Jesse L. Martin stars as Alec Mercer in the new NBC drama "The Irrational."

A Tony Award winner, Martin starred in the CW series "The Flash" and is well-known for his role as Det. Edward Green in the long-running series "Law & Order." He also had recurring roles on the critically acclaimed series "Smash" and "Ally McBeal." Additional credits include "New York Undercover," "The X-Files" and "The Philanthropist," as well as the telepics "A Christmas Carol: The Musical" and "Deep in My Heart."

Martin just completed production on the biopic "Sexual Healing," in which he portrays Marvin Gaye. He also co-starred in the feature films "Joyful Noise," "Rent" and "The Cake Eaters." Additional film credits include "Puncture," "Silent Rhythm," "Buffalo Bushido," "Peter and Vandy" and "Restaurant."

Making his Broadway debut in "Timon of Athens," Martin went on to perform in "The Government Inspector." After his performance in "Rent," Martin took a break to film "Law & Order" but returned to the stage for productions of "The Merchant of Venice" and "The Winter's Tale" as part of The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park. "The Merchant of Venice" transferred to Broadway and Martin reprised his role for a limited engagement.

Born in Rocky Mount, Virginia, Martin attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating, he was cast in a recurring role on the daytime drama "Guiding Light." He continued to work in theater and was soon cast in the role of Tom Collins in the Broadway play "Rent," for which he won a Tony. He reprised his role in the feature film version of the play in 2005. 

Martin currently resides in Vancouver.