Born in Bournemouth, Julian attended Summerbee comprehensive school until he was 16 before going to to study drama at Poole College and then to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. His appearances are primarily on the stage, in Shakespearean roles, most notably opposite Patrick Stewart in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of The Tempest. He is also famous for his work on the Olivier Award winning Shockhead Peter for which he is co-creator and M.C.

On the smaller screen he has appeared in The Monster a 2007 adaptation of the Frankenstein story, as the Ghostmaker in Torchwood and as Grand Master in I.M. High. He has also recently finished filming his role as the iconic villain Davros in the 2008 series of Doctor Who.