Tommy: ‘Acting truly is a great passion in my life’
the way he improvised some of the lines.
“Tommy has an aura and physique which holds the attention on the big screen. He uses body language to communicate.”
Ben works in the fields of drama, documentary and commercials. Over the past decade his work has received EMMY, Grierson, RTS and BAFTA nominations and awards.
Broadcasters of his films include BBC, Channel 4, Sky, National Geographic, Discovery, NBC and Netflix.
He now hopes to turn Innocence into a full-length feature and is looking for funding for that project.
Ben started the #InclusionInTheArts campaign, which stresses the importance of inclusivity in the arts. People with disabilities are often excluded from the arts and Ben is hoping to change that with this campaign, aiming to redefine the representation of actors and actresses with Down syndrome in films.
Celebrities including Academy Award Winners Rachel Shenton and Chris Overton, Rosie Fellner, Helen Lederer, Richard Glover, who is in Innocence, have
Ben Reid, right, and team on set
been supporting this campaign by holding up a sign that includes the hashtags #InclusionInTheArts #InnocenceTheFilm #ForYourConsideration and so have young children with Down syndrome.
“What I really hope the lasting legacy of this film to be is that the industry will become aware of just how much talent they have had their disposal when it comes to actors with Down syndrome and how much richer the industry will be, and society will be, if actors with Down syndrome are given the opportunity to take on roles which are not currently afforded them,” said Ben.
Actor Tommy Jessop’s first major break came when he was cast opposite Nicholas Hoult in Mark Haddon’s feature-length BBC drama Coming Down The Mountain. Tommy’s performance was widely praised and the film was nominated for a BAFTA for Best single Drama before winning the RADAR People of the Year Human Rights MEDIA Award 2008.
Tommy’s subsequent film work includes The Damned United, Day Of
The Flowers And Freddie’s Story.
On TV Tommy has appeared in Casualty, Holby City, Monroe, Doctors, Off Their Rockers and starred in several BBC documentaries. Tommy also made history when he became the first professional actor with Down syndrome to play the lead role of
Hamlet in a mainstream theatre tour across England.
Tommy gives a very still and powerful performance in Innocence that makes you focus on the character he plays who is as manipulative as they come.
“Acting truly is a great passion in my life,” said Tommy, who got into acting through acting through the BBC/Channel 4 Talent Fund and went to stage school. “I really loved playing a character with such powerful emotions.”
“I enjoyed swearing, shouting, and being quite violent, all for love! I’m always up for a challenging role and I enjoyed this one. The film sends out a powerful message and I am glad to be part of this.
“I can literally play anything you can throw at me.”