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.

Secret Diary of a Call Sheet - Casualty

Q&A with Jassa about his recent guest appearance in Casualty.

Secret Diary of a Call Sheet, what’s in a title?

A call sheet is the term used for a document created by an assistant director and distributed to all cast and crew on a production. It outlines where and when everyone has to be and what scenes are to be filmed that day. They’re fascinating and frequently revealing documents. At a 007 exhibition at The Barbican Centre recently I saw an original call sheet from Dr. No; I discovered Sean Connery was lucky enough to get his costume and make up done at his hotel before travelling to set! I like to keep call sheets from jobs I’ve done as souvenirs – they remind me of little details I'd otherwise forget.

When did you audition?

Let me check…Friday 25th May 2012. It was only a few days before I was due to head out to Morocco to start on a new American TV thing (which I still can't talk about). So I was ridiculously excited about that but the audition was also at BBC Television Centre. I’d been there a few times before but it’s such an iconic building, I remember it featuring a lot on Blue Peter when I was a kid; it’s always a treat to get to visit in a professional capacity.

So you were excited about the audition?

Hell yes! And then I bumped into Alice (Felgate) who I’d just finished working with on Some Girls. There was something about that familiarity that gave me a great sense of relaxed confidence.

Obviously that worked in your favour…

Seems it did!

So how did you react when you found out you had got the part?

Overjoyed. I remember I was in my hotel room in Morocco when I got the call and I was jumping around all over the place. It the first time I’d be coming off a job and straight into another and it was Casualty! The British seal of approval for any aspiring actor!

So what was it like being directed by Graeme Harper?

Effortless. He's the only person to have directed the original and revived series of Doctor Who and that kind of experience shows. Far from him knowing exactly what he wanted and how he wanted it he moulded each scene by giving us the freedom to try things as we rehearsed. He'd then tweak the scenes slightly to fit in with the overarching story. I felt like I was being trusted with my character and guided rather than directed (does that make sense!?). I guess that's why he gets so involved in the casting process.

The character you play, Bart Nowak, is Polish. Was the language challenging?

It was far more challenging than I had originally thought. I studied Russian at university and I speak Punjabi so I’m comfortable with producing different sounds. But with Polish…where are the vowels!? Fortunately I had the chance to spend some time with a Polish guy. He made sure my pronunciation was up to scratch. Being linguistically aware was crucial though. Things like case agreement which we don’t (strictly) have in English were sometimes missing in the script. That kind of attention to detail is important to me. I also took particular pride in mispronouncing “conjunctivitis” when I auditioned. Graeme joked on set that that was the only reason I got the part.

What was it like visiting the studios for the first time?

Surreal! It was a weird combination of awe and distrust. It was amazing walking around what looked to be a regular working hospital. And then I’d see the doctors and nurses walking about and I’d be thinking “but you’re not actually medical professionals! This is wrong!” It was like being stuck inside a dream that keeps tricking you. There were signs that would lead to doors that opened onto brick walls.

In this episode you end up in Casualty (for the second time) after running into a burning building. How was that filmed?

The building was set on fire. I ran into it. That’s essentially it. The fire was all controlled using gas and non-lethal smoke was pumped in but for the moment when I actually entered the building through the flames I was wearing a fire resistant version of my costume and had a very cold protective gel rubbed onto my face and hands. I was actually quite thankful to get inside the building that day. It was freezing outside!

So it wasn’t that scary?

Well, I joke, but when Daniel (Casey) had to carry me out of the building the fire was very intense and the smoke was very thick. I remember waiting to hear “action” through the deafening roar of the fire and not being able to see anything through the smoke but the glow of flames…that was a moment at which I thought to myself “I never want to be in this position for real”. I could sense I was treading a fine line between excitement and genuine terror.

You mention Daniel Casey, what was he like to work with?

Absolutely incredible! I grew up watching Midsomer Murders and I couldn't believe I was actually going to get to work with him. I called my mum and dad actually when I got the script and shouted down the phone, “I get to punch Sergeant Troy!!!” We shared quite a few physical scenes and there was no pretending involved, he really went for it and I had to respond to that. He actually shoved me so hard on one take that I fell over backwards in the mud. I didn’t dare break character but instead came back stronger. Those kinds of experiences are hugely rewarding as an actor. The costume department were less amused.

Your burns look pretty severe, how long did they take to do?

At least an hour in make-up if not more, depending on how much was being seen that day. When I first visited the studios for my make up test and I saw the burns being applied it was a weird psychological experience. They looked so real that I couldn't quite figure out why they weren't hurting. That's not to say it was comfortable. After Daniel and I had taken photos of each other and sent them to our families the novelty soon wore off. The stuff they use to tighten your skin is particularly unpleasant after several hours.

Casualty is now filmed in Cardiff at the same studios as Doctor Who. Did you meet the Doctor?

I was always on the look out but sadly no. Russell T Davies' new show for CBBC, Wizards vs Aliens, was filming there as well though and I got to know Scott Haran and Percelle Ascot. They tried to sneak me onto their sets but our schedules always clashed. The show looks incredible and starts on Monday 29th October at 5.15pm.

Finally, what was the highlight of the whole experience?

Just being a part of such an established and respected series. It's heritage is insane! It's the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world and it's where people like Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Eccleston, Ray Winstone and David Walliams all started out. I can't help but be incredibly excited for the future.

Jassa moves to Independent Talent

Jassa is now represented by Will Hollinshead at Independent Talent, Europe’s leading talent agency.

“It was while doing my work experience at Independent, then ICM London, that I discovered my desire to work in film and TV. This desire quickly became an obsession and I vowed I would one day be a client there. This is the realisation of a teenage dream and I'm incredibly excited by the new opportunities and potential this move brings to my career.”

Jassa was formerly represented by Samantha How at Simon & How Associates.

“I am extremely grateful for all the fantastic work Sam and everyone at Simon & How have done for me ever since they took me on. I was an unknown, untrained, seventeen-year-old aspiring actor and they helped me to build the foundations of my career. I will never forget that. We continue to enjoy an amicable professional relationship.”

For details about how to get in touch with Jassa’s agent visit the Contact page.

Jassa to guest star in BBC's Casualty

Just over a week ago Jassa returned from filming an incredible new project in Morocco (to be announced) before playing a gig in his hometown of Leicester on Friday, and then moving to London over the weekend. Things show no sign of slowing down.

No sooner than he’d had time to unpack in his new place Jassa began filling his bags once more to spend the next few weeks in Cardiff, shooting an episode of Casualty. Jassa is due to start filming tomorrow at the BBC’s Roath Lock studios in Cardiff Bay. Broadcast is scheduled for late October.

Jassa is appearing as a guest lead in an episode directed by Graeme Harper. Graeme is best known for his work on Doctor Who and is the only person to have directed episodes of both the original series and the revived run.

Casualty is the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. A survey published by Radio Times magazine in March 2004 revealed that Casualty has featured more future stars than any other UK soap or drama series. Actors who appeared in the show prior to becoming major successes include Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom, Minnie Driver, Christopher Eccleston, Parminder Nagra, Ray Winstone and David Walliams.

“Appearing in Casualty feels like I’ve been given a stamp of approval as a British actor! I didn’t think I’d get that after The Bill shut up shop. I’ve got a great part in a great episode with an exceptionally experienced director. I’m also really looking forward to the challenge of the role; it’s unlike anything else I’ve done so far. I hope I can continue to follow in the footsteps of the many talented people who have come before me.” - Jassa

Quite what the challenge will be remains to be seen. Casualty is a BBC Cymru Wales production and is broadcast on BBC One.

Jassa wraps on Some Girls for BBC Three/Hat Trick Productions

Jassa has just finished filming in South London on Some Girls, a vibrant new comedy series for BBC Three from Hat Trick Productions. The series consists of six half-hour episodes. It is due to air late summer this year.

"Working alongside fellow up and coming actors as well as established names, on and behind the camera, and with such a hilarious script has been a real privilege. It took several read throughs before I could stop laughing and even then I got caught out a few times on set. Watching the series come to life has been a phenomenal experience. I've learnt so much and I'm incredibly proud to be a part of Some Girls." Jassa.

Some Girls is about the lives and loves of an odd-bod group of 16-year-old school girls who are on the same football team. They live in and out of each others' dramas at school and at home, where they all live on the same grim estate. They struggle against teachers, boys, sex, puberty and gossip - very little of which is about football.

At the heart of the comedy is Viva (Adelayo Adedayo, Skins), whose ambition is to “stay motivated” and become a top child psychologist on Living. In the meantime she’s happy analysing her friends and a certain boy she meets, Rocky (Jassa Ahluwalia). His charisma and cheeky arrogance make him extremely fanciable but he has a history of getting into fights. Despite being a good girl, Viva is very attracted to Rocky, but also finds him a little intimidating.

Viva lives with her Dad Rob (Colin Salmon, Rev, Todd Margaret, James Bond, Resident Evil) who is “hot for an old guy” and her stepmother Anna (Dolly Wells, Spy, Star Stories, Campus), a New Zealander who also happens to be Viva's sadistic PE teacher. Viva is great friends with Holli (Natasha Jonas, Attack the Block) whose entertaining, violent outbursts are legendary. Saz (Mandeep Dhillon, Some Dogs Bite) and Amber (Alice Felgate, The Cabin) complete the gang. They talk about everything from history homework to the weirdness of foreskins to their ambitions in life. They share everything: their clothes, their moods, their secrets and - occasionally - their mothers' tranquillisers.

Some Girls is among the first Comedy Commissions from BBC Three Controller Zai Bennett who comments:

“BBC Three is the channel that breaks new comedy in the UK. Our mission is not only to make our audiences laugh, but also to make them think. We are delighted that Some Girls is joining our already exciting stable of comedy.”

Producer Justin Davies adds: 

“Some Girls is laugh out loud, a snapshot of four underdogs.   It is an unadulterated celebration of teenage life; messy, sexy and a little bit wrong – but always lots of fun.”

Some Girls is written by Bernadette Davis who co-created and wrote the 1990's hit Game On. It is produced by Justin Davies (Absolutely Fabulous, Beautiful People, Psychoville) and directed by Adam Miller (Mongrels). The Executive Producer is Helen Williams (Spy, The Armstrong & Miller Show, Fonejacker). It is a Hat Trick Production for BBC Three.

The value of the arts and the power of children’s TV

I saw this photo of a show report being shared on Twitter recently and it resonated with me instantly. I had had a similar experience while playing Aladdin over the festive period. During the run I had the privilege to go out front after each performance and meet families who had come to see the show. Seeing the sheer wonder in children’s eyes as they came out of the auditorium was truly magical. It also gave me the opportunity to speak to Art Attack fans which usually entailed an extremely excitable (or equally shy) child telling me about art attacks they had made at home. Such encounters were typically followed by a parent holding me responsible for paint stains on their new carpet. I met some lovely people and was touched to know that I had become a small part of their lives.

One story however really stood out, will remain with me forever and came straight into my head when I saw the above photo. It comes from Michelle Adamson-Mitchell. I first spoke to her on Twitter before meeting her after a performance along with her children, Lochlan and Maddison. I found what she told me so moving that I got in touch with Michelle recently to find out more. She has very kindly agreed to share her family’s story in her own words:

Maddison wasn't sleeping, eating, walking or talking by the age of two but she was extremely OCD; everything had to be the same way every single time and if it wasn't she would completely freak out as if it was the end of the world. Apart from me, her brother and my mam, dad and brother she couldn't be around anyone without having panic attacks. After a year of doctors and health visitors saying that it was stress related, due to my ex husband’s alcoholism and violence and leaving 3 months before she was born, they came to the conclusion that she was more than likely autistic. I disagreed with until I was blue in the face.

There's only 15 months age difference between her and her brother, Lochlan, and he has always been very protective of her and did everything for her. So when he started full time school she started improving very slowly. She's always loved nothing more than having a pencil/pen and paper and drawing for hours. Then I saw the publicity for you being the new presenter of Art Attack and I remembered how much I loved the show when I was a child. I must add here that I did try her with Neil and she didn't like him, ha ha J.  I sat her down with me on your very first show and it was the longest she'd ever been quiet since she'd been born!

I recorded the shows for her and my parents did the same and that was all she ever watched. She still does now but recites them word for word, which shows how much you are on our TV! She started half day nursery when she was three and she didn't say more than a barely audible yes or no to her teacher for the first six months. I told her teacher to do something arty with her. When I picked her up her teacher was in tears; she couldn't believe that something as simple as stencils had worked!

Maddison turned five in September and is now in full time school and excelling at art. According to her teacher her skills are that of a nine year old. I took her to the doctors in October for chickenpox issues and they still referred her back to the autism specialists. The specialists said that she was so far from being autistic that it was a waste of time being there; she is just a very shy little girl. That is until you sit her down with her art and craft box and she'll show you something that 'her Jassa' showed her how to make. Yes my friend, you now belong to a five year old. Ha ha J. She's now caught up with everything and is a regular five year old girl, which wouldn't have been the case if it wasn't for you.  You've helped the three of us more than you'll ever know and it was an honour to get to meet you and let you know her story. xo xo xo

To be a part of a show that can inspire a child so profoundly is incredibly rewarding. This is a true testament to the value of the arts and the power of children’s TV.

You can follow Michelle on Twitter @____Shelby____

Jassa x

Jassa to attend the London premiere of Resistance

On Sunday 20th November, Jassa will be attending the London premiere of Resistance at the Curzon Mayfair. Jassa provided vocal performances in Russian for the film that looks set to dominate independent cinema screens across the nation.

With the film boasting a fine selection of British stars, including Michael Sheen, Andrea Riseborough, Iwan Rheon (Misfits) and Stanislav Ianevski (Krum in Harry Potter), the premiere promises to be a star studded occasion.

Fittingly HRH the Prince of Wales will be attending the Welsh premiere the following day.

Resistance is set in an alternative 1944, the D-Day Landings have failed, Germany has invaded and Britain is now under enemy occupation. In the Olchon Valley, a group of Welsh farmers’ wives wake up one morning to find their husbands have vanished. As they await the men’s return the women work together to keep things going. But as the winter sets in a patrol of German soldiers arrives, forcing the women to confront the fine line that lies between resistance and collaboration.

Though the powerful big name performances and stunning snow covered scenery may have you believe otherwise, Resistance is not a big budget production. The integrity and authenticity of the film comes from the acute attention to detail. This was where Jassa came in; he provided the voices of various Russian partisans.

Jassa studied Russian at University College London, the top university in the country for Slavonic and Eastern European studies. During his time in Russia and at UCL Jassa found that the grammar was among the most complex of any living language but reading and the accent came to him quite easily. Many of the sounds in Russian are similar to sounds used in Punjabi* and both languages use non-Latin alphabets. As a result Jassa can perform very convincingly in Russian. The combined efforts of details such as these lend Resistance its big budget production value which has been making headlines.

Resistance is out in selected cinemas on 25th November.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/resistancemovie

*to discover more about Jassa's heritage visit Biography