Tommy Jessop

Tommy Jessop is a prominent British actor, noted for being the first actor with Down syndrome to star in a primetime BBC drama, tour professional theatres as "Hamlet," and become a full voting member of BAFTA. His groundbreaking contributions to the acting field have been recognized by BAFTA, with their prestigious BAFTA Elevate Scheme selecting him and a nomination for his performance in "Coming Down the Mountain" on BBC1. In 2021, Jessop was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Winchester. Beyond acting, Jessop has used his platform to raise awareness for Down syndrome, leading a 21-hour DanceAThon on World Down Syndrome Day each year and serving as an Ambassador to Mencap and the National Down Syndrome Policy Group.

Jessop's career spans multiple media, with a portfolio that includes feature films, award-winning short films, television, radio, and stage productions. His breakthrough role came in the BBC1 drama "Coming Down the Mountain," where he starred opposite Nicholas Hoult. Since then, Jessop's filmography has expanded to include roles in television series such as "Casualty," "Holby City," "Monroe," "Doctors," and, notably, the fifth and sixth series of "Line of Duty." He was also part of the TV series "Masters of the Air" produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and has made appearances in "Off Their Rockers" on ITV. On stage, Jessop was the first professional actor with Down syndrome to play the title role in "Hamlet," part of the Blue Apple Theatre's touring production, a company he is a founding member of.

Aside from acting, Jessop has won acclaim for his roles in short films such as "Fighter," which landed him the Best Actor award at the Oska Bright Film Festival, and has been featured in several documentaries, including Growing Up Down's and Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood. He also collaborated with his brother, Will Jessop, on numerous documentaries. In 2023, Jessop published his memoir "A Life Worth Living: Acting, Activism and Everything Else," providing insight into his life with Down syndrome and his journey in the acting industry. Jessop's contributions and his compelling work have been praised by critics and audiences alike, making him a significant figure in the industry.