Paul Clayton is an English actor, director and author.
Career Clayton played Ian Chapman in Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show. for five series. In 2011, Clayton portrayed Sam Foster, father of Frank Foster in Coronation Street. Clayton also appears in the BBC Three sitcom Him & Her where he plays Graham. In 2013 and 2014, he played Superintendent Marlow in Hollyoaks, until his character was murdered on 21 April.
Clayton has made other notable television appearances in Doctor Who, My Family, Doctors and Wire in the Blood, as well as films such as Ali G Indahouse. He also features in the British crime thriller The Rise.
Clayton filmed "Danny Boy" for Expectation films in November 2020. He appeared in the film Greed released in February 2020 and in Sky One original Breeders He also appears in an episode of Cursed for Netflix as Ladislas. He has also directed Joe Orton's The Ruffian on the Stair at The Hope Theatre in January 2019 featuring Lucy Benjamin, Gary Webster and Adam Buchanan. Clayton was seen in "Outrageous Fortune", the opening episode of Series two of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators, alongside Alan Partridge in This Time with Alan Partridge, and in the acclaimed Black Earth Rising. He also appeared in season 2 of The Crown on Netflix as Bob Boothby. He also filmed Delicious with Dawn French for Sky One. Clayton made his first stage appearance following a hiatus of ten years in Brimstone and Treacle at the Hope Theatre in 2017; he was nominated for the Offie for Best Actor. In May 2018, Clayton appeared in major roles in Holby City and The Split on BBC One. He also shot the short horror picture Service directed by Theo Watkins.
Clayton plays Mr Colchester in Torchwood for Big Finish Productions.
In 2021 Clayton recorded "The Red List," a new adventure for Big Finish.
On stage, Clayton was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company where he appeared alongside actors including Judi Dench and Zoe Wanamaker. In the West End, Clayton played the leading role of Tony in the improvised comedy whodunnit Scissor Happy at the Duchess Theatre alongside The Comedy Store Players.
Clayton's directing credits include Privates on Parade at the Greenwich Theatre, starring Tony Slattery, The Comedy of Errors at Nottingham Playhouse starring Robert Bathurst, Paula Wilcox and Janet Dibley, The Pocket Dream at York Theatre Royal starring Lucy Benjamin and seven productions at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury.
Clayton was Chairman of the Actors' Centre in Covent Garden for ten years, stepping down in January 2018 and a former member and associate artist of the National Youth Theatre. He is a regular columnist for The Stage newspaper and patron of The Hope Theatre in Islington. He is also a patron of children's literacy charity, Grimm & Co, based in his home town of Rotherham.
Clayton's most recent appearances inlucde Drew Peacock in BBC One's Eastenders, Sir William Kingsley in Wolf Hall The Mirror and the Light, and more Torchwood adventures for Big Finish.
He played Bernard Ingham in Channel 4's Brian and Maggie in 2025.
Filmography
Film & Television Year Title Role Episode2025Brian and MaggieBernard Ingham2 episodes2024EastEndersDrew PeacockGuest2023 The Full MontyDennis8 episodes2022–2026House of the DragonLord MerryweatherEpisodes: "The Green Council" and "Queen's Landing"2020Danny BoySir Thayne ForbesFilmHolby CityRoger Ffoulkes1 episodeBreedersJeweller1 episode2019CursedLadislas1 episodeShakespeare & Hathaway: Private InvestigatorsLeonard Baxter1 episodeThis Time with Alan PartridgeDr Harding1 episodeHolby CityRoger Ffoulkes1 episode2018GreedHeadmasterFilmHolby CityRoger Ffoulkes1 episode2017The SplitStanley Brining 1 episodeThe Forgiving EarthJack Markham1 episodeThe CrownBob Boothby3 episodes2016 Man in an Orange ShirtRegistrar1 episodeDriftersUncle Gerald1 episodeDeliciousGuy Trevelyan1 episodeThe Frankenstein ChroniclesConfectioner2 episodes2015 Wolf Hall Sir William Kingston 2 episodes Mr Selfridge Auctioneer Episode 3.3 2013–14 Hollyoaks Supt. Marlow 9 episodes 2012–13 Him & Her Graham 5 episodes 2013 Vera Hotel Manager Prodigal Son2012 Gambit Sweaty Man Film The Secret of Crickley Hall Ted Mason Episode 1 The Rise Albert Rendell Film VIP The Daily Mail 1 episode2011 Coronation Street Sam Foster 3 episodes Sugartown Panel Member 1 Episode 2 Law & Order: UK Kenny Crush 2010 Doctors Rowly Calderone 5 episodes2009 The Queen Bernard Ingham Episode: "The Rivals" Monday Monday William Campbell Episode No. 1.6 My Family Peter A Difficult Undertaking 2008 Wire in the Blood Governor Williams 3 episodes Affinity Mr. Vincy TV film Doctor Who Mr Bartle Planet of the Ood He Kills Coppers Tweed Suit 1 episode Doctors Eddie Martindale Holding Back 2007–2015 Peep Show Ian Chapman 6 episodes 2007 Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest Mergrass (voice) 3 episodes Hotel Babylon Businessman Episode No. 2.4 Rich Man, Poor Man: Ben Dover Straightens Up Himself – Acting Coach Documentary2006 The Amazing Mrs Pritchard John Hughes MP Episode No. 1.1 The Bad Food Guide Raymond Postgate Drama documentary Save Lullingstone Castle Himself – Narrator Six Part documentary2005 Coronation Street Mal Quillan Episode No. 1.6108 55 Degrees North Charles Bellows Episode No. 2.4 2004 Fakers Henry Price Film 2003 Georgian Underworld Ordinary Invitation to a Hanging 2002 My Family Director The Second Greatest Story Ever Told Ali G Indahouse Alan Swan Film 2001 Doctors John Lanson Coming Home 2000 One Foot in the Grave Mitch Werner The Futility of the Fly The Man Who Cried Second Official Film 1999 Kiss Me Kate Client Money Matters Tabs Tales Various Multiple Episodes 1996 Drop the Dead Donkey Mike Luck 1989 Forever Green Commentator 2 Episode No. 1.2 1988 Salome's Last Dance 1st Nazarean Film 1982/83 Jigsaw Himself – Presenter Multiple Episodes 1981 Brideshead Revisited Tom Markham Orphans of the Storm 1980 All Creatures Great and Small Brian Weeting If Wishes Were Horses 1979 Screenplay Major Von Richter (Barricade Major) Gossip from the Forest Mersey Pirate Himself – Presenter Multiple episodes
Audio drama YearTitleRoleNotes2024Torchwood: Special ReleasesA Christmas Card from Mr ColchesterMr ColchesterA bonus audio released alongside "Reflect"Torchwood Monthly RangeReflectTorchwood: Special ReleasesAnother Postcard from Mr ColchesterA bonus audio released alongside "Sabotage"Torchwood Monthly RangeSabotage2023Torchwood: The Story ContinuesAmong Us 2022Torchwood: Special ReleasesA Postcard from Mr ColchesterA bonus audio released alongside "Death in Venice"Torchwood Monthly RangeDeath in Venice2021The Red ListDoctor Who: Time Lord VictoriousEchoes of ExtinctionEdwards2020The Lives of Captain Jack Volume 03Episode: "Crush"Driver2019The War Master: Rage of the Time LordsEpisode: "The Survivor"HaleTorchwood: The Story ContinuesGod Among Us Mr Colchester2018Cicero Series 01SullaTorchwood: The Story ContinuesAliens Among UsMr Colchester20172016Torchwood: Special ReleasesThe Torchwood Archive2014Big Finish Special ReleasesThe Night of the TriffidsBill Masen / General FieldingBased on John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids2013The Confessions of Dorian GrayThe Prime of Deacon BrodieWilliam Wright2005Bernice Summerfield The Kingdom of the BlindForty Four2003Doctor Who: The Monthly AdventuresThe WormeryHenry2000ADJudge Dredd: War PlanetGlomi
References
External links