Jason Peter Watkins, born on 28 October 1962, is a versatile English actor with an impressive career in stage, film, and television. He earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of the titular character in The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, a performance that won him the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor. Watkins is also known for a wide range of roles, including the vampire William Herrick in Being Human, supermarket manager Gavin Strong in Trollied, and the comedic Simon Harwood in W1A. His film credits include Gordon Shakespeare in the Nativity series, and he portrayed Prime Minister Harold Wilson in season three of The Crown. More recently, he has taken on the role of Detective Sergeant Dodds in McDonald & Dodds.

Watkins was born in Albrighton, Shropshire, and later moved to Wolverhampton with his family. His father worked as a metallurgist and his mother was a primary school teacher. His early exposure to performance came through clowning lessons from mime artist Ben Benison, a presenter on Vision On. This experience ignited his interest in acting, particularly as drama allowed him to thrive despite his dyslexia.

He pursued formal training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 1985 with a diploma in acting. Since then, Jason Watkins has built a reputation for delivering powerful, nuanced performances across a wide array of genres, making him a respected figure in British entertainment.

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