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Michael Praed (born Michael David Prince on 1 April 1960 in Berkeley, Gloucestershire) is a British actor and narrator best known for his 1980s television breakthrough as Robin of Loxley in Robin of Sherwood. After adopting the stage name Praed he established a profile across television and stage, combining leading roles in drama and musicals with regular work as a voice narrator. In the mid‑1980s he crossed into American primetime with a recurring part on Dynasty, and later led the TV adventure series The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne. Praed has sustained a mixed career of screen guest roles, stage musicals and tours, and narration for documentary television, notably as a regular narrator on BBC history programmes. He remains active on television and in national theatre tours.

... Born Michael David Prince and educated at Eastbourne College, Michael Praed took his professional surname from a telephone directory early in his career and trained as an actor before becoming widely known on British television. His portrayal of Robin of Loxley in the cult series Robin of Sherwood (mid‑1980s) made him a recognizable presence internationally and led to further screen opportunities, including the role of Prince Michael of Moldavia on the US soap Dynasty. Praed has balanced screen work with extensive stage credits in musicals and plays – from large‑scale West End musicals to UK touring productions – and developed a parallel career as a narrator for television documentaries and audiobooks. In the 2010s he returned to long‑running television drama with a prominent role in the ITV soap Emmerdale, and continues to appear in guest roles, tours and voice projects. His career is characterised by a steady mix of genre television, stage musical leads and documentary narration. Then & Now The 1980s In the 1980s Michael Praed rose to prominence after adopting his stage name and winning widespread recognition as Robin of Loxley in the cult series Robin of Sherwood, a role that made him an internationally recognizable presence. The breakthrough led to further high‑profile television work and stage opportunities, and in the mid‑1980s he crossed into American primetime with a recurring role as Prince Michael of Moldavia on Dynasty. By the decade’s end he had established a reputation for combining leading dramatic and musical roles with an emerging parallel career as a voice narrator. Now (2026) As of 2026 Praed remains active on screen and stage, balancing guest television appearances with leading roles in West End and UK touring musicals and plays. He continues to work regularly as a narrator on documentary television, notably for BBC history programmes, sustaining the voice work that has run alongside his acting career. His legacy rests on the enduring cult status of Robin of Sherwood and a long, varied career spanning transatlantic television, national theatre tours and documentary narration. Career timeline 1960 Born Michael David Prince on 1 April in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England. 1982–1983 Appeared as Frederick in the Joseph Papp production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. 1984–1986 Starred as Robin of Loxley in the television series Robin of Sherwood, the role that brought him international attention. 1985–1986 Played Prince Michael of Moldavia in the American primetime soap Dynasty. 1991 Featured in West End and touring musical productions including roles in Aspects of Love and other stage work. 1994 Co‑starred in the film Staggered and continued film and television guest appearances through the 1990s. 1999–2000 Played Phileas Fogg in the TV adventure series The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne. 2003–2009 Established himself as a regular narrator for BBC history/documentary programming, including work on the Timewatch strand. 2009–2011 Appeared as Captain von Trapp in a national UK tour of The Sound of Music. 2016–2019 Joined the ITV soap Emmerdale in the role of Frank Clayton. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Wikipedia - Michael Praed Public biography and credit reference.Michael Praed official website Public biography and credit reference.Robin of Sherwood – Spirit of Sherwood Biographical and credit details were checked against Wikipedia - Michael Praed, Michael Praed official website, Robin of Sherwood – Spirit of Sherwood.