Jack Shepherd: Leeds-born actor and star of ITV police drama dead at 85
Jack Shepherd, who has died at 85, was a Leeds-born actor who starred as the title character in ITV’s police drama Wycliffe, based on the novels by WJ Burley.
The series aired between 1993 and 1998 and saw Shepherd’s character investigating murders in Cornwall alongside his colleagues DI Doug Kersey, played by Scottish actor Jimmy Yuill, and Helen Masters’ DI Lucy Lane.
Shepherd was also known for earlier television roles, most notably the title character in Trevor Griffiths’ 1976 political drama, Bill Brand, which charted the career of a rebellious Labour MP.
His film appearances included All Neat in Black Stockings (1969), Wonderland (1999) and The Golden Compass (2007).
Shepherd attended Roundhay School in Leeds and then studied fine art at Newcastle University, during which time he acted as an amateur with the People’s Theatre.
After gaining his BA he went on to study acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama and as a student founder of the Drama Centre London.
He also was a talented musician, playing in a jazz ensemble with fellow drama student Jon Lord, later of the bands Deep Purple and Whitesnake.
In his 20s he became the leading light of London’s Royal Court theatre, getting his TV break in the Seventies as a put-upon TV director in Jack Rosenthal’s behind-the-scenes drama for Granada, Ready When You Are, Mr McGill.
Meanwhile, Bill Brand earned him a Bafta nomination as best actor in 1977.
Alongside TV, Shepherd acted on stage at the National Theatre. He directed The Two Gentlemen Of Verona in 1996 at Shakespeare’s Globe and the show also went to Broadway.
He won multiple awards, including an Olivier award for the original production of Glengarry Glen Ross in 1983.
He later worked with director Bill Bryden on numerous theatre productions and was a playwright in his own right, as well as a saxophonist and jazz pianist.
He is survived by his second wife, the TV producer Ann Scott, and by five children.