Who Is DC Price in Emmerdale and Where Have You Seen Actor Dean Smith Before?
Who plays DC Price in Emmerdale? Meet actor Dean Smith, discover his Waterloo Road, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street roles, and his previous Emmerdale appearance.
Dean Smith was still at school when he landed his role in Waterloo Road. Since then, the Leeds-born actor has built a career spanning British soaps, television comedy, theatre and filmmaking, with his latest appearance bringing him back to Emmerdale as DC Price.
His screen work has taken him from school corridors to police investigations, with opportunities to work alongside some of British television’s best-known performers. Away from those established programmes, Dean has also helped create a feature film set in his home city.
From Waterloo Road to television comedy
Dean played Philip Ryan across two series of Waterloo Road before returning for Waterloo Road Reunited, which followed former pupils beyond school. He landed the role while still at school himself, gaining professional acting experience alongside his education.
He later played William in Last Tango in Halifax, joining a cast including Sarah Lancashire and Derek Jacobi. His other television credits include Casualty, Doctors, The Village and The Great Train Robbery.
Comedy brought another memorable opportunity when Dean played Willis in series six of Still Open All Hours. Appearing in a BBC sitcom fulfilled a longstanding ambition, while working with David Jason was particularly special after growing up watching Only Fools and Horses.
His Hollyoaks and Coronation Street roles
Dean played DS Yates in 26 episodes of Hollyoaks between 2018 and 2019. The detective became involved with gangster Liam, accepting a bribe after discovering he was responsible for vodka contaminated with chemicals.
In Coronation Street, Dean appeared as counsellor Andy Wingfield during November and December 2019. Andy supported Paul as he opened up about the childhood sexual abuse he had suffered at the hands of Kel, his mother’s former partner.
His earlier Emmerdale appearance
Before DC Price, Dean played prison officer Ian Beeker in April 2022. Meena flirted with Ian while awaiting trial, persuading him to bring her chocolate and a newspaper covering her crimes.
However, he refused her request to leave a door unlocked to help her escape. DC Price is a separate character, unconnected to Ian.
Creating his own film
Dean co-wrote and starred in the Leeds-set comedy film Sober. The project brought him together with fellow actor Tom Gibbons and director Matthew Cooper, adding feature-film writing to his creative work.
Readers can follow Dean on Instagram and X. Both accounts use the handle @deansmith7.
