Wilbert "Wil" Johnson, a talented English actor, was born in 1965 in Muswell Hill, London. His mother, an addressmaker, and his father, a carpenter, instilled in him a strong sense of family values. Despite having a speech impediment and experiencing regular panic attacks, Johnson's journey in the world of acting was anything but ordinary.
Johnson's first foray into acting came in the 1985 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he landed a role in the play Four Seasons. This marked the beginning of a successful career in television, with minor appearances in series such as Casualty and London's Burning. His breakthrough role came in the London Weekend Television series Anna Lee, where he played detective Stevie Johnson.
Throughout the 1990s, Johnson continued to hone his craft, making appearances in various television shows, including Cracker, where he played the supporting role of Detective Constable Skelton. In between roles, he worked for a local undertaker, driving the hearse and serving as a pallbearer. It was during this time that he discovered the unexpected joy of being recognized by a mourner at a funeral, who asked for his autograph after spotting him from Cracker.
In 2000, Johnson landed a significant role in the BBC television pilot Waking the Dead, where he played Detective Sergeant Spencer Jordan, a member of a specialized police unit tasked with investigating cold cases. The show returned for a complete series in 2001, and Johnson has remained a main cast member ever since.
Johnson's impressive range was showcased in his roles in various television series, including Clocking Off, where he played Steve Robinson, and Babyfather, where he appeared as a main cast member in two series. In 2004, he took on the title role in the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company's production of Othello, a performance that cemented his status as a talented stage actor.
In addition to his television work, Johnson has also appeared in the BBC drama Waterloo Road, playing the role of Marcus Kirby. He departed the show in the second half of the second series. In 2011, Johnson starred as Gangstar Boss Big Mike in the film Anuvahood, further solidifying his status as a versatile and accomplished actor.
