Jassa stars as David in The Bible, tonight on Channel 5

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Jassa stars as David, battling Goliath, in tonight's episode of The Bible - Homeland - on Channel 5, 9pm.

The five-part Emmy-nominated series premiered in the UK last weekend with 1.3 million viewers.

Filmed in Morocco last year The Bible is executive produced by husband and wife team Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice, The Voice) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel). The series is scored by Hans Zimmer (Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Inception) and Lorne Balfe (Iron Man, Rush, Captain Phillips).

Jassa stars alongside Martin Sheen in The Whale

Jassa stars alongside Martin Sheen in feature length drama The Whale this Christmas on BBC One. The 90 minute film tells the true story of nautical survival following the sinking of the whaleship Essex, the event that inspired Herman Merville's classic Moby-Dick.

Martin Sheen stars as Old Thomas Nickerson, who tells a story of his life as a cabin boy on the ill-fated voyage. Jassa plays young Nickerson's colleague and unlikely friend Owen Coffin, nephew of the ship's captain.

Alrick Riley directs a cast led by Martin Sheen as the elder Nickerson, along with Jonas Armstrong (Robin Hood, The Edge of Tomorrow) as First Mate Owen Chase, Adam Rayner (Tyrant, The Hunted) as Captain Pollard, Paul Kaye (Game Of Thrones, It's All Gone Pete Tong) as Joy, David Gyasi (Cloud Atlas, Interstellar) as Peterson, Jolyon Coy (The Hollow Crown) as Lawrence, John Boyega (Attack the Block) as Bond and Ferdinand Kingsley (Dracula Untold) as Hendricks, and introducing Charles Furness as the young Tom Nickerson.

The action-packed narrative follows Nickerson as, against all odds, he comes through the worst that nature throws at him, growing up fast in the process. He faces the destructive force of sea storms, the power of whales, the brutal desolation of the sun and sea after the shipwreck, and finally, the grim realities of dark deeds as his only means of survival.

With breathtaking underwater shots and specialist equipment used to create storm scenes, The Whale beautifully captures the Essex caught in the treacherous sea storm.

Made by BBC Factual Productions with Animal Planet, The Whale is BBC executive produced by Eamon Hardy and Ruth Caleb. Mike Dormer is the producer. For Animal Planet, The Whale is executive produced by Mick Kaczorowski.
 

The Whale will air on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 22nd December.

 

On location with Alrick Riley (left) and Sundance award winning cinematographer David Raedeker (centre)

On location with Alrick Riley (left) and Sundance award winning cinematographer David Raedeker (centre)

Martin Sheen as Old Tom Nickerson and Jonas Armstrong as First Mate Chase

Martin Sheen as Old Tom Nickerson and Jonas Armstrong as First Mate Chase

Jassa as Owen Coffin fights for his life as the storm thrashes the Essex

Jassa as Owen Coffin fights for his life as the storm thrashes the Essex

Jassa guest stars in Ripper Street

Airing 9pm Monday 25th November, Jassa guest stars in Threads of Silk and Gold, the fifth episode in the second series of BBC One's BAFTA nominated series Ripper Street.

Investigations into the brutal slaying of a Telegraph Boy lift the lid on a vice racket run from the offices of the GPO. The telegraph ledger leads Reid to the heart of the one of the city’s most august financial institutions, Barings Bank.

Jassa recently described his character Vincent Featherwell in an interview with Inside Media Track:

On the surface Vincent is a street smart telegraph boy trying to make his way in the world. But that’s not the whole truth. He is an exceptionally confident leader with much bigger plans for the future. He is the driving force in the relationship between him and his colleague/lover David (Alfie Stewart). He has absolute strength and isn’t afraid to stick his finger up to society.

Read the full interview here

Jassa appears alongside Mathew Macfadyen (Anna Karenina, Spooks, Robin Hood, Frost/Nixon), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones) and Adam Rothenberg (Elementary).

Also starring as a guest lead in Jassa's episode is Andrew Tiernan. Perhaps best known for playing the hunchback Ephialtes in Zach Snyder's 300, Andrew has starred in numerous iconic films including Roman Polanski's The Pianist.

Ripper Street Returns

BAFTA nominated series Ripper Street returns to BBC One on Monday 28th October at 9pm.

East London. 1890. The long shadow of Jack The Ripper may be receding, but the job of preventing Whitechapel from descending into hell has never been harder for Detective Inspector Edmund Reid and his loyal deputies Detective Sergeant Bennet Drake and Captain Homer Jackson. As the century enters its final decade, recession stalks Great Britain, its preeminent role in the world is under threat. And nowhere is the bloated British Empire’s problems felt more keenly than in its dark heart: the East End of London.

Jassa guest leads as telegraph boy Vincent Featherwell in Threads of Silk and Gold, Episode Five of the new series.

Jassa announced as CPAG charity Ambassador

Jassa has been announced as an Ambassador alongside Simon Callow and Jack Monroefor Child Poverty Action Group, the charity's first ever Ambassadors. 

'I am very proud to be an Ambassador for Child Poverty Action Group. A child is the definition of potential. Whether or not they flourish is determined by opportunity. CPAG speaks out for children in poverty so that every child growing up in the UK has the chance to succeed in life.' - Jassa

CPAG is the leading national charity working to end poverty among children, young people and families in the UK.

The charity approached Jassa to become an Ambassador after he attended An Audience with Simon Callow - an exclusive drinks reception at the House of Lords in support of CPAG.

'It was an honour to be invited to such an event, and within such a prestigious setting. I attended as a fan of Dickens' and left having gained an insight into the parallels that exist between his incredible work and that of CPAG. I'm humbled to now be able to be a small part of that." - Jassa

For more information about Child Poverty Action Group please visit www.cpag.org.uk | Jassa's Profile

The Bible Nominated for Three Emmy Awards

The Bible has been nominated for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie at the 65th Emmy Awards. The ten-part miniseries, a huge ratings for the History Channel, was executive produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey. The series has also been nominated in the Sound Editing and Sound Mixing categories. The Bible was scored by Hans Zimmer.

Jassa stars in The Bible as David, famed for slaying Goliath.

The Bible will broadcast in the UK on Channel 5 this autumn.

Other nominees in the Miniseries or Movie category include USA Network's Political Animals, Sundance Channel's Top of the Lake, HBO's Phil Spector, HBO's Behind the Candelabra and FX Network's American Horror Story: Asylum.

Related articles:

Jassa to star in BAFTA nominated Ripper Street

Jassa will be starring alongside Mathew Macfadyen (Anna Karenina, Spooks, The Pillars of the Earth, Robin Hood, Frost/Nixon), Jerome Flynn (Game of Thrones, Soldier Soldier) and Adam Rothenberg (Elementary, Law & Order, Mad Money) as an episode lead in the highly anticipated second series of BBC One's BAFTA nominated Ripper Street.

Set in Victorian Whitechapel in London's East End, in the aftermath of the infamous Jack the Ripper murders, Ripper Street marks Jassa's second period piece this year. In May he wrapped on a six week shoot in Malta for BBC One film The Whale, set to broadcast late this year / early 2014. The Whale tells the true story of the sinking of the whaleship Essex in 1820.

Speaking about the second series, Ripper Street creator and writer Richard Warlow told the BBC:

"I am enormously grateful to have been given the opportunity to return to 'H' Division once more and will be working tirelessly to ensure that those who have joined us each week will find ever more compelling crime-fighting thrills down on Ripper Street the second time around. 
The series will move forward into the 1890s: the death rattle of a century coming to a close, the labour pains of a modern world on the rise.
It is this sense of climax and calamity that, week by week, our heroes will confront with conviction and heroism."

Ripper Street is due to return to BBC One in early 2014.

Related stories / links:

Jassa harpoons BBC TV film The Whale

Jassa has been confirmed to star as Owen Coffin in BBC One film The Whale. The 90 minute one off is to be helmed by Alrick Riley (Hunted, Hustle, Spooks). John Chapman (The Street), Ruth Caleb (Four Last Songs, Beyond The Gates) are exec producing for BBC. Mike Dormer (New Tricks, Blue Murder) is producing for BBC. Mick Kaczorowski is senior exec producing for Discovery Channel / Animal Planet in the US.

The Whale will tell the true story of the American whaleship, Essex. During her lifetime the Essex gained the reputation of being a "lucky" ship but she is best known for being attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in the southern Pacific Ocean in 1820. This tragic incident served as inspiration for Herman Melville's 1851 novel, Moby-Dick.

Jassa will star as Owen Coffin, sailor and cousin of the ship's captain George Pollard, Jr, alongside John Boyega (Attack the Block, My Murder) who will play Steward William Bond.

The Whale shoots in Malta for five weeks starting this April.

The Bible - Becoming David - Part II

The Bible premiered across America last Sunday with 27 million people tuning in. Jassa continues with how he came to be Young David.

Getting The Part

The day I got the call I was actually waiting to hear back from another project. My agent called and said she had some good news and some bad news. I went with the bad first – I hadn’t got the project I was up for. Then the good news. All I remember hearing was: “would like to offer you the part of Young David in The Bible”. It took me a moment to register what was happening. It had been several weeks since I'd auditioned for The Bible and, assuming I hadn't got the part, I'd genuinely forgotten about it. Before I knew it I had a wig fitting in London, a car at my front door and I was on a plane to Morocco that Sunday.

The Journey

I met Laurie Calvert (Young Jonathan) at Heathrow. We had separate seats on our flight to Casablanca and I spent most of it listening to Hans Zimmer's soundtrack from The Prince of Egypt. I still couldn't quite believe I was to be a part of a production he was scoring. Laurie and I got to know each other while waiting for our transfer. The more we spoke the more excited we became. It then transpired we were among only seven people on the prop plane to Ouarzazate, the film capital of Morocco. Taking advantage of the almost empty plane we settled down in Business Class. We didn't think our luck could get any better when the pilots came out and asked us if we'd like to join them in the cockpit. We were like children living out our wildest fantasy.

First Day in Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate has been the home to numerous incredible productions. Gladiator, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia and Kingdom of Heaven were all shot on locations in and around the city, nicknamed The Door Of The Desert. Being the door to the desert I thought I'd have some time to acclimatise. Nope! I was straight off to the very impressive studios for hair and make up tests and costume fittings.

Read more: The Bible - Becoming David - Part I
Read more: Jassa to slay Goliath in Bible epic

The Bible airs every Sunday at 8/7c on History.

The Bible - Becoming David - Part I

With epic miniseries The Bible due to premiere across America this Sunday, Jassa discusses how he came to be Young David.

The Audition

Fittingly my audition took place at the American Church on Tottenham Court Road, but because the show was so high profile there wasn't really much information available. The brief bits of script I had were from very early drafts. It was also unlike anything I'd ever been up for before. I was at a loss for how to deliver the dialogue in a way that seemed both convincing but also in keeping with the scale of the project. That's when Brad Pitt came to my rescue. I watched Troy the night before my audition, paying particular attention to performances. That process really helped me overcome my inhibitions and give myself fully to the scenes.

On the day of the audition I tried to keep focused but I was very aware that I was the first person they were seeing. I had to make an impression or else I'd easily be forgotten. Once I got into the room though, everything changed. It was one of the most rewarding casting experiences I've ever had. I was introduced to director Tony Mitchell and producer Michael Waterhouse and we worked on the scenes for almost half an hour. I felt like I was rehearsing for the role, not auditioning for it. In fact when I left I actually called my agent to check whether that was the case. It wasn't.

The original shoot dates that came with the brief passed. I'd heard nothing. I assumed I hadn't got the part so I forgot about it. It wasn't long before I got my reminder.

Look out for The Bible - Becoming David - Part II, coming soon.

The Bible premieres this Sunday in America, 3.3.13 at 8/7c on History.

An audience with Simon Callow - Jassa attends exclusive drinks reception at the House of Lords

On Wednesday 30th January, Jassa attended an exclusive drinks reception at the House of Lords in support of one of the leading child poverty charities in the UK: Child Poverty Action Group.

The drinks reception was followed by internationally-renowned actor Simon Callow's stirring evocation of Dickens as a social reformer, both in his life and his work. Having written no less than thirteen books, Simon's latest publication, Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World, shows an intricate knowledge of and a heartfelt passion for Dickens' work.

After receiving his invitation Jassa began reading the aforementioned biography.

"It gives fascinating insight into the life of one of the greatest storytellers in our language. What I find particularly fascinating, as a young and aspiring actor, is that I'm finding myself drawing parallels between my own formative years and those of Dickens, and in the process learning more about myself as well as the great author. Unsurprising I suppose in some respects as, for a while at least, Dickens looked destined to become an actor himself. But nevertheless I was shocked to discover how much I could relate to the story of this incredible man. And Simon's style is so engaging that you discover yourself reading as though it were a novel by Dickens himself!" - Jassa

Within the prestigious setting of the House of Lords, guests obtained a fascinating insight into the parallels that exist between the work and interests of Dickens, the work of the Child Poverty Action Group and the most current issues relating to child poverty in the UK.

For more information and to donate to Child Poverty Action Group please visit www.cpag.org.uk

Jassa to slay Goliath in Bible epic

Jassa stars as David in History Channel's upcoming epic mini-series The Bible.

Earlier this year Jassa flew out to Morocco to film on The Bible, an epic ten-part historical drama series. It will broadcast on the History Channel (US) from 3rd March 2013. Global distribution, including the UK, will follow. Jassa will star in the battle against Goliath and the Philistines as Young David.

"This is probably the most important book in mankind, regardless of your beliefs or religious affiliation," History Channel president Nancy Dubuc told The Hollywood Reporter. "This series will bring the historical stories of the Bible to life for a new generation."

Shooting on location in Morocco the series combines live action with cutting-edge CGI to retell stories ranging from Noah’s Ark to Exodus to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The series is an epic and gritty portrayal and will have broad appeal.

Hans Zimmer (Gladiator, The Dark Knight, Inception) has composed the score. Tony Mitchell (Supervolcano, Flood) directs [Jassa's episodes] and executive producers are Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice, The Voice) and his wife, actress Roma Downey.

“I screamed down the phone when I got the call offering me the part. It’s a magnificent project to be a part of and with so many amazing people involved. Hans Zimmer is composing! My iPod is filled with soundtracks to films like Batman Begins, Inception, The Dark Knight and The Prince of Egypt! I was listening to them all on the flight out to Morocoo. And of course there’s the role, David. Such an iconic figure and such an iconic story. To be given the opportunity to portray him is, as an actor, overwhelming. But I must admit the kid in me was simply shouting out, “Morocco! I get to slay Goliath?! And fight battles in the desert?! Combat training?!” - Jassa

The Bible is among History Channel’s biggest ventures to date.

The series is using the New International Version, the translation preferred by evangelical Christian leaders, and the New Revised Standard Version. A committee of theologians and scholars was assembled to consult on the series.

The Bible offers rare depth and the chance to create a “legacy” project, said Burnett, “I could be 80 or 90 and it could still be on television.”

More information about The Bible and Jassa’s involvement will be announced later in the year. 

Some Girls to return for Series 2

The BBC has recommissioned BBC Three's new comedy series Some Girls.

The show will be back for a second series, PR Matters have confirmed.

Written by Bernadette Davis (Game On), Some Girls follows the lives and loves of a group of quirky 16 year old girls who play on the same school football team and live on the same inner city estate.

The cast includes Adelayo Adedayo (Skins) as Viva, Colin Salmon (Die Another Day) as her dad Rob, Dolly Wells (Spy) as her stepmother Anna and Natasha Jonas (Attack the Block) Mandeep Dhillon (Some Dogs Bite) and Alice Felgate (The Cabin) as her friends.

Colton's Big Night

The short film I produced Colton’s Big Night is now on my YouTube channel, thank you to everyone who worked around the clock to bring this film to life, it was great to see it on the big screen at Genesis Cinema and it’s been a pleasure working with you! For those who haven’t seen it yet you can watch the film and the behind the scenes below:

Jassa to star in Spanish film, El Amor y Otras Desgracias

This weekend Jassa will be shooting a short film in Spain which will form part of the feature film El Amor y Otras Desgracias (Love and Other Misfortunes). The production interweaves sixteen stories that take place in Alicante. The sixteen stories have been scripted by sixteen writers who are being led by sixteen directors from the Spanish province.

Jassa came on board after producer Rodolfo Coloma offered him the lead in one of the stories. Initially there was a scheduling conflict and it looked unlikely that Jassa would be able to accept the offer but fortunately the producers and director were able to reschedule the shoot.

This film will be the second time Jassa and Rodolfo have worked together, having first met on Journey to the Moon.

“One of the highlights of making that film, my first ever film, was the people. I was only sixteen when I met Rodolfo but we've always kept in touch and I can’t wait to work with him once again. My heart sank when I realised I couldn't make the planned shoot dates and I'm incredibly grateful that the production team were able to rearrange”

Jassa will star as Mark in 5 Hours and 21 Minutes by Ainhoa G Forcada. Directed by Àngela Soler. 

El Amor y Otras Desgracias is set for a Valentine's release in 2013. 

Colton's Big Night - Jassa on producing his first film

Colton's Big Night is an official entry in the 50 Kisses film competition. Produced by Jassa Ahluwalia & Katya Rogers. Directed by Sebastian Solberg.

Why did you want to get involved with this production?

Seb. Whatever the production! His dedication and passion for filmmaking resonated with me when we first met at the cast and crew screening of Resistance; I’d done some voice over work on the film and he’d been shooting the EPK. Despite working on different sides of the camera we recognised a shared ambition and we’ve kept in touch ever since. Our first project together was my music video for All Your Letters and that’s where I got the bug for producing. It gave me the opportunity to apply my knowledge of filmmaking beyond the realm of acting and it was a hugely rewarding experience. We worked together after that on a music video for Michael Kiwanuka’s Always Waiting and were discussing future projects when 50 Kisses popped up. He called and explained the premise of the competition. I read the script. I was on board straight away.


Two producers. Benefits of being co-producers?

Katya has expertise and skills that I’ve yet to develop. She can schedule and plan things so efficiently that you’d think she was creating time. That was the huge benefit of co-producing; we could exploit each other’s strengths. We were also both very busy with other projects so if one of us was busy on a certain day the other could take over and it wouldn’t impact the overall running of the production. We could also double check each other’s work, avoiding any costly errors. There was also the benefit of having someone to consult when Seb and I couldn’t agree on something.
 

Greatest pre production challenge?

Casting Colton. Through my work I’ve had the privilege of meeting some incredibly talented people and casting Anna was very simple. I knew exactly who I wanted and fortunately Hermione was free and keen to be involved. But time constraints and the laws surrounding child performers meant casting Colton would be far from effortless. We had three days! I set the ball rolling by contacting a child agency but I was all too aware that the rules we’re used to bending as filmmakers do not apply to children. So I went back to what I knew. I had been in a film when I was sixteen and had needed a licence from Leicestershire County Council; so I knew to some extent how that particular Local Authority worked. I had also recently come across a short film that Kieran Chauhan (our behind the scenes videographer) had made. It featured a lad a little younger than Colton was initially meant to be but his look and on screen energy was perfect. He was also from Leicester and so I set about getting in touch with his parents and fast tracking the necessary paperwork with the council. We avoided the need for a lengthy licence application process by scheduling the shoot outside of school time, during the day and with his dad as chaperone. In the end we only needed a licence exemption letter which was a lot easier to obtain.

Greatest production challenge?

Turning off the sun. Like I say, we were scheduled to shoot during the day…but the film is all set at night. I received an email from Seb after a recce at the location with a selection of photos attached. They were photos of various windows and other light sources that would need blacking out. I thought he was kidding. There were almost a dozen windows across three storeys (whoever designed this house had a good eye for light) including several skylights and huge glass panels. But it’s amazing what you can do with cardboard, bin liners and black gaffer tape. I was pretty please with having turned off the sun until I awoke on the second day of filming to have Seb tell me over breakfast we needed to re-shoot a shot of Anna entering the house. The only shot we had shot at night because it required total darkness outside. So I finished my cereal, downed a coffee and got my black gaff out. The solution was to create a small boxed space around the frame of the door using cardboard and then seal the edges with black gaff and bin liners before draping a blanket over the whole creation to block any spill. The result was a totally black space just outside the door, just enough for Hermione to step out of and through the door. The greatest challenge but my proudest moment.

Greatest post production challenge?

Perfecting Colton. We had deliberately cast a younger Colton to make the film more endearing but we had naively not appreciated what we had sacrificed in doing so. Focus. An eight year old boy surrounded by lights and cameras all trained on him is very excitable and quickly bored; an unhealthy combination on set. This meant that while we had shot a lot we had very limited number of usable takes. And this was before we started looking at things like dialogue, continuity, eye lines etc. Editing and perfecting the performance therefore became a precise art – I fully appreciate why Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone has so many cuts now! Sitting with Seb and watching rushes, deciding how many frames of which takes we could use and then trying to weave them together into one performance - that was the biggest challenge in post. Without an emotive story arc a film is nothing.

Highlight of the shoot?

Grading in one of the theatre’s at Molinare. Seeing the film projected and fine tuning the look of the film was ridiculously exciting. Knowing that I had helped bring the words of the script to life on screen was simply magical. I remember turning to Seb and not being able to explain quite how I felt, it was like an extended moment of pure happiness and excitement. You can read Seb's blog about the grading process here.

Special Mention

I’d also like to give a special mention to Romy Ahluwalia, not because she’s my sister but because she is brilliant. She excels as both an actress and an artist and this combination proved highly potent. Her production design is such a huge part of this film and is informed entirely by character. Colton’s presence permeates every shot and she was responsible from everything you see at the picnic down to the cartoon drawings and the animation backdrops. It was wonderful to see her discovering another facet of her incredible talent. You can read Romy's production design blog here.