Simon Merrells
| Simon Merrells | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 July 1966 London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
Simon Merrells (born 1966) is an English actor best known for his portrayal of Marcus Licinius Crassus in Spartacus: War of the Damned. He is also a stage actor. He is the older brother of Jason Merrells.
Stage acting
Merrells appeared with his brother Jason in a production of The Comedy of Errors in 2007, playing twins.[1]
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";[3] The Independent said he "brings his own brand of studied vulnerability and sullen pride to the part".[4]
Merrells performed as Benedict 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.[5] 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".[6]
Filmography
He has appeared on television in London's Burning, Family Affairs (as bouncer Conrad Williams),[2][7] and Merseybeat.[1]
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.[8] 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 21lbs.[9] Also that year, he portrayed character Mark Vega in the British horror film Judas Ghost.
2013–present
Tomorrow People, TheThe Tomorrow People The FounderEarly life
Merrells was born on the 14th July 1966, in London, two years before his brother Jason. 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][7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Clayton, Emma (30 October 2007). "Brothers’ double trouble". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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.
- ↑ 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. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 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.
- ↑ "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
- Simon Merrells at the Internet Movie Database
- Simon Merrells On Playing Crassus, Huffington Post (video interview)