# Nathaniel Dass

Nathaniel Dass is a British actor, singer and musician. Dass played the main role of Nathaniel/Nate in the CBBC musical dramedy television series Almost Never, which ran for three seasons between 2019 and 2021. Since 2023, Dass has portrayed Dillon Ray in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, for which he was nominated for "Best Partnership" at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards.

## Life and career

Dass is from Birmingham. He attended King Edward VI Five Ways School, where he gained 10 GCSE subjects at grade A* and A in 2018. In 2016, Dass appeared as a singer in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2018, it was announced that Dass had been cast as the lead role of Nathaniel/Nate in CBBC's new musical dramedy television series Almost Never. The show revolves around teengaers trying to make it in the music industry after appearing fictional music competition series. Nate was characterised by the BBC as being the lead singer of the show's fictional boyband The Wonderland and being a "a natural leader" who is enthusiastic about music and "has a way of bringing out the best in those around him", though they added that Nate has the "usual teenage insecurities" and worries about his band's success and his own abilities. Dass performed in several songs that were performed on the show. In 2019, Dass appeared on CBBC's morning children's magazine entertainment programme Saturday Mash-Up!. The first two series of Almost Never originally aired in 2019. In April 2019, Dass gave his condolences following the death of his Almost Never co-star, Mya-Lecia Naylor. In 2021, Dass appeared on Blue Peter. That same year, he starred in the third series of Almost Never.
In April 2023, it was announced that Dass had been cast as 15-year-old Dillon Ray on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. He was introduced as the nephew of established character Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi), who takes him in when he is kicked out from his mother's home. Virdi explained that she had screen tested with several actors whilst casting Dillon and she felt that Dass had the "right energy", and has revealed that they get on well, calling him "funny, kind, really handsome and such a sweetheart". Hollyoaks executive producer Lucy Allan had previously announced Dillon's introduction in January 2023, describing him as a "very different character" that would be impacting the Maalik family and the Hollyoaks teenage group. Dillon was characterised as having a "trendy fashion sense" and being more sensitive than he lets on. Speaking about joining the soap, Dass revealed, "I'm so happy to have been welcomed into the Hollyoaks family. Everyone here is amazing and I've had the best time so far, especially with my new family, the Maaliks. I'm super excited for people to see what's in store for my character Dillon. He's got a lot about him so it's going to be fun seeing what kind of trouble he gets into, who he'll become friends with and if there's maybe a few potential romances, you'll have to see". Dass' debut as Dillon aired on 20 April of that year.
Dillon's storylines have included becoming friends with other teenagers in the village, coming out to his mother, being involved in long-running conversion therapy storyline with Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis), and beginning a romantic relationship with Lucas. Lucas and Dillon's relationship gained a fan following. Curtis praised his working relationship with Dass, explaining, "Our off-screen chemistry reflects on-screen as we get on so well, I honestly couldn't do [my job] without him". For their roles as Dillon and Lucas, Dass and Curtis were longlisted for "Best Partnership" at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards.
Dass continues to sing and write music and is in a band, No Romance, with fellow Almost Never cast member Oakley Orchard. Dass appeared on Saturday Mash-Up! again with his Hollyoaks co-star Haiesha Mistry. In July 2024, it was confirmed that Dass was dating his Hollyoaks co-star Ruby O'Donnell.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2019, 2021 | Almost Never | Nathaniel/Nate | Main role | |
| 2023– | Hollyoaks | Dillon Ray | Regular role | |