Maxwell Nathaniel J Brown (born 7 February 1992), known professionally as Max Parker, is an English actor. He is known for portraying the roles of Alasdair "Base" Newman in the BBC medical drama Casualty (2018–2019), Luke Posner in the ITV opera Emmerdale (2019–2021) and Mikhail Tanner in the Peacock fantasy horror series Vampire Academy (2022).

Max Parker
Born
Maxwell Nathaniel J Brown

(1992-02-07) 7 February 1992 (age 32)
Bolton, Manchester, England
EducationArts Educational Schools
OccupationActor
Years active2013–present
TelevisionCasualty
Emmerdale
Vampire Academy
Partner(s)Kris Mochrie (2020–present; engaged)

Life and career edit

Parker was born Maxwell Nathaniel J Brown was born on 7 February 1992 in Bolton, Greater Manchester.[1][2] He studied at Pendleton College of Performing Arts, graduating in 2009 before studying at Arts Educational Schools in London, which he graduated from in 2013.[3] Parker is openly gay after coming out during an interview with Attitude magazine in December 2020, in which he confirmed he was in a relationship with Emmerdale co-star Kris Mochrie, who portrayed his on-screen brother.[1][4][5] They announced their engagement in January 2022.[6][7]

Parker made his stage debut as part of the ensemble cast of Barnum.[8] In 2014, he appeared in the musical I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical and began appearing in Matilda the Musical until 2015.[9][10] In 2016, Parker appeared as Paul in Kiss Me, Kate, and starred as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.[11][12] The same year, he made his film debut as Christopher Morgan in My B.F.F.[13]

In August 2018, Parker began appearing in the BBC One medical drama Casualty as Alasdair "Base" Newman on a recurring basis. He made his final appearance in January 2019 when his character died of a heroin overdose.[14] He then appeared as Danny in an episode of World on Fire.[13] In August 2019, Parker joined the cast of the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Luke Posner, the son and brother of established characters Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) and Lee Posner (Kris Mochrie).[15][16] He had originally auditioned for the role of Jamie Tate, which ultimately went to Alexander Lincoln.[17] He made his departure from the soap in June 2021.[18]

In 2020, Parker appeared in an episode of COBRA as John Cripps and played Alex in the film Love Sarah.[13] In 2022, he starred as Mikhail Tanner in the Peacock fantasy horror series Vampire Academy and portrayed Henry Tudor in Blood, Sex & Royalty.[19][20][21][22] In 2024, Parker is set to appear in the Netflix series The Corps.[23]

Filmography edit

Key
Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016 My B.F.F. Christopher Morgan Film [13]
2018–2019 Casualty Alasdair "Base" Newman Recurring role [14]
2019–2021 Emmerdale Luke Posner Regular role [18]
2019 World on Fire Danny 1 episode [13]
2020 COBRA John Cripps 1 episode [13]
2020 Love Sarah Alex Film [13]
2022 Vampire Academy Mikhail Tanner Main role [19]
2022 Blood, Sex & Royalty Henry Tudor Episode: "Boleyns For The Win" [20]
2024 Strictly Confidential Will Film [24]
2024 The Corps Sgt. Sullivan Post-production [23]

Stage edit

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2013 Barnum Amos Scudder / Edgar Templeton Chichester Festival Theatre [8]
2014–2015 Matilda the Musical Rudolpho Cambridge Theatre [10]
2016 Guys and Dolls Sky Masterson Savoy Theatre [12]
2016 Kiss Me, Kate Paul Welsh National Opera [11]
2018 The Wizard of Oz Tin Man Sheffield Crucible Theatre [25]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Max Parker: 'People come out in different stages… I feel comfortable now knowing that I am gay'". Attitude. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ^ Parker, Max. "F E E L I N G - 2 7". Instagram. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Welcome to Max Parker who is our new faculty member for Musical Theatre!". Tap Dance Festival. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Emmerdale star Max Parker opens up over sexuality and relationship with Kris Mochrie". Digital Spy. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Soap Star Max Parker Confirms He's Gay And Living With Kris Mochrie". Out. 23 December 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Emmerdale stars Max Parker and Kris Mochrie confirm engagement". Digital Spy. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Emmerdale stars Max Parker and Kris Mochrie confirm engagement: "I love him beyond words"". Gay Times. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Barnum cast announced". Cameron Mackintosh. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Full cast of I Can't Sing announced". Pocket Size Theatre. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Casting update for September 2014 – Matilda the Musical". Matilda the Musical. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Review of Kiss Me, Kate at the Liverpool Empire". Liverpool Echo. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Guy's and Doll's announce full casting". West End Theatre. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Things You Probably Didn't Know About 'Vampire Academy's Max Parker". Instinct. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Here's where Emmerdale fans may have recognised the stranger in Victoria Sugden's hospital scenes". Digital Spy. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Emmerdale star Max Parker reveals fans will see another side of Luke Posner". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Emmerdale confirmed to explore sexuality of Max Parker's character". Gay Times. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Emmerdale's Max Parker nearly played a very different role…". Radio Times. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Emmerdale airs Luke Posner's exit as he heads out of the village". Digital Spy. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Emmerdale star Max Parker rumoured to have landed Hollywood role after show exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  20. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: Blood, Sex and Royalty's Max Parker shares big difference between show and The Crown – and teases playing Prince Harry". Hello. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Blood, Sex and Royalty cast: Meet the stars of Netflix history series". Radio Times. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Blood, Sex & Royalty review – a terrific peek at Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn's sexiest bits". The Guardian. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Emmerdale's Max Parker lands new Netflix role after leaving the soap". Digital Spy. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Former Emmerdale star Max Parker confirmed for new role". Yahoo News. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  25. ^ "The Wizard of Oz review – follow this yellow brick road". The Guardian. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

External links edit