:EastEnders:

Ross Kemp's longest-running role and the one that made him famous was his portrayal of hardman Grant Mitchell on BBC's "EastEnders" (1990-1999). Grant's storylines were some of the show's most gripping, ranging from 'Sharongate' (one of the most popular episodes EE ever aired) to the stormy marriage and subsequent death of Grant's second wife Tiffany (Martine McCutcheon). Grant's temper was legendary and his affairs disastrous. His air of menace and unpredictability combined with a guarded vulnerability made for an exciting character that an audience could loathe one moment and pity the next.

When Grant Mitchell left Walford in October 1999, it was the end of an era. Having played the role of Grant for nearly a decade, many wondered what Ross Kemp would turn his hand to and whether he could successfully shed a character that had become a national icon.

:Alive in Alaska:

Ross had signed up to ITV in a “golden handcuffs” deal, but he had one last project with the BBC before he went. This was a reality show called “Alive in Alaska” (1999), in which Ross was taken to a remote location in the Alaskan wilderness, given a crash course in survival, and left to fend for himself. He slept little for fear of bears, starved a lot, cut his hand, and had his camp washed out by a rising river more than once. It was a world apart from his London lifestyle and no doubt provided many personal revelations for him.

:Hero of the Hour:

Ross's first project over at ITV was in the one-off drama “Hero of the Hour” (2000), with Ross starring as Richie Liddle, a family-oriented security guard who is desperate to find money for treatment of his daughter’s disfiguring birthmark. When he foils an armed robbery, wounded Richie gives in to temptation and steals the money the crooks left behind. He becomes a national hero thanks to the media, who laud him as an honest and brave man. With a heavy conscience, fear of discovery, and the crooks after him, Richie is ensnared in a triple-edged dilemma and has some difficult decisions to make.

:In Defence:

The year 2000 was a busy one for Ross, with several more projects hitting the screen. These included the 4-part series “In Defence”, in which Ross plays Sam Lucas, a disgraced lawyer who joins the firm to which his ex-girlfriend belongs. Lucas has a hard exterior and seems to have many more enemies than friends, but he’s driven by a conscience haunted by miscarriages of justice.

:Without Motive:

Police drama series “Without Motive” (2000) found Ross playing DC Jack Mowbray (a turn that Grant Mitchell would have despised!). A second series of “Without Motive” aired in 2001.

:A Christmas Carol:

The 2000 holiday season brought us a new twist on “A Christmas Carol”, with a modern-day adaptation of the Dickens classic. Ross, who penned the synopsis, plays cold-hearted Eddie Scrooge, a loan shark on a council estate whose life is changed by the traditional ghostly visits.

:A Line in the Sand:

“A Line in the Sand” (2001; released on video in the US and Australia in 2002) is based on Gerald Seymour's thriller about an agricultural equipment salesman forced by the government into spying on his contacts in Iran in exchange for keeping out of prison. Ross stars as Gavin Hughes, the salesman forced to abandon his identity and family to become 'Frank Perry' after his information leads to the deaths of 24 Iranian weapons scientists. Perry starts an idyllic new life with a woman and her young son on the Suffolk coast. But when his cover is blown, he refuses to abandon his new home and family and is caught up in a deadly struggle against an Iranian assassin bent on revenge. ITV is finally airing "A Line in the Sand" on June 7-8, 2004.

:Ultimate Force:

“Ultimate Force” (2002), an explosive 6-part SAS drama, features Ross fronting an ensemble cast as Sergeant Henno Garvie, the tough but fair leader of Red Troop. Admittedly heavy on violence, the multi-million pound series was produced as realistically as possible with the actors undergoing weapons and survival training under the guidance of real-life SAS veteran Chris Ryan. The complete first series was released on video on June 16, 2003 and can be ordered at Amazon UK on DVD or VHS.

:Ultimate Force 2:

"Ultimate Force 2" (2003) began airing on June 18, 2003 on ITV1. The episodes again featured dramatic stunts and spectacular special effects as the 22nd Regiment faced a new array of deadly enemies and life-threatening missions at home and abroad. Series 2 of "Ultimate Force" has been released on DVD.

:The Taming of the Shrew:

Ross took to the stage in autumn 2003 with a starring role in Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew", a touring production which opened in Plymouth on October 2 and ran through November 22. Ross played Petruchio opposite Nichola McAuliffe as Katherina, in producer Thelma Holt's 60's-flavored take on this most famous battle of the sexes.

:The Crooked Man:

“The Crooked Man” (2003), an ITV drama based on the book by Philip Davison, aired on December 17. Ross plays Harry Fielding, an investigative photographer working for the government with a brief to covertly document the compromising exploits of public figures. Incriminating evidence captured on his camera is used by his unscrupulous boss, Hamilton (Liam Cunningham) to blackmail the very people they are supposed to be protecting. The tables are turned when Fielding and Hamilton themselves become the subject of scrutiny and are plunged into a world of subterfuge, intrigue, blackmail and murder.

:Spartacus:

Ross's first role for American television was in the remake of the epic "Spartacus", playing a slavemaster named Cinna whose cruelty drives Spartacus to revolt. Ross filmed his part in summer 2003 in Bulgaria. The four-hour miniseries, starring Goran Visnjic ("ER") in the title role, originally aired on USA Network on April 18-19, 2004. "Spartacus" was released on DVD on October 26, 2004. You can order it now at Amazon US or Amazon UK.

:Ultimate Force 3:

The long-awaited third series of "Ultimate Force" began airing on January 8, 2005, in a different format of four 90-minute episodes. The final episode did not air, but ITV says it should air some time in spring.

:Coming Up:

Ross will be making an appearance in Ricky Gervais' new BBC sitcom, "Extras". Other stars making cameo appearances include Jude Law and Kate Winslet. The show will film in March 2005 and air in summer.

Ross is also said to be making a documentary for Sky One on street gangs around the world. Ross will travel to Japan, New Zealand, Chicago, and Brazil to speak to gang members and victims. No air date is known at this time.

And for once, the rumours were true - Ross met with Tony Jordan in January to discuss a possible return to "EastEnders". Whether anything will come of this remains to be seen.

:Other Work:

Ross Kemp's first credited television appearance was as Graham Lodsworth in "Emmerdale Farm" (now "Emmerdale") (1986-1987). He has also appeared in "London's Burning", "Birds of a Feather" and "City Central" - playing a transvestite named Dilly Dally in the latter! He has done quite a bit of voice work, including adverts and narration for series like “Paddington Green” and "Body Snatchers". September 2004 saw Ross fronting a documentary called "Lethal Attraction", exploring gun culture in the US. He is working on writing his first series, to be based in his home county of Essex.