A gifted and intense dramatic screen actor, Merrick is frequently cast as the lead detective, doctor, or attorney in film and television and is known for his work as Mayor of Indianapolis on the show Criminal Minds. He has an upcoming role on the new BET series Rebel, produced by the legendary John Singleton.You will have seen him as a mysterious Defense Lobbyist on the hit series, Scandal...as well as a comedic guest starring role on the Disney show Jessie as the Military Chaplain who marries James Patrick Stewart to Molly Shannon...and more recently on The Fosters and the award winning show Goliath starring Billy Bob Thorton. Merrick got his start with the short film team, Amalgamated Grommets, winning multiple awards over several consecutive years in San Diego and Los Angeles...including the hit 'The Heiress Lethal', a film noir comedy, which was chosen to screen at the International Cannes Film Festival. Merrick manages dual residence in Los Angeles and San Diego, and is regarded as San Diego's top A-List actor...aggressively sought after by independent filmmakers there.Merrick began very young in theater in Detroit before moving to California to complete a degree in engineering. A chance meeting with a veteran actor inspired him to start taking classes.