Simon Merrells, an Essex-born thespian, is the elder of the two acting siblings, born in 1965, three years prior to his younger brother Jason's arrival. Despite the lack of a familial background in acting, both brothers were drawn to the stage at an early age, attending Saturday morning drama classes, followed by Sylvia Young school, and Simon furthered his education at drama college. Upon graduation, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, spending time traveling abroad before returning to the UK to work as a mini-cab driver to save up for a return trip to Mexico, where he planned to reunite with his circus-performing girlfriend.
After a brief hiatus, Simon refocused his attention on acting, turning professional in 1994. He has since been remarkably prolific on stage, collaborating with esteemed organizations such as the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Notable performances include his portrayal of Benedick alongside Sally Anne Triplett's Beatrice in 'Much About Nothing' and, in a poignant familial reunion, acting alongside Jason for the first time in fourteen years as real-life brothers in 'The Comedy of Errors', both productions staged in 2007.
On television, Simon gained widespread recognition for his role in the British soap opera 'Family Affairs'.
