Ross Boatman biography
Ross Maxim Boatman was born on March 3, 1964, in King's Cross, London, and trained at RADA before launching a television career in 1988 that would span decades. He became widely known playing firefighter Kevin Medhurst in the ITV drama "London's Burning" across more than 100 episodes between 1988 and 1995, with a further stint in 2000, and later joined the cast of "EastEnders" as Harvey Monroe in July 2021, a role that earned him the British Soap Award for Best Newcomer.
His additional television credits include "Mum" (2016-2019) and Netflix's "Stay Close" (2021). Alongside his acting career, Boatman built a genuine and respected poker résumé, having learned the game from his older brother Barny in the mid-1970s and turned professional in 1992.
Along with Barny Boatman, Joe Beevers, and Ram Vaswani, Ross co-founded the Hendon Mob, the pioneering group of North London players who traveled the European tournament circuit together and became household names in the UK through their appearances on the television series "Late Night Poker," a show that helped popularize the game in Britain during the early 2000s.
His tournament highlights include a 7th-place finish in the 2002 WSOP Pot Limit Omaha event, a 34th-place finish in the 2002 WSOP Main Event, and a 6th-place finish worth €140,000 at the second European Poker Tour Grand Final. Boatman's dual career as both a recognizable British television actor and a founding figure of one of poker's most influential teams remains a distinctive combination in the game's history.
Career summary
A veteran of "London's Burning" and "EastEnders," Boatman co-founded the legendary Hendon Mob with his brother Barny, backing his television career with genuine WSOP and EPT Grand Final cashes.
Ross Boatman poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | WSOP Pot Limit Omaha | 7th | Cash |
| 2002 | WSOP Main Event | 34th | Cash |
Verified live tournament earnings: $500,000+.
2000s - EPT Grand Final (second edition) - 6th Place - €140,000
Ross Boatman playing style
Boatman plays a fundamentals-based game shaped by decades in North London's poker scene, reflecting the grounded, community-oriented style that defined the original Hendon Mob's approach to the tour.
Cash games
Longtime cash-game player in North London's poker scene, where he first developed his game alongside the future members of the Hendon Mob.
Business & sponsorships
Working television and film actor since 1988, best known for London's Burning and EastEnders; British Soap Award winner.
Ross Boatman Net Worth
As of November 2026, Ross Boatman net worth estimates range from $2 million to $5 million (primarily from acting career).
Verified live tournament earnings account for $500K of prize money. Sponsorships, business ventures and cash games, covered above, make up the rest of the picture. Tournament prize money is not the same as profit: buy-ins, staking deals and taxes are not deducted, so all net worth figures are estimates based on public reporting.
Why Ross matters
Born Ross Maxim Boatman in King's Cross, London, Boatman built a decades-long acting career on shows including "London's Burning" and "EastEnders" while co-founding the legendary Hendon Mob poker team with his brother Barny.
FAQ about Ross Boatman
What poker team did Ross Boatman help found?
He co-founded the Hendon Mob alongside his brother Barny Boatman, Joe Beevers, and Ram Vaswani.
What television roles is Ross Boatman best known for?
He is best known for playing Kevin Medhurst in "London's Burning" and Harvey Monroe in "EastEnders," the latter earning him a British Soap Award.
How much has Ross Boatman won playing poker?
Ross Boatman has won $500,000+ in live tournament earnings.
How many WSOP bracelets does Ross Boatman have?
Ross Boatman has not won a WSOP bracelet yet.