Commander Nolan Grey was a recurring character on TNT's Snowpiercer. He is portrayed by Timothy V. Murphy.
He was a brilliant tactician, hardened leader, and former Special Forces, British SAS who commanded men before the Freeze. He relished keeping things in order and getting his hands dirty in combat.
History
Background
Grey is a widower whose wife passed two years ago.
Throughout The Series
Playing Ruth
Nolan initially portrays himself as the obedient soldier committed to service. Eventually, he becomes wary of Melanie Cavill and the amount of power she holds on Snowpiercer.
In an effort to displace Melanie, he grows closer with Ruth and asks her out on a date. When they begin the date, they are ambushed by Lilah and Robert Folger, and it is revealed to be a set up by Nolan to get an audience with Ruth. Nolan — along with Lilah and Robert — suggest usurping Melanie and replacing her with Ruth; Ruth is flabbergasted by the idea and leaves at once to alert Melanie.[1]
Revolution and Death
After LJ Folger learns from Andre Layton and Miles that Melanie Cavill has been posing as Mr. Wilford, she reveals the truth to her parents and Nolan joins First Class in demanding the truth. Nolan and Ruth storm the Engine where Javi is locked out by Bennett Knox and reveals that Melanie had abandoned Wilford to die on boarding. Melanie is imprisoned as Layton's own revolution begins.
Nolan leads the Jackboots against the Tailies and Third Class passengers, fighting personally in the Nightcar. Losing a lot of men in the brutal battle, Nolan takes a Tailie hostage to escape before slitting her throat. After the revolutionaries are driven out of the Nightcar, a bloodied Grey meets with the Folgers and Pike who states that with enough pressure, Layton's rebellion will crumble.[2]
Nolan later plans to gas the rest of the train, uncaring if civilians die along with the revolutionary army if Layton refuses the offer to surrender in exchange for everyone else being spared. Nolan shares a passionate kiss with Ruth and plans for the two of them to lead Snowpiercer once Layton's revolution has been fully crushed. However, the Folgers come to the same conclusion and decide to lead the surrender ceremony in the schoolroom to cement their own power.
After Layton arrives with Roche to surrender, Nolan takes him forward to make an official announcement, only to be ambushed by Roche in the sub-train due to Roche siding with the rebellion. A brawl breaks out between Layton, Roche, Nolan, and the Jackboots before The Last Australian arrives with Strong Boy who jumps Nolan and beats him unconscious. Running out of time, Layton stops the others from killing Nolan and sends them uptrain for safety. Minutes later, Layton, Melanie, Bennett, and Miles disconnect seven cars containing the Folgers, Nolan, and their army, sending them off on a switch track to perish of the cold without the rest of the train.[3]
Personality
Relationships
Ruth Wardell
Grey first puts across his interest in Ruth when he asks her out on a date during her day off. Ruth agrees, and during the date the two talk about each other and slightly touch on Nolan's late wife. Ruth eventually finds out that Nolan used the date to set her up, but he admits that everything he said was true and he does have feelings for her.[1]
Appearances
- Season One
Memorable Quotes
Trivia
- Nolan is among many who believe Melanie Cavill has too much power aboard Snowpiercer and conspires to get rid of her.