Niall Matter Bio, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Hallmark, Height, Career, Salary, Net Worth
Niall Matter is a Canadian-American actor and producer best known for his work in television, science fiction, and Hallmark movies. He gained early recognition as Zane Donovan on the Syfy series Eureka and later played Evan Cross in Primeval: New World. His film credits include Watchmen and The Predator, while his extensive Hallmark work includes the Finding Father Christmas series, Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, Christmas at Dollywood, Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater, and Much About Love.
Before becoming an actor, Matter worked for years on oil rigs in Northern Alberta. A serious workplace accident nearly resulted in the loss of his right leg and ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the oil industry and pursue acting full time.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Available Information |
| Full Name | Niall Matter |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian-American |
| Profession | Actor and Producer |
| Years Active | 2007–present |
| Height | 6 feet (1.83 m) |
| Wife | Sara Bradley Matter |
| Married | 2016 |
| Children | Two |
| Parents | Raised on his family’s dairy farm; parents’ names are not consistently documented in authoritative sources |
| Siblings | Brother Trevor Matter is publicly identified |
| Best Known For | Eureka, Primeval: New World, Hallmark movies |
| Major Film Roles | Watchmen, The Predator |
| Former Occupation | Northern Alberta oil-rig worker |
| Estimated Net Worth | Approximately $4 million |
| Salary | Not publicly disclosed; approximately $500,000 annually was reported for his later Eureka seasons |
Niall Matter Age and Early Life
Niall Matter is 46 years old as of 2026. He was born on October 20, 1980, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Alberta and has Irish and Russian ancestry. Niall later became a dual citizen of Canada and the United States.
Matter developed an interest in acting as a teenager. At 13, he was encouraged by a teacher to take drama classes. His ability became apparent quickly, and in 1999 he won Best Actor at the Alberta Provincial Drama Championships for his portrayal of Groucho Marx in A Night in the Ukraine. Although acting interested him, Matter initially followed his family’s connection to the oil industry.
Niall Matter and the Oil Industry
Matter is a third-generation oil rigger. He worked on drilling rigs in Northern Alberta for approximately eight years, alongside his grandfather and brother Trevor. His work in the oil fields was physically demanding and eventually changed the direction of his life.
When Matter was 25, he was involved in a serious accident while working on a 17-ton drilling rig. His quadriceps muscle was detached from his femur, and he nearly lost his right leg. He required approximately six months of rehabilitation and extensive physiotherapy before he could walk normally again.
After returning to the oil industry, Matter witnessed another serious accident in which a worker lost both legs. The experience convinced him that he needed to pursue his long-standing ambition of becoming an actor. He left the oil industry and moved back to Vancouver to pursue acting.
Niall Matter Education
Matter briefly attended Vancouver Film School while pursuing his acting ambitions. However, he eventually returned to working in the oil fields before making the permanent transition to entertainment. His formal education is less extensively documented than his professional acting career.
Niall Matter Acting Career
Matter began his professional screen career in 2007. His first significant television role was Trent Hamilton in the Canadian teen drama The Best Years. He subsequently appeared in productions including Stargate: Atlantis, Beyond Loch Ness, Melrose Place, and 90210. His early roles gave him experience in both Canadian and American television and eventually led to the role that significantly raised his profile.
Niall Matter in Eureka
Matter became widely known for playing Zane Donovan in Syfy’s science fiction series Eureka. Zane was a highly intelligent but rebellious computer scientist who became one of the show’s prominent characters. Matter appeared alongside Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Neil Grayston, and other cast members.
The role established Matter as a recognizable science-fiction actor and remains one of his best-known television performances. Hallmark’s biography also identifies Zane Donovan as one of the roles for which Matter is particularly well known.
Niall Matter in Primeval: New World
In 2012, Matter took the lead role of Evan Cross in Primeval: New World, a Canadian spin-off of the British science-fiction series Primeval. Cross is a wealthy inventor who investigates mysterious temporal anomalies following the death of his wife.
Matter’s performance earned him a Constellation Award in 2013 for Best Male Performance in a Science Fiction Television Episode for the episode “Truth.” He was also nominated for a Leo Award for the role. The series ran for one season before being canceled because of low ratings.
Niall Matter in Watchmen
Matter appeared in Zack Snyder’s 2009 superhero film Watchmen. He was specifically selected to portray the Mothman, a costumed character associated with the fictional Minutemen superhero group. Hallmark notes that Snyder personally selected Matter for the role. Although the part was relatively small, Watchmen became one of the most recognizable films in his early filmography.
Niall Matter in The Predator
Matter also appeared in the 2018 science-fiction action film The Predator. He played a supporting role and filmed scenes opposite Sterling K. Brown. Hallmark identifies the movie as one of Matter’s notable film credits. His other film credits include Chokeslam and Ally Was Screaming.
Niall Matter and Hallmark
Hallmark became a major part of Matter’s career from 2016 onward. His first Hallmark projects included Stop the Wedding and Finding Father Christmas. He subsequently became a regular presence across Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries productions. Some of his best-known Hallmark projects include:
- Finding Father Christmas
- Engaging Father Christmas
- Marrying Father Christmas
- Christmas at Dollywood
- Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Sweater
- Christmas Pen Pals
- Frozen in Love
- Love at First Dance
- A Christmas Together with You
- When I Think of Christmas
- Come Fly with Me
- A Rip in Time
- The Secrets of Bella Vista
- Family History Mysteries: Buried Past
- Aurora Teagarden Mysteries
Hallmark’s current biography describes Matter as a familiar face on both the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.
Niall Matter and Aurora Teagarden Mysteries
Matter played Nick Miller, a college professor and love interest of Candace Cameron Bure’s character Aurora Teagarden, in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries franchise. He appeared in multiple installments of the series. Hallmark describes his role as one of his prominent Hallmark Movies & Mysteries performances. His final appearance as Nick came in Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder, which marked his tenth appearance in the franchise.
Niall Matter and Finding Father Christmas
Matter portrayed Ian McAndrick in the Finding Father Christmas trilogy. The films were:
- Finding Father Christmas
- Engaging Father Christmas
- Marrying Father Christmas
He starred alongside Erin Krakow, with the three films becoming a recognizable part of Hallmark’s holiday programming.
Niall Matter’s Recent Work
Matter has continued working in television movies and Hallmark productions. In 2025, he starred alongside Autumn Reeser in We Met in December, playing Dave. Hallmark lists the movie among his recent productions. He is also starring alongside Ashley Williams in Much About Love, a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Hallmark lists the original airdate as August 29, 2026.
His continued involvement with Hallmark demonstrates how the network has become one of the central parts of his later acting career.
Niall Matter Wife
Niall Matter is married to Sara Bradley Matter. The couple married in a private ceremony in Hawaii in July 2016. Their relationship has largely remained outside the public spotlight. Matter and Sara have maintained a notably private family life, with relatively little information about their personal lives appearing in mainstream media.
Niall Matter Children
Niall Matter and Sara have two children. Their first child, a daughter, was born in 2016. Their second child, a son, was born in 2019, according to published accounts. The couple has chosen to keep their children’s names and most personal details private. People also recently confirmed that Matter is a father of two and that the family generally maintains its privacy.
Niall Matter Family
Matter was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Alberta. His family also had a long connection to the oil industry, and he became a third-generation oil rigger. His brother Trevor Matter is publicly identified as a sibling. Trevor worked alongside Niall and their grandfather on the oil rigs. Beyond these details, Matter has generally avoided making his extended family the focus of his public career.
Niall Matter Height
Niall Matter is 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall. This is one of the more consistently reported physical details about the actor.
Niall Matter Awards
Matter has received both awards and nominations during his career. His documented recognitions include:
| Year | Award | Result |
| 1999 | Alberta Provincial Drama Championships – Best Actor | Won |
| 2013 | Constellation Award – Best Male Performance in a Science Fiction TV Episode | Won |
| 2013 | Leo Award – Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series | Nominated |
| 2015 | Rosie Award – Best Performance by an Alberta Actor | Nominated |
| 2019 | Leo Award – Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Television Movie | Won |
| 2023 | Leo Award – Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Television Movie | Nominated |
| 2024 | Canadian Screen Award – Best Lead Performer, TV Movie | Nominated |
Niall Matter Salary
Niall Matter’s current salary is not publicly disclosed. However, it is reported that Matter earned approximately $60,000 per episode during the period when he was a main cast member on Eureka. The same source estimates that his earnings from seasons three through five were around $500,000 per year.
Because Matter now works primarily across television movies, Hallmark productions, and other projects, his current annual income is not publicly established.
Niall Matter Net Worth
Niall Matter’s net worth is approximately $4 million. The figure is attributed to his long-running career, including television series, films, television movies, and Hallmark productions.
Niall Matter Before Acting
One of the most interesting aspects of Matter’s biography is that he did not immediately enter the entertainment industry. He spent approximately eight years working on oil rigs before becoming a full-time actor. His experience included physically demanding work in Northern Alberta and a serious accident that nearly cost him his right leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Niall Matter?
Niall Matter was born on October 20, 1980, making him 45 years old in 2026.
Where was Niall Matter born?
He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Is Niall Matter Canadian?
Yes. Matter is Canadian-American and holds citizenship in both Canada and the United States.
Who is Niall Matter’s wife?
His wife is Sara Bradley Matter. They married in Hawaii in 2016.
How many children does Niall Matter have?
He and Sara have two children, a daughter and a son.
How tall is Niall Matter?
IMDb lists him at 6 feet, or approximately 1.83 meters.
What is Niall Matter famous for?
He is best known for playing Zane Donovan in Eureka, Evan Cross in Primeval: New World, and Nick Miller in the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. He is also a frequent Hallmark actor.
What did Niall Matter do before acting?
He worked on oil rigs in Northern Alberta for approximately eight years and was a third-generation oil rigger.
Did Niall Matter have an accident?
Yes. At age 25, he suffered a serious accident on an oil rig that severely injured his leg and required approximately six months of rehabilitation.
What is Niall Matter’s net worth?
The most consistent public estimate is approximately $4 million. This is an estimate rather than a verified financial figure.
What is Niall Matter’s salary?
His current salary is not publicly disclosed. A published estimate reports that he earned around $60,000 per episode of Eureka at his peak, or approximately $500,000 annually during later seasons.
Is Niall Matter still acting?
Yes. Matter continues to appear in television movies and Hallmark productions. Hallmark currently lists him in Much About Love, scheduled for August 29, 2026.
