Paul Nicholls (actor)


Gerard Paul Greenhalgh, known professionally as Paul Nicholls, is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Joe Wicks in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, DS Sam Casey in the ITV drama Law & Order: UK, and Steve Bell in the Channel 4 drama ''Ackley Bridge.''

Career

Nicholls made his television debut in 1990 at the age of 10, in Children's Ward. In 1994, he appeared in the BBC children's drama Earthfasts and The Biz, a teenage performing arts drama filmed at Hampton Court. In 1996, he appeared in an episode of Out of the Blue. Later that year, Nicholls began portraying the role of Joe Wicks in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role which he played until 1997, and a cameo appearance in 2024.
Nicholls appeared in several teenage stage roles, notably as Aladdin in Aladdin - Genie of the Ring at the Central Theatre in Chatham, and he made his London stage debut as Billy Fisher in the 1998 production of Billy Liar, at the King's Head Theatre in Islington.
Nicholls' 2008 career began as the character Robert Fielding in Harley Street alongside Suranne Jones. He also played Harry Keegan in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Judas in another BBC series entitled The Passion, and appeared in A Thing Called Love. He then appeared in the 2012 feature film Life Just Is.
Nicholls also appeared as Simon Marshall in the BBC hospital drama serial Holby City between May and July 2012, and played Cal Beckett in Channel 4's crime thriller, The Fear. He played the role of DS Sam Casey in ITV's Law & Order: UK until the end of series 7 in 2013.
From 2017 to 2018, Nicholls portrayed the role of Steve Bell in the Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge. From September to October 2018, Nicholls starred alongside Iwan Rheon in Foxfinder at the Ambassadors Theatre. In January 2019, Nicholls took over the role of Raymond from Mathew Horne in the British touring production of Rain Man.

Personal life

Nicholls lives in Hampstead, London.
From 2008 to 2015, Nicholls was married to Chantal Brown.
In July 2017, Nicholls was badly injured while on holiday in Thailand after falling from a waterfall in Ko Samui. As his mobile phone was broken, he was left stranded at the bottom of the waterfall for three days, and only rescued by volunteer rescuers, police and medics after locals alerted police to the motorcycle he had travelled on, which lay abandoned nearby. He was later taken to hospital, suffering from broken legs and a shattered knee. Nicholls' agent said he was "recovering well".
In May 2021, Nicholls revealed that he suffered a stroke in 2018. The stroke caused him to experience deep depression, which led to him becoming addicted to dihydrocodeine and cocaine throughout 2020. He confirmed that he was attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings and was glad to be in recovery, stating that if he were to relapse again, he "would die".

Filmography

YearShowRoleNotes
1990Children's Ward1 episode
1994EarthfastsDavidSeries regular
1995The BizTim MarshallSeries regular
1996Out of the BlueMatt Pearson1 episode
1996–1997, 2024EastEndersJoe WicksSeries regular; 177 episodes
1998–1999City CentralPC Terry SydenhamSeries regular
1999Love StorySeth
1999The PassionDaniel
2001Table 12Ol1 episode
2001Gimme Gimme GimmeHimselfComic Relief Special
2003The Canterbury TalesJerome1 episode: "The Wife of Bath"
2003Blue DoveNick Weston8 part series
2004Gunpowder, Treason & PlotLord Darnley2 part mini-series
2004A Thing Called LoveGary Scant6 part series
2006HustleAdam RiceEpisode: "Law and Corruption"
2006Girls Aloud: Off the RecordNarrator6 episodes
2007Agatha Christie's MarpleTed LatimerEpisode: "Towards Zero"
2007Clapham JunctionTerryTelevision film
2008Fairy TalesConnor GruffEpisode: "Billy Goat"
2008The PassionJudas4 part series
2008BonekickersJames1 episode: "Army of God"
2008Harley StreetRobert Fielding6 part series
2011Secret Diary of a Call GirlHarry Keegan3 episodes
2011Candy CabsTony McQueen3 part series
2012–2013Law & Order: UKDS Sam CaseySeries regular
2012Midsomer MurdersDave FoxelyEpisode: "A Rare Bird"
2012Holby CitySimon MarshallRecurring role
2012Lake Placid: The Final ChapterRyan LoflinTelevision film
2012The FearCal BeckettRecurring role
2013Great Night OutScott1 episode
2015The C-WordPete LynchTelevision film
2016Death in ParadiseJay Croker1 episode
2016GrantchesterReggie Lawson1 episode
2016In the ClubNathan ParkerMain role; 4 episodes
2017–2018Ackley BridgeSteve BellMain role; 15 episodes
2023–2024Phoenix RiseCarl HopkinsMain role