Jonathan was born and raised in Corner Brook, a pulp and paper town located on the west coast of Newfoundland, where he was one of three sons to parents Barbara Ledwell and Wayne Watton, both teachers who had a profound impact on his life.
His father, a film enthusiast, introduced him to the world of cinema at a very young age by screening 16 mm prints from the National Film Board of Canada in their living room for his brothers and the neighborhood kids. This early exposure to film sparked a passion within Jonathan that would eventually lead him to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
His mother, recognizing his interest in the performing arts, enrolled him in a local theatre program, where he began to hone his acting skills. It was during this time that he discovered his true calling and made the decision to dedicate himself to a life on stage and screen.
After graduating from Memorial University's Fine Arts Theatre Program, Jonathan was cast by renowned theatre director Michael Langham in his first professional stage appearance as a founding member of the Atlantic Theatre Festival.
Throughout his 20-year career, Jonathan has established himself as a talented and versatile actor, with a wide range of credits in both television and film. His latest television work includes seasons on CBC's Murdoch Mysteries, HBO Canada's Good God, and guest appearances on Reign, Private Eyes, Lost Girl, and Taken.
In 2019, he will be playing the role of Commander Mathew Calhoun in the third season of Hulu's critically acclaimed series The Handmaid's Tale.
In addition to his television work, Jonathan has also had a successful career in film, with recent projects including The XX, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Closet Monster, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Maps to the Stars, directed by David Cronenberg and starring Julianne Moore.
He has also appeared in the upcoming film Spinster, opposite Chelsea Peretti.
As a theatre actor, Jonathan has had the privilege of working with some of Canada's most esteemed acting ensembles, including The Shaw Festival and Soulpepper Theatre Company. In 2018, he returned to the stage in the lead role of the critically acclaimed production of North by Northwest, which premiered in both the UK and North America.
Jonathan is also a talented filmmaker, having recently graduated from Norman Jewison's prestigious Canadian Film Centre Film Director's program. His award-winning short films have screened at festivals around the world, and he is currently working on his latest film project and developing a new TV series with Frantic Films.
