Renowned Actor Jack Shepherd Passes Away at 85
The entertainment world mourns the loss of Jack Shepherd, the versatile actor who captivated television audiences as Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe in the popular ITV series. Shepherd died on November 24, 2025, at the age of 85, leaving behind a remarkable legacy spanning six decades in theatre, television and writing.
A Renaissance Man of British Arts
Shepherd embodied what many described as a Renaissance man of the arts. Beyond his acting prowess, he demonstrated extraordinary versatility as a playwright, director, oil painter, jazz pianist and saxophone player. His career reflected what colleagues called pathological creative energy, evident in his dozens of credits across multiple artistic disciplines.
Born in Leeds on October 29, 1940, Shepherd was the only child of Thomas Shepherd, a cabinetmaker, and Violet, an infant school teacher. His educational journey took him through Roundhay School in Leeds and King's College, Newcastle, where he initially studied fine arts before discovering his true calling in acting.
Television Breakthroughs and Political Drama
Shepherd's television career gained significant momentum in the 1970s through collaborations with playwright Trevor Griffiths. His performance in Through the Night (1975), a harrowing hospital drama about breast cancer treatment starring Alison Steadman, sparked national conversation about medical practices.
This was followed by his portrayal of the title character in Bill Brand (1976), an eleven-episode series about a radical Labour MP navigating left-wing factionalism. The series featured Arthur Lowe as a prime minister reminiscent of Harold Wilson, establishing Shepherd as a compelling presence in politically charged drama.
Wycliffe and National Theatre Triumphs
Shepherd achieved his greatest public recognition through Wycliffe (1993-98), the Cornwall-based ITV detective series where he played DS Charles Wycliffe across five series and two specials. The show was celebrated for its picturesque Cornish scenery and authentic storylines covering everything from violent crime to the fishing industry and new age travellers.
At the National Theatre, Shepherd became a linchpin of Bill Bryden's company during the Peter Hall era. His stage highlights included:
- The world premiere of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross (1983), earning him a best actor Olivier Award
- Tony Harrison's Mystery Plays trilogy (1977-85), where he portrayed Lucifer, Judas and Satan
- David Hare's Teeth 'n' Smiles (1974) opposite Helen Mirren
Shepherd's Royal Court debut in 1966 began an extensive relationship with the venue, where he appeared in productions including John Arden's Serjeant Musgrave's Dance and Arnold Wesker's Their Very Own and Golden City alongside Ian McKellen.
Playwriting and Later Career
Beyond acting, Shepherd wrote a dozen plays, demonstrating his literary talent. His works included In Lambeth (1989) at the Donmar Warehouse, featuring imagined conversations between William Blake and Thomas Paine, and Holding Fire! (2007) at Shakespeare's Globe, exploring the Chartist movement.
In later years, he divided his time between London and East Sussex with his second wife, television producer Ann Scott. There he produced community stagings of Dorian Gray and Thomas Hardy's Under the Greenwood Tree, maintaining his connection to grassroots theatre.
Shepherd is survived by his wife Ann, five children - Jan and Jake from his first marriage to Judith Harland, and twins Victoria and Catherine plus Ben from his second marriage - and four grandchildren: Kit, Nora, Rose and Esme.
His legacy endures through decades of memorable performances that combined low-key naturalism with intense concentration, creating characters that felt authentically human across stage and screen.
