Thomas "Tom" Payne (born December 21, 1982 in Chelmsford, Essex) is a British actor. He is known for the role of Paul "Jesus" Rovia in the television series The Walking Dead. Currently he can be seen in the role of Malcolm Bright in the series Prodigal Son.
Payne grew up in Bath, Somerset, in western England. He trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005. During his training, he gained his first experience in plays such as Class Enemy, The Balcony, The Rivals, Three Sisters, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III, and The Man Who Had All the Luck.
After graduating, he landed his first leading role in London's West End production of Journey's End. He appeared alongside Imogen Stubbs in Maria Aberg's production of Shrieks of Laughter at the Soho Theatre.
After his first television roles in series such as Skins - Hautnah or Casualty, in 2007 he obtained the role of Brett Aspinall in two seasons of the series Waterloo Road.
In 2008, he made his feature film debut alongside Frances McDormand and Amy Adams in Miss Pettigrew's Big Day. From 2011 to 2012, he appeared in the television series Luck as Leon Micheaux. In 2013, Payne took his first leading role in The Medicus, the film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Noah Gordon.
His brother Will Payne is also active as an actor.
The Physician II
Rob Cole
2025

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
2024

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1
Hugh Proctor
2024

Imaginary
Max
2024

Law & Order: Organized Crime
Julian Emery / Redcoat · (5 episodes)
2021

Prodigal Son
Malcolm Bright · (33 episodes)
2019

IO
Elon
2019

It's No Game
East
2017

MindGamers
Jaxon
2015

Fear the Walking Dead
Paul 'Jesus' Rovia · (1 episode)
2015

Winter
Tom
2015

New Worlds
Monmouth · (4 episodes)
2014

The Physician
Rob Cole
2013

Cal
Jason
2013

Inheritance
Matthew
2012

My Funny Valentine
Zander
2012

Luck
Leon Micheaux · (9 episodes)
2012

Talking Dead
Self · (1 episode)
2011

Talking Dead
(1 episode)
2011

The Task
Stanton
2011

The Walking Dead
Jesus Rovia · (32 episodes)
2010

Svenska Hollywoodfruar
Himself · (3 episodes)
2009

Wuthering Heights
Linton Heathcliff · (2 episodes)
2009

Best: His Mother's Son
George Best
2009
When Saturday Came
Self - Narrator (voice)
2009

Beautiful People
Mr. Carr · (1 episode)
2008

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Phil Goldman
2008
Miss Marie Lloyd: Queen of the Music Hall
Bernard Dillon
2007

Skins
Spencer · (1 episode)
2007

Rachael Ray
(1 episode)
2006

Waterloo Road
(1 episode)
2006

Waterloo Road
Brett Aspinal · (12 episodes)
2006

This Morning
Self · (1 episode)
1988