Bio
Derek Cecil is an American actor best known for his role as Seth Grayson, a sinister political operative who becomes Press Secretary for Vice President Underwood through blackmail, in the political drama web/television series House of Cards.
Cecil, a Texas native, was drawn to performing from an early age, acting in plays from the second grade through high school. After graduating, he moved to Houston where he performed with the Alley, The Houston Shakespeare Festival, Urban Theater and attended the University of Houston.
He decided to further his training at the American Conservatory Theater's Advanced Training Program in San Francisco, stayed in the Bay Area for a year afterwords doing theater, and local TV and film.
He moved to New York City in 1998 where he was a founding member of the Rude Mechanicals Theater Company (NY), acting and directing as a member of the company for several years.
Cecil gained national exposure when he starred opposite Mark Ruffalo in UPN's TV series The Beat. He followed with a recurring role on the Fox series Pasadena and then the lead role, Jim Prufrock on ABC's experimental series Push, Nevada.
His theatre highlights include Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway with Laura Linney, and playing Chance Wayne in Tennessee Williams Sweet Bird Of Youth at the Williamstown Theater Festival.
While living in NY Derek appeared in episodes of Zero Hour, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Gossip Girl, Unforgettable, The Good Wife, Fringe and The $treet, as well as several independent films.
In 2013 he had a recurring role on the Cinemax action series Banshee and in 2014 began starring in House of Cards.