ITV Coronation Street star and BAFTA-winning director Paul Seed dies at 78

Olivia Gantzer
Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:53:43 +0000

Coronation Street actor Paul Seed has died at 78 following a battle with cancer.

After leaving the ITV soap, where he was known for playing Father Harris, the actor become one of British television's most distinguished directors.

He died on March 7, as confirmed by an obituary in The Guardian.

After stepping away from acting in the 1980s, Mr Seed carved out a remarkable second career behind the camera, helming acclaimed productions including the BBC political thriller House of Cards and ITV favourites A Touch of Frost and Doc Martin.

His directorial achievements earned him two BAFTA awards during a career that saw him shape some of the most celebrated British dramas of recent decades.

Mr Seed appeared in Coronation Street between 1979 and 1981, taking on the recurring role of the parish priest Father Harris.

During his time on the soap, he performed some of the programme's most memorable ceremonial scenes, including conducting the wedding of Gail, played by Helen Worth, to Brian, portrayed by Christopher Quinten.

The character also baptised the couple's son Nick Tilsley at the fictional St. Boniface Church in Lower Broughton.

It was while working on the BBC police drama Z Cars that Seed met Elizabeth Cassidy, who would become his wife.

Following the completion of the BBC's directors' training programme in the late 1970s, Mr Seed transitioned from performer to filmmaker, quickly establishing himself behind the camera.

His debut television drama, Too Late to Talk to Billy in 1982, provided Kenneth Branagh with his first small-screen role.

The following year, Mr Seed directed a young Liam Neeson in Across the Water, demonstrating an early talent for drawing out powerful performances from actors who would later become international stars.

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His most celebrated directorial work came with the 1990 adaptation of House of Cards, based on Michael Dobbs's novel and scripted by Andrew Davies, along with its sequel To Play the King.

Mr Seed's extensive directing portfolio also encompassed Auf Widersehen, Pet, Lark Rise to Candleford and New Tricks.

Mr Seed's directorial excellence was recognised with two BAFTA awards: Best Single Drama for A Rather English Marriage in 1998, and Best Drama for the 2010 BBC One series Just William, which starred Outnumbered's Daniel Roche in the title role alongside Rebecca Front as his mother.

Before moving behind the camera, his acting credits included appearances in Doctor Who, Pretenders and Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected.

In 1980, he appeared alongside Julie Walters in Victoria Wood's television play Nearly a Happy Ending, set during a salesmen's gathering at a Manchester hotel.

His theatrical work included productions of The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, The Birthday Party and Love's Labour's Lost.

Mr Seed, who was born in Bideford and studied drama at the University of Manchester, is survived by his wife Elizabeth and their sons Jack and Sean.