Tom Payne
Tom Payne is best known for his role as 'Paul "Jesus" Rovia' in AMC's record-breaking hit series The Walking Dead. A beloved character in the comic book series, his debut in the spring of 2016 was met with both fan and critic approval.
Previously, Tom starred on Luck, the critically acclaimed HBO series from creators Michael Mann and David Milch which centered on the fast-paced and sometimes brutal sport of professional Horse Racing. Payne played the lead role of ‘Leon Micheaux’, a jockey in the center of this tumultuous world.
Payne made his feature film debut in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day opposite Amy Adams and Frances McDormand, and was cited as one of Screen International's "Stars of Tomorrow."
Other credits include the lead role in The Physician as the title character, 'Rob Cole.' Based on the bestselling novel by Noah Gordon, about a young man who wants to learn medicine from a renowned scholar in Persia, the film also stars Sir Ben Kingsley, Stellan Skarsgaard and Olivier Martinez and was released by Universal Pictures internationally. He also starred as the famous footballer George Best in the BBC telefilm Best, as well as in Miss Marple with Brian Cox, and Withering Heights opposite Tom Hardy and Andrew Lincoln.
A U.K. native, Tom is a graduate of London's Central School of Speech and Drama, from which he earned his BA in Acting in 2005. At the School, he appeared in stagings of such plays as ‘Class Enemy’, ‘The Balcony’, ‘The Rivals’, ‘Three Sisters’, ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ (as Bottom), 'Richard III’, and ‘The Man Who Had All the Luck’.
Post-graduation, Mr. Payne starred in a lead role in David Grindley's sold-out New Ambassadors revival of Journey's End in London's West End; and played opposite Imogen Stubbs in Maria Aberg's Soho Theatre staging of Shrieks of Laughter.
He has also made appearances on U.K. television, in episodes of the hugely popular Skins as well as Casualty. He had a regular role on the hit show Waterloo Road; and has costarred in the telefilms Miss Marie Lloyd directed by James Hawes, and He Kills Coppers directed by Adrian Shergold.
When not filming, Tom currently resides in Los Angeles.