Thomas "Tom" Payne (born 21 December 1982 in Chelmsford, Essex) is a British actor. He is known for his role as Paul "Jesus" Rovia in the television series The Walking Dead. He can currently be seen as Malcolm Bright in the series Prodigal Son.

Payne grew up in Bath, Somerset, in the west of England. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005. During his training he gained his first experience in plays such as The Class Enemy, The Balcony, The Rivals, Three Sisters, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III and The Man Who Had All the Luck.

After graduating he got his first leading role in a production of Journey's End in London's West End. He appeared alongside Imogen Stubbs in Maria Aberg's production of Laughing Matters at the Soho Theatre.

After early television roles in series such as Skins and Casualty, in 2007 he was cast as Brett Aspinall in two series of Waterloo Road.