John Walker’s work has made him one of the most prominent producers in British television. As the plan would have made him, he is now one of the most prolific background artists in the UK – topping 2,500 appearances as an extra. He began his lifelong love affair with the medium as a child in Bath. To say that shows like Doctor Who captured his imagination would be an understatement. It ignited his passion. Instead, Walker was met with derision from a school careers adviser who told him to give up his dream of working in television. Undaunted, he continued to pursue his love fiercely.
At 16 years old, Walker made her debut onto a set. He was as hungry as any kid to get inside and see just how that magic television was made. On that initial day, he felt like “a kid in a sweet shop,” overwhelmed with excitement at the opportunity to be part of something he had long admired. In 1998 he jumped at the chance to be an unpaid extra in Auton, a Doctor Who spin-off. Little did this budding musical genius realize that this experience would be the launching pad for a long and fruitful career.
During his decades as an extra, Walker has usually been the kind of character who doesn’t get any lines. This has so far largely been an opportunity for him to record some dialogue on the studio floor. This new challenge certainly punctuated his adventures with even more excitement! Walker’s style is very different—his aesthetic is mid-30s, but in a skinny nonconformist way. This unusual combination has led him to be in high demand for doctor’s roles, for doctors, gentry in period dramas, police officers and journalists.
His prolific television work eventually led him to the big screen. Walker became known for a string of popular leading roles. In Sherlock Holmes 2 he was a suicidal assassin, and in The Woman in Black he was Daniel Radcliffe’s butler. His multilingual versatility and creative dedication have made him a frequent and important presence on many different sets.
Walker has been on stage many times with his wife, Neilum. She is an equally creative and gifted background artist and deserved sharing the spotlight with him. The editorial couple has toured together on hundreds of shows. Their common life on the industry side of the aisle has created a special connection, too. Walker recalls his favorite day of shooting with great affection. Meeting Neilum put a personal face on his work journey.
Walker’s own experiences have tremendously influenced his work. They have encouraged him to write a handful of practical and heartfelt memoirs on life outside the main action. Through his writings, he hopes to shed light on the largely ignored world of background artists. On-air, he’s known for telling colorful and meaningful stories from his career. Perhaps the greatest scene came when a woman approached him in the street, questioning whether he really was the guy who was driving a child’s go-kart in a Pontins commercial.
Perhaps the most important feature of Walker’s long career has been his function as a newsreader. To give himself some space, he invented an alter ego named “Peter Sommers.” In this persona, he greenlit at least 30 films and TV shows. This character has not only become a standard of his identity within the industry, but an example of his range and versatility as an actor.
Two years later, Walker and Neilum brought their daughter, India, to join their family. She wrote a wonderful new chapter to their family story as they juggled their demanding professional lives. Work-life balance might trip up even the most accomplished professional, but Walker is successfully navigating both family life and the high-pressure world of PR.
Walker started his career working as a runner on the set of Doctors. He never stopped working and eventually worked his way up the ladder to become the first assistant director on the set. His journey is a perfect illustration of the hard work and perseverance needed to make it in the cutthroat television and film industry.