Jonathan Watson
{{Short description|Scottish actor}}
{{For|the Scottish Episcopal bishop|Jonathan Watson (bishop)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jonathan Watson
| image =
| birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland
| occupation = Actor, writer
| alma_mater = Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
| years_active = 1979–present
| known = City Lights (1984–1991)
Naked Video (1986–1991)
Only an Excuse? (1993–2020)
Bob Servant (2013–2015)
Two Doors Down (2013–present)
}}
Jonathan Watson (born 23 November 1957) is a Scottish actor best known for his comedy sketch show Only an Excuse?, which parodied people and events from the world of Scottish football, as well as roles in the BBC comedies Bob Servant Independent in which he appears with Brian Cox, and as Colin in the acclaimed Two Doors Down (2013–present). In the 1980s he was also a regular cast member of the Scottish sitcom City Lights and the sketch show Naked Video.
Early life and education
Watson was born in Glasgow and was educated at Hillhead Primary and Hillhead High School.{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/would-the-real-jonathan-watson-please-stand-up-1-1112762 |title=Would the real Jonathan Watson please stand up? |work=The Scotsman |date=10 December 2005 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011063517/http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/would-the-real-jonathan-watson-please-stand-up-1-1112762 |url-status=live }} He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and graduated in 1979. He joined the TAG Theatre Company then followed this with a season with the 7:84 company.{{cite news |url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/whats-on/yer-granny-star-is-enjoying-old-pals-act-1-3779630 |title=Yer Granny star is enjoying old pals' act |first=Julie |last=Currie |work=The Falkirk Herald |date=26 May 2015 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014104826/http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/whats-on/yer-granny-star-is-enjoying-old-pals-act-1-3779630 |url-status=live }}
Career
=Television and film=
He had a part in Bill Forsyth's 1983 film Local Hero, and moved to London in 1986 before returning to Scotland two years later. Watson appeared in all five seasons of Naked Video that were broadcast on BBC Scotland between 1986 and 1991,{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11924343.Seriously__it_apos_s_funny/ |title=Seriously, it's funny |first=Albert |last=Naismith |work=The Herald|location=Glasgow |date=23 September 1989 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011060420/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11924343.Seriously__it_apos_s_funny/ |url-status=live }} He was also in City Lights, Rab C. Nesbitt{{cite web |last1=Alex |first1=Michael |title=Two Doors Down comedy actors Doon Mackichan and Jonathan Watson on their love - for Courier Country! |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/entertainment/785632/two-doors-down-comedy-actors-doon-mackichan-and-jonathan-watson-on-their-love-for-courier-country/ |website=The Courier |access-date=14 November 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812215322/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/entertainment/785632/two-doors-down-comedy-actors-doon-mackichan-and-jonathan-watson-on-their-love-for-courier-country/ |url-status=live }} and Only an Excuse?.{{cite web |last1=Deanie |first1=Marc |title=Only An Excuse? this Hogmanay will be the show's final instalment after 27 years on TV |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/1720204/only-an-excuse-bbc-show-jonathan-watson/ |website=The Courier |access-date=14 November 2020 |archive-date=15 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115004445/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/1720204/only-an-excuse-bbc-show-jonathan-watson/ |url-status=live }}
In 2013, Watson appeared in Rob Drummond's Quiz Show at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/13098797.QUIZ_SHOW__Traverse_Theatre__Edinburgh/ |title=QUIZ SHOW, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh |first=Neil |last=Cooper |work=The Herald |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011140158/http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/13098797.QUIZ_SHOW__Traverse_Theatre__Edinburgh/ |url-status=live }} In 2014 he played Archie in John Byrne's adaptation of Chekhov's The Three Sisters for The Tron, Glasgow.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/oct/09/three-sisters-review |title=Three Sisters review – beautifully controlled Chekhov in Scotland |first=Mark |last=Fisher |work=The Guardian |date=9 October 2014 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217185748/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/oct/09/three-sisters-review |url-status=live }} He was also in The National Theatre of Scotland's production of Yer Granny, which toured Scotland & Northern Ireland.{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13192360.Cast_announced_for_new_National_Theatre_comedy/ |title=Cast announced for new National Theatre comedy |first=Phil |last=Miller |work=The Herald |date=4 December 2014 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011140202/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13192360.Cast_announced_for_new_National_Theatre_comedy/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jun/02/yer-granny-review-douglas-maxwell-national-theatre-of-scotland |title=Yer Granny review – Gregor Fisher as another lovable Scottish grotesque |first=Mark |last=Fisher |work=The Guardian |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217185535/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jun/02/yer-granny-review-douglas-maxwell-national-theatre-of-scotland |url-status=live }}
He appeared in the horror film Let Us Prey which was released in 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/let-us-prey-review-just-when-you-imagine-the-people-onscreen-couldn-t-be-more-evil-they-are-1.2245942 |title=Let Us Prey review: Just when you imagine the people onscreen couldn't be more evil, they are |first=Tara |last=Brady |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=12 June 2015 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125351/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/let-us-prey-review-just-when-you-imagine-the-people-onscreen-couldn-t-be-more-evil-they-are-1.2245942 |url-status=live }} Early television appearances included minor parts in The Bill and Casualty. In Bob Servant which sees him playing opposite Brian Cox, as Bob's trusty sidekick - Frank. He was acted as Clice Bagshawe in Fried.
Following the success of a one-hour pilot, a six-part comedy series Two Doors Down was made which screened on BBC2 beginning in March 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenational.scot/culture/hit-comedy-two-doors-down-is-back-after-winning-fans-on-both-sides-of-the-border.15581 |title=Hit comedy Two Doors Down is back after winning fans on both sides of the Border |first=Nan |last=Spowart |work=The National |date=28 March 2016 |access-date=10 October 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930033343/http://www.thenational.scot/culture/hit-comedy-two-doors-down-is-back-after-winning-fans-on-both-sides-of-the-border.15581 |url-status=live }}
From December 2019 to January 2020, Watson played King Hector in the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the King's Theatre, Glasgow{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/scotland/article/BWW-Review-JACK-AND-THE-BEANSTALK-Kings-Theatre-Glasgow-20191207 |title=BWW Review: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, King's Theatre, Glasgow |access-date=18 January 2021 |archive-date=8 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208225853/https://www.broadwayworld.com/scotland/article/BWW-Review-JACK-AND-THE-BEANSTALK-Kings-Theatre-Glasgow-20191207 |url-status=live }} In 2021 he appeared in Doctor Who - Flux as Sontarans 'Commander Riskaw' and 'Skaak'.
=Comedy impressions=
Watson's Wind Up was a political satire show that was aired on BBC Radio Scotland.{{cite news|date=3 October 2009|title=Interview: Face to face with Jonathan Watson and his many wind-ups|work=The Scotsman|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/interview-face-to-face-with-jonathan-watson-and-his-many-wind-ups-1-778205|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011063607/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/interview-face-to-face-with-jonathan-watson-and-his-many-wind-ups-1-778205|archive-date=11 October 2016|access-date=10 October 2016}}{{cite news|last=Beacom|first=Brian|date=19 December 2012|title=Watson thought Beeb call was wind-up|work=Evening Times|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/13245709.Watson_thought_Beeb_call_was_wind_up/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011060936/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/13245709.Watson_thought_Beeb_call_was_wind_up/|archive-date=11 October 2016|access-date=10 October 2016}} The show was recorded on Fridays at the Glasgow Film Theatre.
=''Bob Servant Independent''=
Watson's appeared as Frank (Francis) the campaign manager of local cheeseburger magnate in the cult BBC Four{{cite web|title=BBC 4 Bob Servant website|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wwyrh|access-date=19 February 2013|archive-date=21 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221041846/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wwyrh|url-status=live}} Neil Forsyth comedy Bob Servant Independent.{{cite web|title=Bob Servant - Official Site|url=http://www.bobservant.com/tv.html|access-date=19 February 2013|archive-date=31 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131042150/http://www.bobservant.com/tv.html|url-status=live}} This show was first broadcast in the UK in January/February 2013; with a move planned to BBC2 later in the year.{{cite web|title=BBC Bob Servant Independent Episodes|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wwyrh/episodes/guide|access-date=20 February 2013|archive-date=31 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131084207/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wwyrh/episodes/guide|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Watson is a supporter of Rangers F.C.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/exclusive-only-excuse-star-jonathan-1035567 |title=Exclusive: Only An Excuse star Jonathan Watson on taking the football comedy show on the road |first=Rick |last=Fulton |work=Daily Record (Scotland) |date=2 September 2009 |access-date=9 March 2017 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312053453/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/exclusive-only-excuse-star-jonathan-1035567 |url-status=live }}
Theatre
| class="wikitable plain sortable" | |||||
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Company ! scope="col" | Director | ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Three Sisters | Archie | Tron Theatre, Glasgow | Andy Arnold | adaptation by John Byrne |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=0914732|name=Jonathan Watson}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, Jonathan}}
Category:Scottish male television actors
Category:People educated at Hillhead High School
Category:Comedians from Glasgow
Category:Male actors from Glasgow
Category:Scottish male stage actors
Category:Scottish male film actors