurt[17] |
| 2016 | Billionaire Ransom | Jonathan Tilton-Scofield[18] |
| 2023 | A Million Days | Anderson[19] |
| 2025 | Afterburn | Tank Commander[20] |
Television
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The New Adventures of Robin Hood | Baragon | 1 episode[22] |
| 1995–2007 | The Bill | Various (DC Barry Glazzard, George Gosse) | Multiple episodes https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/simon-merrells/credits/3030069454/ |
| 2000–2001 | London's Burning | D.O. Griggs | 14 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094519/characters/nm0581163 |
| 1999–2001 | Family Affairs | Conrad Williams | 22 episodes https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/SimonMerrells |
| 2002–2003 | Merseybeat | Chris Traynor | 5 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278246/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2013 | Spartacus: War of the Damned | Marcus Licinius Crassus | 10 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442449/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2013–2014 | The Tomorrow People | Hugh Bathory / The Founder | 6 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2660734/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2015 | Dominion | Julian | 8 episodes[23] |
| 2017–2018 | Legends of Tomorrow | Julius Caesar | 3 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4532368/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2017–2019 | Knightfall | Tancrede de Hautville | 18 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4555364/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2018 | 12 Monkeys | Andrus | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3786310/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2019 | Good Omens | International Express Man (Leslie) | 4 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1869454/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2022 | The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power | Watchwarden Revion | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7631058/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2023 | The Winter King | Gundleus | 10 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11716756/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2024 | Miss Fallaci | Irving Hoffman | Miniseries https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26548398/characters/nm0581163 |
| 2025 | Outlander: Blood of My Blood | Uncle Malcolm 'Mac' Grant | 2 episodes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18332852/characters/nm0581163 |