Line of Duty star says he hasn't got a single part since the show ended
Line of Duty actor Tommy Jessop has been unable to take the next step in his career despite his landmark performance wowing audiences.
He's not been able to secure another role despite winning millions of fans in the Jed Mercurio thriller, which concluded in 2021. His filmmaker brother Will Jessop says the jobs he have been offered are those of victims, and he fears being typecast by saying yes.
Tommy, ill-fated Terry Boyle in the crime drama, was spotted filming Masters of the Air in the village of Bledlow, Bucks, and quickly stole the hearts of producers. The 38-year-old, one of the first actors with the condition to star in a prime-time drama, has been “overwhelmed” by messages of support from fans since appearing in the show but he craves a return to the screen.
His brother called on the likes of Game of Thrones star Kit Harington and Scream icon Neve Campbell amid their bid to make a groundbreaking Hollywood movie and says he is making it his mission to get Tommy back in front of the camera.
He has called for more support for fellow actors in the industry with Down's Syndrome (BBC)Will spoke to the Times and explained that the. next big opportunity has yet to arise - but it's not for the want of trying. He said: "When he was in Line of Duty, it felt as if that was an incredible breakthrough. Tommy was at the centre of all the attention.
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"We're desperate to live in a world where he no longer has to be the first, where it becomes routine that other people (with Down's syndrome) have the opportunities. The roles that come through (can feel) typecast. Victims, people in hospital beds, people who need support."
After finding work hard to come by, he decided to take matters into his own hands and teams up with his filmmaker brother to do a one-off BBC special, Tommy Jessop goes to Hollywood.
Tommy told the Mirror: “I have watched countless superhero films in the past and I think it’s about time someone with Down syndrome should play a superhero. We should always be speaking up for the rights of people with Down syndrome so that we are able to make our own choices in life.”
In the documentary, Tommy and Will employ various tactics to get Hollywood to notice Roger, including sending video messages to A-listers to ask them to play Tommy’s baddie, prompting GoT star Kit to read with Tommy for the role. Kit says: “My cousin, Laurent, has Down syndrome and I’ve always felt with him that he has abilities that I don’t have, and that people with Down syndrome don’t have.
“I think one of those abilities that he has, that I hope would be part of your superhero, is an empathy. He understands quite often how I’m feeling almost before I know I’m feeling it, which I think is amazing. The time is right for a superhero front and centre that has Down syndrome. I think you have every chance of getting this made. You should do it.”
Tommy was also given tips on how to pitch his movie idea by Neve, who tells him: “I love the idea of learning more about people with Down’s, also the idea of changing perspectives, people’s perceptions, or what they believe the story to be as opposed to what your actual life story is.”
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