Don Gilet

Last updated

Don Gilét
Born (1967-01-17) 17 January 1967 (age 57)
Walsall, England
OccupationActor
Years active1993—present
Television EastEnders
55 Degrees North
Holby City
Old Jack's Boat
Death in Paradise
SpouseTracy Whitwell
Children1

Don Gilét (born 17 January 1967) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as DS Nicky Cole in 55 Degrees North , Lucas Johnson in EastEnders , and Jesse Law in Holby City .

Contents

Early life

Gilét was brought up in Caldmore, Walsall, with two older sisters. He attended Whitehall Junior School before Blue Coat Church of England Academy and Sunday school at Caldmore Gospel Hall in Caldmore, and the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

Career

Gilét's first television appearance was on the Channel 4 dating show Streetmate , where he was interviewed as the friend of a participant. His first major role was playing Johnny Lindo in Babyfather (opposite future EastEnders co-star Diane Parish), before landing the lead role in the detective series 55 Degrees North , as Detective Sergeant Nicky Cole. In 2006, he played Leo Charles in The Line of Beauty and had a guest role in the Doctor Who Christmas episode "The Runaway Bride".

In 2001, Gilét appeared in a commercial for Apple's iMac G4 computer. The commercial was named "Window Shopping" and showed Gilét making certain gestures towards the iMac, which the computer later copied. He also appeared as a store manager in a staff training video for Sainsbury's supermarkets. He has had minor appearances in Casualty , Holby City , Silent Witness and The Bill .

Gilét featured in the music video for Gabrielle's 2001 hit "Out of Reach". In 2011, he featured in a music video for the song 'I Want You to Remember' by solo artist I Am Spartacus.

In theatre, he has appeared in As You Like It and The Alchemist .[ citation needed ]

In April 2008, he joined the BBC television soap opera EastEnders playing serial killer Lucas Johnson. [1] Gilét's character left EastEnders on 30 July 2010.

In 2010, he appeared as Abanazar in the Churchill Theatre Bromley's Christmas pantomime Aladdin alongside Melinda Messenger. He followed that in 2011 by appearing at the Grove Theatre, [2] Dunstable in Jack and the Beanstalk , which also featured his EastEnders co-star Gemma Bissix.

In May 2013, Gilét played the roles of Fuliginous, Ruislip & Blackfriar in a BBC radio adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere , adapted by Dirk Maggs.

In 2014, Gilét joined the cast of BBC medical drama Holby City in the role of Consultant Anaesthetist Jesse Law. [3]

In 2015, Gilét rejoined the cast of BBC soap opera EastEnders to reprise his role of Lucas Johnson, departing again on 10 March 2016. In 2017, Gilét joined the TV series The Loch , playing psychologist Blake Albrighton. The character made his debut in the series's first episode on 11 June 2017.

Gilét's Lucas Johnson character returned to EastEnders on 25 December 2020 and departed on 18 March 2021. [4] In 2022, he portrayed the role of Coach Harris in the BBC series Rebel Cheer Squad . [5] Gilèt rejoined EastEnders in 2024 for a brief guest stint.

In 2024, it was announced that Gilet will be the new lead detective, DI Mervin Wilson, in the BBC police drama Death in Paradise . [6]

Personal life

Gilét previously lived in Bedfordshire with his wife, Tracy Whitwell, an actress and author, and their son.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1991, 2003 The Bill Martin Fisher/Gary Heywood2 episodes
1993 Desmond's GerardEpisode: "Lollipop Man"
1993 Demob Oliver2 episodes
1994 The Imaginatively Titled Punt & Dennis Show 2 episodes
1995Now WhatTV movie
1998Brothers and SistersMartin Etienne
2000 The Return of Nick Cotton BiscuitTV movie
2001 Casualty Lee FreemanEpisode: "Lost and Found"
2001-2002 Babyfather Johnny Lindo12 episodes
2002 Time Gentlemen Please Jamie HardyEpisode: "Storming Up a Cook"
2002 Cutting It Errol1 episode
2002, 2014-2016 Holby City Martin/Jesse Law Regular (as Jesse Law)
2002Single VoicesDenzel 'Degsy' CokerEpisode: "Degsy"
2002-2003 Fimbles Voice
2003 Doctors P.C. Graham MitchellEpisode: "Driving Me Mad"
2003 Silent Witness Carlton Johns2 episodes
2004Belly ButtonCarlShort film
2004-2005 55 Degrees North DS Nicky ColeMain role
2006 The Line of Beauty Leo Charles3 episodes
2006 Doctor Who Lance BennettEpisode: "The Runaway Bride"
2006 The Ruby in the Smoke Henry HopkinsTV film
2007 Cape Wrath Freddie Marcuse8 episodes
2008 Hotel Babylon Brad Shelford1 episode
2008-2010, 2016, 2020-2021, 2024 EastEnders Lucas Johnson Regular
2010 EastEnders: E20 Lucas Johnson2 episodes
2012One NightDC Hutton4 episodes
2012-2013 Wizards vs Aliens Richard Sherwood3 episodes
2013 Father Brown Douglas Taylor1 episode
2013-2014 Old Jack's Boat Captain PeriwinkleRegular
2015, 2024- Death in Paradise Andre Morgan / DI Mervin WilsonLead role (as DI Mervin Wilson)
2017 The Loch Blake Albrighton6 episodes
2018 Midsomer Murders Bill VinerEpisode: "The Lions of Causton"
2018 Death on the Tyne AlanTV movie
2019 The Corrupted DI Graham Patterson
2019George & the DragonGeorgeShort film
2019 Scarborough Joe Cassidy1 episode
2020 The Stranger Phillip Griffin3 episodes
2020 Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators Winston Hoyte1 episode
2021DecryptedMartin
2022 Rebel Cheer Squad Coach Harris7 episodes
2022 Sherwood Jacob Harris2 episodes
2023 Shetland John Howell2 episodes
2024 The Beekeeper Deputy Director Prigg

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef.
2010 Inside Soap Awards Best ActorNominated [7]
Best Dramatic PerformanceNominated [7]
The British Soap Awards Villain of the Year Nominated [8]
2011Shortlisted [9]
16th National Television Awards Serial Drama PerformanceNominated [10]

Related Research Articles

Ben Price is an English actor, director and writer. He has played the role of Nick Tilsley in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street and has made four films as a writer/director, the first of which, I'm Sorry To Tell You, was BAFTA-shortlisted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diane Parish</span> English actress (born 1969)

Diane Carol Richards, known professionally as Diane Parish, is an English actress, who has been portraying the character Denise Fox on the BBC One soap opera EastEnders since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denise Fox</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Denise Fox is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Diane Parish. She made her first appearance on 11 May 2006 and temporarily left EastEnders in early 2008 to give birth to her second child. Her leave-taking had coincided with the departures of Matt Di Angelo, Phil Daniels and Kellie Shirley. She returned to Walford on 6 June 2008. This is Parish's second role in EastEnders, as she previously played singer Lola Christie in 1998.

Belinda Owusu is an English actress, known for her roles as Libby Fox in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and Nicky McKendrick in BBC medical drama series Holby City.

Adrian Lewis Morgan is a British actor from Beddau, Wales, known for portraying the role of Jimmi Clay in the BBC One soap opera Doctors. Having appeared since 2005, he was the longest serving cast member on Doctors.

Lindsey Coulson is an English actress, known for her portrayal of Carol Jackson on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. For this, she won the 2000 British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance. Other roles include Cheryl in Manchild (2002–2003), DC Rosie McManus in Murder Investigation Team (2003–2005), DCI Sarah Tanner in Bulletproof (2018–2021), and Penny Armstrong in The Bay (2019–2021). Coulson's film credits include AKA (2003) and Funny Cow (2017).

Natalie Joy Robb is a Scottish actress and singer. She played the roles of Gemma Clewes in EastEnders, Trish McDonald in the Scottish Television soap opera Take the High Road (1990–1999) and Jude Carlyle in the BBC soap opera Doctors (2001–2004). Since 2009, she has portrayed the role of Moira Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Her other television roles include Dream Team (2000–2001) and The Bill (2004–2005).

Stephen John Shepherd is an English actor. He is known for his portrayals of Jo in the TV drama This Life and Michael Moon in the soap opera EastEnders from 2010 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie Waring</span> English actress (born 1978)

Stephanie Louise Waring is an English actress, known for her roles in the Australian soap opera Crash Palace (2001–2002), the BBC1 drama series Nice Guy Eddie (2001–2002), and Channel 4's Hollyoaks (1996–2024), where she appeared for almost three decades as Cindy Cunningham. Her other television work includes guest appearances on Merseybeat, Holby City, Doctors, and Coronation Street, as well as competing in the tenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Quinlan</span> English actor (b. 1984)

Anthony Quinlan is a British actor from Salford, England, known for his roles as Gilly Roach in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks and Pete Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

Georgia Taylor is an English actress. Her TV roles include Toyah Battersby in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, Ruth Winters in the BBC One medical drama series Casualty (2007–2011), and Kate Barker in the ITV crime series Law & Order: UK (2013–2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claire Cooper</span> British actress (b. 1980)

Claire Elizabeth Cooper is a British actress, best known for portraying Jacqui McQueen in Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a character she played full time from 2006 to 2013 and returned to for one episode in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucas Johnson</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Lucas Aaron Johnson is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Don Gilet. He made his first on-screen appearance on 3 April 2008. Lucas is introduced as a reformed drug addict and criminal-turned-preacher who appears as the estranged father of established character Chelsea Fox. He also has a young son, Jordan, and later goes on to marry Chelsea's mother Denise - whom he had previously been in a relationship with prior to their reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maisie Smith</span> English actress, singer (b. 2001)

Maisie Louise Collender Smith is an English actress and singer. She appeared in the feature film The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and played the regular role of Tiffany Butcher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2014. In November 2016, Smith temporarily returned to EastEnders for a guest stint, before making a full-time return in January 2018. In October 2021 it was announced that she would once again be leaving EastEnders and her final scenes aired in December of that year; she made a one-off appearance in March 2022 to aid the departure of Keegan Baker. In 2020, she competed in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside partner Gorka Marquez, reaching the final but losing out to Bill Bailey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Elliott</span> English actor (born 1979)

Marc Elliott is an English actor. He won a British Soap Award for his role as Syed Masood in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2009–2012). He has since played Isaac Mayfield in the medical drama Holby City (2016–2019). He is also known for his theatre work.

Neil McDermott is a British stage and television actor, who is best known for portraying Ryan Malloy in the BBC television soap opera EastEnders.

The twelfth series of the British medical drama television series Holby City commenced airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 20 October 2009. The series deals with the repercussions of the death of ward sister Faye Byrne's son Archie, including the resignation of consultant Connie Beauchamp and the return of former registrar Thandie Abebe-Griffin. It also focuses on staff members' romantic and family lives. F1 Oliver Valentine becomes romantically involved with registrar Jac Naylor and ward sister Daisha Anderson, and his sister Penny embarks on a secret romance with a heart transplant patient. Consultant Linden Cullen is reunited with his estranged daughter Holly, nurse Donna Jackson decides to adopt her half-niece Mia, sister Chrissie Williams gives birth to a son, Daniel, and Faye becomes pregnant by her estranged husband Joseph. The series includes a crossover episode with sister show Casualty and it also has the highest number of episodes to date, as the series contains a small number of episodes which air during the same week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse Law</span> Fictional character

Jesse Law is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama Holby City, played by actor Don Gilet. He first appeared in the series sixteen episode "Battle Lines", broadcast on 22 April 2014. Jesse arrives at Holby City employed as a Consultant Anaesthetist working on the hospital's Keller ward. The show created a rich backstory for the character meaning he already knew three regular characters Guy Self, Zosia March and Colette Sheward. Jesse and Guy share a professional history and close friendship as it was Guy who mentored Jesse after noticing his talent. He is characterised as a flirtatious, confident and cocky character. Professionally he is a highly skilled anaesthetist and possesses a strong bedside manner. His lack of humbleness has also created animosity with other characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davood Ghadami</span> English actor (b. 1982)

Davood Ghadami is an English actor. Following his appearances in Taggart in 2010, he appeared in the BBC medical programmes Doctors and Casualty in recurring roles. In 2014, he began portraying the role of Kush Kazemi in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role he stayed in until 2021 when the character was killed off. Following Ghadami's departure from EastEnders, it was announced that he had joined the cast of the BBC medical drama Holby City as Eli Ebrahimi.

References

  1. Hilton, Beth (29 January 2008). "'Babyfather' star joins 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  2. "What's On at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable Archived 30 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine ", The Grove Theatre. URL. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  3. Moon, Katy (19–25 April 2014). "Jesse loves to be controversial!". Inside Soap (15): 41.
  4. "Is Lucas Johnson leaving EastEnders and will he die in prison?". Heart (radio network) . Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  5. "Teen mystery and suspense returns to BBC iPlayer with Rebel Cheer Squad". BBC Media Centre. 8 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  6. "There's a new detective in Saint Marie!". X (formerly Twitter). 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  7. 1 2 Wightman, Catriona (13 July 2010). "In full: Inside Soap Awards 2010 nominees". Digital Spy .
  8. Green, Kris; Kilkelly, Daniel (9 May 2010). "British Soap Awards 2010: The Winners". Digital Spy . Hachette Filipacchi UK . Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  9. Kilkelly, Daniel (14 May 2011). "British Soap Awards 2011: The Winners". Digital Spy .
  10. Wightman, Catriona (21 September 2010). "National Television Awards 2011 - Nominees". Digital Spy . Retrieved 21 September 2010.