Dean Andrews
Biography
Dean Andrews is an English actor born on August 6, 1963, in Rotherham, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. He began his career as an entertainer and singer on cruise ships before being discovered by film director Ken Loach. Andrews is known for his television roles, including DS Ray Carling in the BBC drama series Life on Mars and its sequel series Ashes to Ashes, which he appeared in until 2010. In April 2019, he began appearing as Will Taylor on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, a role he played until his character died of a heart attack on December 26, 2024. He attended Sitwell Junior School and Oakwood Comprehensive School in Rotherham, where he went to school with television presenter James May.
Career overview
Dean Andrews is an English actor born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, in 1963. Before his acting career, he worked as a mainstay entertainer and singer on cruise ships before being discovered by film director Ken Loach.
He is known for his television roles, including DS Ray Carling in the BBC drama series Life on Mars, a role he continued in the sequel series Ashes to Ashes until 2010. In April 2019, he began appearing as Will Taylor on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He departed from the show on December 26, 2024, when his character died of a heart attack.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
53 titles- Number One Fan (2026) as Stewart Jones
- Agatha and the Truth of Murder (2018) as Wade
- Torvill & Dean (2018) as Colin Dean
- The Moorside (2017) as PC Steve 'Kinchie' Kinchin
- Dark River (2017) as Matty
- Delicious (2016) as Steven Green
- Jericho (2016)
- Banana (2015) as Alan
- Original Drama Shorts (2014) as Nick
- Father Brown (2013) as Michael Negal
- Being Eileen (2013) as Pete Lewis
- Frankie (2013)
- The Security Men (2013) as Ray
- Last Tango in Halifax (2012) as Robbie
- Elfie Hopkins: Cannibal Hunter (2012) as Villager
- Girl Shaped Love Drug (2012) as Her Father
- Vera (2011) as Jonah Regan
- The Body Farm (2011) as Peter Collins
- Marchlands (2011) as Eddie Maynard
- Just Henry (2011) as Bill
- United (2011) as Bert Whalley
- Weekender (2011) as Sergeant Thompson
- The Case (2011) as Tony Powell
- Chris Moyles' Quiz Night (2009) as Self
- Wish 143 (2009) as Bus Driver
- Kandahar Break (2009) as Steve Delamore
- Salvage (2009) as Clive
- The Making of... Ashes to Ashes (2009) as Himself
- Ashes to Ashes (2008) as Ray Carling
- True Dare Kiss (2007) as Vinny
- The End of 'Life on Mars' (2007) as Self
- Waterloo Road (2006) as Gary Vale
- Life on Mars (2006) as Ray Carling
- New Street Law (2006) as Dennis Longwell
- Missing (2006) as Mark Lanser
- Missing: All Secrets Have a Price (2006)
- My Summer of Love (2005) as Ricky
- Faith (2005) as Davey
- Love + Hate (2005) as Derek
- Shameless (2004) as Geoff Mulligan
- Blue Murder (2003) as Will Harmon
- Buried (2003) as Barry Shiel
- Between The Sheets (2003) as Steve Ashby
- Wire in the Blood (2002)
- The Navigators (2001) as John
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Tom Asher
- Silent Witness (1996)
- Soccer AM (1995) as Self
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- Heartbeat (1992)
- This Morning (1988) as Self
- Casualty (1986) as Reg Summerston
- Emmerdale (1972) as Will Taylor
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dean Andrews best known for?
Dean Andrews is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Father Brown (2013), Vera (2011), The Last Tycoon (1976), United (2011).
When and where was Dean Andrews born?
Dean Andrews was born on August 6, 1963 in Rotherham, Yorkshire, UK.
How many credits does Dean Andrews have?
Dean Andrews has accumulated over 53 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1972 to 2026.
What is Dean Andrews's background in cinema and television?
Dean Andrews is an English actor born on August 6, 1963, in Rotherham, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. He began his career as an entertainer and singer on cruise ships before being discovered by film director Ken Loach. Andrews is known for his television roles, including DS Ray Carling in the BBC drama series Life on Mars ...
Dean Andrews by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Wire in the Blood (2002) — aged about 38
- Life on Mars (2006) as Ray Carling — aged about 42
- Ashes to Ashes (2008) as Ray Carling — aged about 44
- Father Brown (2013) as Michael Negal — aged about 49
- Shameless (2004) as Geoff Mulligan — aged about 40
- Silent Witness (1996) — aged about 32
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