Joe Absolom


Joe Absolom is an English actor best known for his roles as Matthew Rose in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, Al Large in the ITV comedy drama Doc Martin and Ray Walters in Emmerdale.

Early life

Absolom was born in Lewisham, London. A former pupil of Forest Hill School, he made early appearances in the legendary Sun-Pat peanut butter advertisements before making his acting debut with the 1991 film Antonia and Jane.

Career

Absolom joined the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 1997 portraying Matthew Rose. He had few storylines in his first year on the show. The storyline which gained him recognition was the murder of Saskia Duncan, which began in February 1999. His character was framed for the murder by the real culprit, Steve Owen. After getting revenge on Steve, his character's last appearance aired in February 2000. Absolom won Best Actor at The British Soap Awards that same year.
After leaving EastEnders, Absolom played the leading role in the 2002 British horror film Long Time Dead, and a supporting role in the ITV series Vincent. He became known for his role in Doc Martin playing Bert Large's son, Al.
Absolom guest starred in The Bill between 1992 and 2009 in different roles, and as Benny, a violent loan shark in Casualty. He appeared as a criminal in the internet crime thriller Girl Number Nine, also starring Tracy-Ann Oberman and Gareth David-Lloyd. More recently, he played the part of Ivan in the 2013 horror film 'I Spit on Your Grave 2'. He won a celebrity version of TV show Total Wipeout which aired on 18 September 2010, receiving £10,000 for charity. He played the real life murderer Christopher Halliwell in the drama A Confession in 2019. He starred in the ITV drama The Bay in 2021.
In 2025, Absolom joined the cast of Emmerdale as Ray Walters, a charismatic but dangerous man who is involved in drug-dealing and people trafficking.

Radio

Absolom is also a radio actor, and has appeared in a BBC Radio 4 Play of the day "Bringing Eddie Home" by John Peacock, based on a true story of the fight by East End couple Edna and Jack Wallace to get their son's body brought home from Aden, and the ensuing fight for the rights of British Service personnel. Absolom played the role of Eddie Wallace and the play also included other ex-EastEnders actors Bill Treacher, Edna Doré, Todd Carty and Tilly Vosburgh.

Filmography

Film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992The BillKevin Parsons1 episode: Radio Waves
1994The BillMick1 episode: King of the Hill
1996The Tenant of Wildfell HallFergus Markham3 part series
1996The BillTommy Benning1 episode: Toe the Line
1997FrightenersErrand Boy1 episode: If You Meet A Fairy
1997Silent WitnessKelvin Price1 episode: Friends Like These
1997Touching EvilCraig Jones1 episode: 1.5
1997DangerfieldAlex Dell1 episode: Contact
1997–2000EastEndersMatthew RoseSeries regular
2001Now You See HerLewis
2002Stan the ManDepp6 part series
2003Unconditional LoveBenjamin Cain
2003ServantsGeorge Cosmo6 part series
2003Trevor's World of SportScottRecurring
2003P.O.W.Drew Pritchcard6 part series
2004The Long FirmTommy
2004–2022Doc MartinAl LargeSeries regular
2005–2006Vincent P.I. RobertSeries regular
2006New TricksLuke Hanson1 episode: Congratulations
2008The BillMark Lawrence2 episodes: We Are Family
2008PoirotJames Bentley1 episode: Mrs McGinty's Dead
2008CasualtyBenny2 episodes: This Will Be Our Year and
Took A Long Time To Come
2008Caught in a TrapMarcus
2009Personal AffairsBob Baxter5 part series
2009New TricksLuke Hanson1 episode: The Last Laugh
2009Girl Number 9BoylanInternet series
2010Ashes to AshesAndy Smith1 episode
2010Total WipeoutHimself/participantCelebrity edition
201071 Degrees NorthHimself/participant
2010Thorne: Scaredy CatStuart NicklinThree-part series
2012Hatfields & McCoysSelkirk McCoyMini-series
2015Midsomer MurdersLuke AltmanEpisode 17.2 "Murder by Magic"
2015Death in ParadiseAiden ParkerEpisode 4.6
2015SuspectsDean ClarkeEpisode 4.2
2016The LevelShay Nash
2019A ConfessionChristopher Halliwell
2021The BayAndy Warren6 episodes
2025Silent WitnessCalvin Ream2 episodes "I Believe In Love "
2025Code of SilenceBraden Moore, "Hulk"6 episodes
2025–2026EmmerdaleRay WaltersRegular role
2026CorriedaleRay WaltersCrossover episode between Coronation Street and Emmerdale

Awards and nominations