# Dylan Neal

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Canadian actor (born 1969)

Dylan Neal Born Dylan Jeremy Neal (1969-10-08) October 8, 1969 (age 56) Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada Occupation Actor Years active 1987–present Spouse Becky Southwell (m. 1996) Children 2

**Dylan Jeremy Neal** (born October 8, 1969[1]) is a Canadian actor. He is known for his portrayal of the character Dylan Shaw on the [soap opera](/source/Soap_opera) *[The Bold and the Beautiful](/source/The_Bold_and_the_Beautiful)*, [Doug Witter](/source/Doug_Witter) on *[Dawson's Creek](/source/Dawson's_Creek)*, and Detective Mike Celluci in the supernatural series *[Blood Ties](/source/Blood_Ties_(TV_series))*. He also played Aaron Jacobs on *[Sabrina, the Teenage Witch](/source/Sabrina_the_Teenage_Witch_(1996_TV_series))*.

In 2013, Neal landed the lead role opposite [Andie MacDowell](/source/Andie_MacDowell) in the [Hallmark Channel](/source/Hallmark_Channel)'s first scripted TV series, *[Cedar Cove](/source/Cedar_Cove_(TV_series))*.[2][3][4] The series premiered on July 20, 2013, and is based on the [series of books by the same name](/source/Debbie_Macomber_bibliography#Cedar_Cove_series), written by [Debbie Macomber](/source/Debbie_Macomber). In 2014, he sold a TV movie franchise to the newly rebranded Hallmark Movies and Mystery Channel and began writing, executive producing and starring as Henry Ross in Hallmark's original mystery series *[Gourmet Detective](/source/Gourmet_Detective)*.[5][6] Since 2018, Dylan has written, produced and starred in many Hallmark films.

## Personal life

Dylan Neal was born in [Richmond Hill, Ontario](/source/Richmond_Hill%2C_Ontario), in 1969. Four months after his birth, his family moved to [Oakville, Ontario](/source/Oakville%2C_Ontario). He attended [Appleby College](/source/Appleby_College) in [Oakville](/source/Oakville%2C_Ontario) and initially wanted to become a professional [squash](/source/Squash_(sport)) player.[7]

Neal transferred to T. A. Blakelock High School in [Oakville](/source/Oakville%2C_Ontario) for his last two years of schooling. It was there that he gained an interest in the performing arts and participated in his school's drama program. On the advice of his drama teacher, Neal decided he wanted to make a career of acting.[7]

Before becoming an actor, Neal was a [caterer](/source/Caterer) and delivered lunch baskets to private businesses in industrial areas around Toronto.[8] He also delivered pizzas for a living before making it as an actor.[1][8] He has been passionate about furniture making.[9]

Neal is married to TV writer and producer Becky Southwell who has co-written some of the *[Gourmet Detective](/source/Gourmet_Detective)* films with him. They were married on 21 September 1996 and have two children together.[10][11]

## Career

Neal has said that after finishing his work on *[The Bold and the Beautiful](/source/The_Bold_and_the_Beautiful)*, he was initially concerned about his ability to find another acting job. "There are certain expectations--or a certain lack of expectations--of soap opera actors," he said.[8]

From 1998 to 2003, he portrayed [Doug Witter](/source/Doug_Witter), a small-town police officer, in the [WB](/source/The_WB) television drama *[Dawson's Creek](/source/Dawson's_Creek)*. In the final season of the series, his character was revealed to be homosexual.[12]

In 2000, Neal played a secret agent opposite [Chuck Norris](/source/Chuck_Norris) in the television film *[The President's Man](/source/The_President's_Man).*[13] It premiered on April 2 on [CBS](/source/CBS).[14]

In 2007, Neal played Detective Mike Celluci in [Lifetime](/source/Lifetime_(TV_network))'s [Canadian](/source/Television_in_Canada) [vampire](/source/Vampire) fantasy show *[Blood Ties](/source/Blood_Ties_(TV_series))*, in which he starred alongside [Christina Cox](/source/Christina_Cox) and [Kyle Schmid](/source/Kyle_Schmid). The producers of the show ultimately chose Neal, Cox, and Schmid as the three leads of the show over other auditioning actors after observing the natural chemistry among the trio.[15] Neal later commented that fans often compliment the three actors for their charming on-screen chemistry and camaraderie.[15]

Neal played the male lead opposite [Andie MacDowell](/source/Andie_MacDowell) in the television series *[Cedar Cove](/source/Cedar_Cove_(TV_series))* for the [Hallmark Channel](/source/Hallmark_Channel). Neal played Jack Griffith, a Philadelphia reporter. He played Bob Adams, stepfather to the main character Anastasia Steele ([Dakota Johnson](/source/Dakota_Johnson)), in the film adaptation *[Fifty Shades of Grey](/source/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey_(film))* (2015).[16]

Neal and his wife, Becky Southwell, write and produce their own projects through Southwell Neal Entertainment. They write and executive produce the *[Gourmet Detective](/source/Gourmet_Detective)* original films for [Hallmark Movies & Mysteries](/source/Hallmark_Movies_%26_Mysteries), based on the novels by Peter King. As of February 2020, Neal has made five television movies based on the character.[17][18]

## Filmography

### Films

Year Title Role Notes 1993 I'll Never Get to Heaven Carl 1997 Taylor's Return Robert 2001 XCU: Extreme Close Up Lew Constant 2002 40 Days and 40 Nights David Landspeed Young Brian Sanger 2005 Locusts Dan Dryer Main role Mute James Short film Extreme Dating Sean 2010 Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Hermes The Traveler Detective Alexander Black My Family's Secret Jason Darcie 2015 Fifty Shades of Grey Bob Adams 2017 Fifty Shades Darker Unrated Edition 2018 Fifty Shades Freed BOULEVARD Hayden Glass short film

### Television

Year Title Role Notes 1988 Learning the Ropes Student Hunk Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future Jon Power 2 episodes Summer Storm TV miniseries 1989 War of the Worlds Scavenger 1 My Secret Identity Sean Casey 1990 E.N.G. Kevin Wilkes Prom Night III: The Last Kiss Andrew Douglas video Maniac Mansion Bo Riddley 1991 Top Cops Robert Schaller/Ricky Grim/Corky 1992 Catwalk 1993 Sweating Bullets River Rhodes Class of '96 Phillip Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Jim Reardon 1996 Golden Will: The Silken Laumann Story John Wallace TV movie 1994–96 The Bold and the Beautiful Dylan Shaw 119 episodes 1997 Moloney Life with Roger Collin, the Exterminator Pacific Palisades Cory Robbins 7 episodes 1998 Profiler Philip Nichols Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show Roger Persimmons Working Royce You Wish Ken 1998–1999 Hyperion Bay Nick Sweeny 17 episodes 1998–2003 Dawson's Creek Doug Witter 20 episodes 1999 JAG Lt. Dalton "Boomer" Jonas 3 episodes It's Like, You Know... Kevin 2000 The President's Man Sgt. Deke Slater TV movie 2001 Thieves Drew 2002 Flatland David White Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers David Martell TV movie Relic Hunter Zack She Spies Dr. Ellison 2003 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Aaron Jacobs 10 episodes I'm with Her John 2004 LAX Harley's Date Kevin Hill Trevor Mallard 2005 Chupacabra Terror Lance Thompson video CSI: Miami Patrick Hale Vampire Bats Dan Dryer TV movie 2006 The War at Home Dr. Jonathan Vogel Cradle of Lies Jack Collins TV movie The Jake Effect Robert 2 episodes 2007 No Brother of Mine Stuart St. Clair TV movie Matters of Life and Dating Guy DeMayo 2007–08 Blood Ties Detective Mike Celluci Main role, 22 episodes 2008 Psych Jann Stargate Atlantis Dave Sheppard 2009 The L Word Caleb Cooper 2 episodes Wild Roses Dillon Parker 8 episodes Storm Seekers Ryan Stewart TV movie 2009 & 2017 Murdoch Mysteries Sergeant Jasper Linney 2 episodes 2009–10 Smallville Ray Sacks 2010 Human Target Wes Gibson Life Unexpected Bruce Jackson 2011 He Loves Me Nick TV movie CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Mr. Culver Another Man's Wife Brian Warner TV movie Ice Road Terror Neil Conroy Rizzoli & Isles Dr. Hanson/Russell Dempsey A Trusted Man Tom TV movie Haven Hugh Underwood Flashpoint Cpt. Simon Griggs 2012 90210 William Paddington Bones Lt. Col. Ben Fordham Season 8 Episode 6 2012 Ringer Washburn Milter Season 1 episode 21 2013–2015 Cedar Cove Jack Griffith Main role; Hallmark Channel series 2013 Bones Ben Fordham 2013–2014 Arrow Professor Ivo 7 episodes 2014 A Wife's Nightmare Gabe Lifetime TV movie 2015–2017; 2020 Gourmet Detective film series Henry Ross Also writer and executive producer; Hallmark movies 2016 Looks Like Christmas Terry Evans Hallmark movie 2018 Truly, Madly, Sweetly Eric 2020 Christmas She Wrote Tripp 2021 9-1-1 Dr. Sampson 1 episode 2023 Ride Daniel Booker 4 episodes

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Catching_up..._1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Catching_up..._1-1) "Catching up with....Dylan Neal". *Soap Opera Digest*. July 22, 2013. p. 73.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Dylan Neal Joins Cast of Hallmark Channel's Original Movie CEDAR COVE"](https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Dylan-Neal-Joins-Cast-of-Hallmark-Channels-Original-Movie-CEDAR-COVE-20120612). Broadway World. 12 June 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Home & Family - Actor Dylan Neal talks about his on-screen Romance with Andie MacDowell"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twnvZf7WOjg). *Hallmark Channel's Youtube Channel*. 4 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The People of Cedar Cove - Dylan Neal as Jack"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT9yMeO3ep0). *Hallmark Channel's Youtube Channel*. 1 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["'B&B' Alum Dylan Neal Writes And Stars In Hallmark's 'Gourmet Detective'"](https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2015/01/bb-alum-dylan-neal-writes-stars-hallmarks-gourmet-detective). *Soap Opera Network*. 13 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Dylan Neal stars in 'Gourmet Detective' on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries"](http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/television/dylan-neal-stars-in-gourmet-detective-on-hallmark-movies-mysteries/article_961d12e2-12f4-54ad-b3c4-5e40086ab7e7.html). *Herald Extra*. 16 May 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_Central_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_Central_7-1) ["Dylan Neal Biography"](http://www.dylannealcentral.com/1biog.shtml). Retrieved 2 May 2012.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_at_RingCon_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_at_RingCon_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_at_RingCon_8-2) ["Dylan Neal at RingCon"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpDNfxwcl0k). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. Retrieved 2 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["'Cedar Cove' Star Dylan Neal Is Passionate About Furniture Making"](https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/furniture/%E2%80%9Ccedar-cove%E2%80%9D-actor-dylan-neal-passionate-about-furniture-making). *Woodworking Network*. 15 September 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Big Picture: Dylan Neal in high gear"](http://www.timescolonist.com/big-picture-dylan-neal-in-high-gear-1.2217151). *Times Colonist*. 24 March 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["50 Shades of Grey star Dylan Neal opens up about his married life, wife Becky Southwell, and family"](http://frostsnow.com/50-shades-of-grey-star-dylan-neal-opens-up-about-his-married-life-wife-becky-southwell-and-family). *frostnow.com*. Retrieved 11 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Shaw, Gabbi (November 4, 2020). ["WHERE ARE THEY NOW: The cast of 'Dawson's Creek' 22 years later"](https://www.insider.com/dawsons-creek-20-year-anniversary-2017-12). *[Insider](/source/Insider_Inc.)*. [Axel Springer](/source/Axel_Springer_SE). Retrieved January 27, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Preece, Michael; Norris, Eric; Donner, Richard; Meyer, Gerald (2013). *5 Film Chuck Norris Collection* (DVD). Echo Bridge Acquisition Corp LLC. Event occurs at *[The President's Man](/source/The_President's_Man)*. 09600922143.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** "Sunday Night". *Herald and Review*. April 1, 2000. p. Tv-7.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_and_Kyle_Schmid_at_Fan_Convention_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dylan_Neal_and_Kyle_Schmid_at_Fan_Convention_15-1) ["Dylan Neal and Kyle Schmid at Fan Convention"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e77hY6zXk-4). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. Retrieved 3 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["On the Cover: Dylan Neal talks about starring in Fifty Shades of Grey and his Richmond Hill roots"](http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Do/July-2014/On-the-Cover-Dylan-Neal-talks-about-starring-in-Fifty-Shades-of-Grey-and-his-Richmond-Hill-roots/). Post City Toronto. 29 July 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Gourmet Detective Movies"](https://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/gourmet-detective-movies). *Hallmark Movies & Mysteries*. Retrieved 1 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["DYLAN NEAL"](http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/looks-like-christmas/cast/dylan-neal). *Hallmark Channel*. Retrieved 11 January 2018.

## External links

- [Dylan Neal](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0623604/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [TV tome page](https://web.archive.org/web/20041009195244/http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-1685)

- [Dylan Neal Acting Studio](http://www.dylannealstudio.com/)

- [Dylan Neal](https://x.com/DylanNealStudio) on [X](/source/X_(social_network))

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States Poland Other IdRef

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dylan Neal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Neal) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_Neal?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.