Born: 29th October 1935 (as Michael James)
Died: 5th February 2024 (aged 88 years)
Episodes Broadcast: 1986

Michael James was born in West Bridgford, Nottingham; losing both parents by age fourteen, he was raised by his grandparents. Having exhibited an early interest in performance, he had the opportunity to take to the stage during his National Service in West Germany. Nonetheless, after attending the University of Nottingham following his demobilisation, James went to work as an accountant. He continued to act in the evenings, however, and won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Adopting the name “Michael Jayston” for professional purposes, he began his career in repertory theatre in 1961. A small part in a 1962 episode of Suspense marked Jayston's television debut. He married actress Lynn Farleigh in 1965. The same year, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, which led to his prominent involvement in the 1968 movie version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Jayston ended the decade with a key role in the third season of The Power Game.

Major television appearances during the Seventies included Jane Eyre, the title role in Quiller, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Jayston also maintained a presence on the silver screen, starring in 1971's Nicholas And Alexandra (with Fourth Doctor Tom Baker as Rasputin) and 1972's Alice's Adventures In Wonderland. Jayston's first marriage ended in 1970, the same year that he wedded Heather Sneddon. Following their divorce in 1977, Jayston married Ann Smithson in 1978; they would have a daughter, Katherine, and a son, Richard.

In Doctor Who, Jayston played the Valeyard, who may have been a corrupt future version of the Doctor

During the Eighties, Jayston had significant roles in Flesh And Blood and A Bit Of A Do, while also appearing opposite Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor throughout the 1986 season of Doctor Who. Here he played the Valeyard, the sinister prosecutor in The Trial Of A Time Lord, who may have been a corrupt future version of the Doctor. Other television credits during the decade included Big Deal and Ruth Rendell Mysteries. Jayston remained prolific in the Nineties, with a regular role in Outside Edge and appearances in shows like Haggard, Press Gang, The Darling Buds Of May and Only Fools And Horses.... Jayston's latter movie roles included the 1994 fantasy film Highlander III: The Sorcerer.

Soap operas figured prominently in Jayston's resume after the turn of the century, including a year on Emmerdale, although he could also be seen in shows like A Dinner Of Herbs, The Bill and The Royal. From 2003, Jayston would occasionally reprise the Valeyard for Big Finish Productions' range of Doctor Who audio dramas, beginning with He Jests At Scars for the Doctor Who Unbound strand in 2003. During the 2010s, Jayston appeared on programmes such as Holby City, Doctors, Midsomer Murders and Casualty. He passed away on February 5th, 2024 following a short illness.