ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Line of Duty's Tommy Jessop says he hasn't got a single role since starring in the show
Home>Entertainment>TV
Updated 11:11 15 Aug 2023 GMT+1Published 10:59 15 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Line of Duty's Tommy Jessop says he hasn't got a single role since starring in the show

The actor received high praise for his role in the BBC cop series, but hasn't worked since

Niamh Spence

Niamh Spence

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Line of Duty actor Tommy Jessop has revealed he hasn't landed any acting work since he starred in the hit show, which concluded in 2021.

The 38-year-old actor, who has Down's Syndrome, has called for more support for fellow actors in the industry with the condition and asked for casting directors to do more.

Tommy is said to have visited his agent to 'see what the problem was' after receiving zero offers of work following his stint in the Jed Mercurio thriller.

Advert

Tommy starred in the BBC's cop drama as Terry Boyle, winning high acclaim with more than 15 million viewers tuning into the show and the final sixth series bringing in record figures.

Tommy's filmmaker brother Will Jessop spoke to the Times, explaining: "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.

"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."

Tommy has steadily built up his acting career since he first starred in BBC's Holby City in 2007 before going onto roles in Doctors and Casualty.

He also became the first actor with Down's syndrome to play a leading role in a primetime TV drama when he was cast in the BAFTA-nominated Coming Down The Mountain opposite Nicholas Hoult.

Not only that, but the star is the first professional actor with Down's syndrome to play Hamlet. receiving high praise including from Shakespearean actor Sir Mark Rylance who called Tommy's performance 'phenomenal'.

Tommy Jessop has revealed he hasn't worked since his role in Line of Duty in 2021. (
BBC)

Supported by his family, Tommy's career seemed an epic trajectory with brother William commenting: "Tommy can't really tie his own shoelaces, but he can stand on stage and break your heart."

Fellow actor Kit Harrington has pledged support to Tommy, and helped him as he moves towards his dream of one day playing an action superhero with Down's Syndrome.

Speaking in an upcoming BBC special titled Tommy Jessop goes to Hollywood, Kit explained to Tommy: "My cousin, Laurent, has Down's syndrome and I’ve always felt with him that he has abilities that I don’t have, and that people with Down's 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.

Tommy has called for more support and roles for actors with Down's Syndrome after his highly praised portrayal in Line of Duty. (
BBC)

"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."

Last year Tommy opened up about how he can be stereotyped because of his Down's Syndrome, as he told Radio 4's Today programme: "Some people think that our lives really are not worth living. They are absolutely wrong."

He also spoke out and praised the Down Syndrome Act, which passed into law last year in April.

The Act aims to improve access to services and the quality of life of people with Down's syndrome, highlighting the support needed for maternity care, education, health and social care and employment as well as other key life areas.

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: Line of Duty, BBC, TV and Film

Niamh Spence
Niamh Spence

Journalist.

X

@missnspence

Recommended reads

Jet2, Ryanair and easyJet vaping rule is becoming an airport nightmare - what you can and can't packGetty Stock ImagesEx-Aston Villa player has rare Stiff Person Syndrome with impossible-sounding bone-breaking symptomSuppliedThe Odyssey's Samantha Morton cheated death in accident that impacted her ability to speakShane Anthony Sinclair/Getty ImagesWhy Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland filmed The Odyssey without ever looking at each otherUniversal Studios

Advert

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    The Odyssey's Samantha Morton cheated death in accident that impacted her ability to speak

    Samantha Morton's performance in The Odyssey is being compared to Heath Ledger's Joker by Christopher Nolan

    Entertainment
  • Universal Studios
    12 hours ago

    Why Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland filmed The Odyssey without ever looking at each other

    Christopher Nolan's latest masterpiece - which is the first feature film to be shot entirely on IMAX - hit cinemas on 17 July

    Entertainment
  • Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Jennifer Garner makes rare comment about ex-husband Ben Affleck as she opens up on impact on kids

    Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck have three children together from their marriage that ended in 2015

    Entertainment
  • Photo by Angela WEISS / AFP via Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Matt Damon explains one 'non-negotiable' rule he's refused to break with wife of 20 years

    It's something they aim to do every single night

    Entertainment
  • Line of Duty set to return after four years as BBC confirm returning cast
  • Nicolas Cage says Christopher Nolan 'won't call him back' after he turned down role
  • Why these Queen’s Nose actors quit the industry after starring in hit 90s show
  • Cillian Murphy reacts as best Tommy Shelby moment is revealed