# Ross McLaren (actor)

Ross McLaren (born 24 October 1991) is an English actor. McLaren began his career performing in various stage productions, including Big the Musical and Guys and Dolls. Then in 2021, he was cast in the role of Luca McIntyre on the BBC soap opera Doctors. For his role as Luca, he was nominated at award ceremonies including the National Television Awards, the RTS Midlands Awards and the British Soap Awards. In 2022, McLaren took a break from the soap to appear in a touring production of Singin' in the Rain, returning afterwards.

## Life and career

McLaren was born on 24 October 1991 in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. McLaren studied at the Joyce Mason School of Dance, as well as the Millennium Theatre Arts School. After graduating, he appeared in 42nd Street at the Curve in Leicester. He then appeared in a touring production of Annie through New Zealand, and starred in a production of Singin' in the Rain at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, in the role of Sid Phillips. McLaren is married to fellow actress Hannah McIver, whom he met in a stage production of It Happened in Key West in 2018. That same year, McLaren co-founded head shot photography company Yellowbelly.
In February 2021, it was announced that he had joined the regular cast of the BBC daytime soap opera Doctors as nurse Luca McIntyre. His debut appearance aired on 24 February 2021. For his portrayal of the role, he was longlisted for the Newcomer award at the 26th National Television Awards, as well as being nominated for the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer. In 2022, he starred in a touring production of Singin' in the Rain, this time in the role of Cosmo Brown. He took a break from his role in Doctors to appear in the tour, with his management confirming that he would reprise his role as Luca following the completion of the tour. He returned to Doctors and appeared continuously until November 2024, when the series ended.

## Stage

| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
| Un­known | Peter Pan | Ensemble | Evolution |
| Un­known | H.M.S. Pinafore | Ensemble | Dayle James Productions |
| 2011–2012 | 42nd Street | Ensemble | Curve, London Palladium |
| 2013 | Eat, Pray, Laugh! | Ensemble | London Palladium, UK tour |
| 2014 | White Christmas | Ensemble | Dominion Theatre |
| 2014 | Annie | Bert Healy | New Zealand tour |
| 2015 | Fiddler on the Roof | Ensemble | Royal Albert Hall |
| 2016 | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Ensemble | Kilworth House |
| 2017 | The Wiper's Times | Smith | Arts Theatre |
| 2017 | Singin' in the Rain | Sid Phillips | Théâtre du Châtelet |
| 2017 | Top Hat | Jerry Travers | Kilworth House |
| 2017 | Elf | Chadwick | Lowry Theatre |
| 2018 | Kiss Me, Kate | Gremio | Opera North |
| 2018 | It Happened in Key West | Tom Ridgemore | Charing Cross Theatre |
| 2019 | Guys and Dolls | Harry | Theatre Marigny |
| 2019 | Big the Musical | Nick | New Theatre Royal Lincoln |
| 2020 | Sleepless: A Musical Romance | Greg | Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre |
| 2022 | Singin' in the Rain | Cosmo Brown | Worldwide tour |

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2014 | Muppets Most Wanted | Theodore | Film |
| 2014 | There's Something in the Pilliga | Guitar Man | Film |
| 2014 | Penny Dreadful | Charles Deacon | 1 episode |
| 2021–2024 | Doctors | Luca McIntyre | Series regular |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2021 | National Television Awards | Newcomer | Doctors | Longlisted |
| 2021 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Daytime Star | Doctors | Nominated |
| 2021 | RTS Midlands Awards | Breakthrough (on screen) | Doctors | Nominated |
| 2022 | British Soap Awards | Best Newcomer | Doctors | Nominated |