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Jason Maza

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jason Maza
Born
London, England
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film producer
  • director
  • screenwriter
Years active2001–present
SpouseLowri Whitwell (m. 2023)
Websitejasonmaza.com

Jason Maza is an English actor, producer, director and screenwriter.

Early life

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Maza grew up in Romford. He began acting at seven years of age.[1]

Career

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Early work

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Maza was accepted to the Central School of Speech and Drama, but at that time, he was already working as an actor so decided not to attend.[2]

Maza starred in the 2007 film Special People, which received attention for its portrayal of people with disabilities.[3][4][5] In 2010, Maza was part of the original cast of Sucker Punch, the award-winning play written by Roy Williams, at the Royal Court Theatre in London, starring alongside Daniel Kaluuya and Anthony Welsh in the production.[6] Maza’s other early roles include parts in the police procedural series The Bill, the medical drama Casualty, the detective series A Touch of Frost,[7] and the crime drama film Welcome to the Punch.[8]

Although primarily an actor, Maza began work as a film producer in 2011, setting up Think Big Productions.[9] His early productions included the slasher film Demons Never Die, starring Tulisa Contostavlos,[10] and the comedy film The Hooligan Factory in 2013,[11] both of which he also starred in.

Partnership with Noel Clarke and Unstoppable Film and Television

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In 2015, Maza teamed up with Noel Clarke, launching Unstoppable Film and Television as co-CEO.[12] In 2018, Unstoppable joined the All3Media Group, forming Unstoppable Film & Television, with Clarke and Maza stating: "With the full support of All3Media we’re aiming to build on our work so far, finding new talent and creating authentic drama for the widest possible audience."[13]

As part of Unstoppable, Maza co-produced a range of films and television shows with Clarke and starred in several, including Brotherhood, 10x10,[14] Songbird, and Twist, a loose adaptation of Oliver Twist starring Michael Caine and Rita Ora,[15][16] and thriller drama series The Drowning, in which he played D.S. Harvey.[17][18]

Other projects Maza appeared during this period included the television drama Dark Heart[19] and the sports drama Cagefighter.[20] He also appeared in the BBC comedy series Man Like Mobeen.[21]

Maza and his partner Noel Clarke were both suspended by All3Media Group in April 2021 after the misconduct allegations against Clarke.[22][23] Filming of Sky One’s British police-drama Bulletproof, in which Maza was starring, was suspended when the allegations surfaced, and cancelled a few weeks later.[24] On 21 July 2021, Maza formally left the production company Unstoppable Film and Television.[25][26][27]

Recent work

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In 2023, Maza co-wrote and executive produced Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance.[28][29]

Personal life

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Maza has a brother, Taylor, who is also an actor.[30] In June 2023 Maza married Lowri Whitwell.[31][32]

Maza cites Ray Winstone as one of his favorite actors and biggest inspirations, "If you look what he has achieved, he started off as a working class British film actor to a big star in Hollywood. We’re from similar backgrounds as well as the same area so I suppose I can relate to him. If I have half the career he has I’ll be very happy".[2]

Credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Pit Popey Short film
2007 Sugarhouse Crack Punter
Life and Lyrics Ant
Hush Your Mouth Leo
Rise of the Footsoldier Rob
Special People Dave
My Boy Jack Journalist Television film
Souljah Tony Short film
Octane Kelvin
2008 Hunger House Peter Short film
Ten Dead Men Franklin Boulder
Shifty Malik
2009 Dog Endz Nathaniel Television film
Fish Tank Liam
2010 Fit Tyler
KickOff Adam
2011 Terry N/A Producer
The Tapes Danny Also producer
Wheels of Fortune Richard Short film; also co-writer
Hard to Say Dan Short film
Anuvahood Darren
Demons Never Die Kenny Also producer
2012 Victim Mannie
The Man Inside Danny Lee
Outside Bet Mickey
The Man Inside Danny Lee
Truth or Dare Jonesy
Payback Season — Executive producer
The Knot Ralphus
2013 Still Waters George
Welcome to the Punch Luke
Get Lucky Eli
Traveller Felix
The Hooligan Factory Danny Also producer
2015 Legacy Roland
Scottish Mussel — Producer
Billy the Kid — Short film; executive producer
Angel George
2016 Brotherhood Daley Also producer
2018 The Sound — Short film; executive producer
Wild Honey Pie! — Producer
Alright Now —
The Fight —
The Little Princess — Short film; producer
10x10 Officer Wayland Also producer
2019 Keep Breathing — Short film; producer
Doggerland —
Birthday Girl —
Tracks —
2020 Twist Bedwin Also producer
2020 The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud[33] Space Witch
2021 Music, Trial and Trauma The Manager Short film; Also writer, producer
2023 Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance — Co-writer and executive producer
TBA Far Out Far In Sherbert Currently in production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Life Begins Student
Holby City Kris Burrows Episode: 'Test Your Metal/A Great Leap Forward'
Casualty@Holby City Kris Burrows 4 episodes
2008 New Tricks Hoodie Episode: 'Couldn't Organise One'
2009 Trial & Retribution Darren Lewis Episode: 'Tracks: Part 1'
A Touch of Frost John Heal
The Unsinkable Titanic Harold Bride TV movie documentary
Casualty "H"
2010 The Bill Dean Pollit
Whitechapel Dan Street Series 2, episode 1
2011 Come Fly with Me Plumber
Silk Chris Lakeman
2014 The Crimson Field Pte Benny Gorman Series 1, episode 5
2015 Silent Witness Johnny Craddock Episode: "Protection" (2 parts)
Nurse Jack 3 episodes
2016 Call the Midwife Johnny Beckett
2017 Man Like Mobeen Robbie Episode: 'H-ALTRight'
2018 Dark Heart Rob Mullan 4 episodes
2018–2021 Bulletproof Chris Munroe Also producer
2020 Hitmen The Dealer Episode: 'Birthday '
The Drowning D.S Harvey Also executive producer

Theatre

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Year Title Theatre
2008 Flight Path by David Watson Bush Theatre
2009 Mad Blud by Philip Osment[34] Theatre Royal Stratford East
2010 Sucker Punch by Roy Williams[35] Royal Court Theatre
2012 Fear by Dominic Savage Bush Theatre

References

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  1. ^ "Romford actor, Jason Maza's film career is set to take off with movie for Halloween". Romford Recorder. 25 August 2011. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Moore, Camille (24 June 2020). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Jason Maza". tvovermind.com. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. ^ Elley, Derek (2 September 2007). "Special People". Variety. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Director's anger over comedy film's 'disability' warning". The Independent. 16 November 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Exposing prejudice in Special People". Evening Standard. 10 April 2012. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Sucker Punch". Royal Court Theatre. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  7. ^ Reporter, River (1 November 2011). "Jason Maza to star in teen slasher Demons Never Die". River Online. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Movie star Strong on guns message". Independent.ie. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Think Big Productions Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Romford actor, Jason Maza's film career is set to take off with movie for Halloween". Romford Recorder. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  11. ^ "The Hooligan Factory, film review: Little to distinguish spoof from". The Independent. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  12. ^ "UNSTOPPABLE FILM AND TELEVISION LIMITED". GOV.UK. Companies House. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  13. ^ Clarke, Stewart (26 February 2018). "All3Media Backs Noel Clarke's Unstoppable Film and TV". Variety. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  14. ^ "10x10 Trailer Unravels the Secret Behind a Mysterious Abduction". MovieWeb. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Twist". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Buzzing to share with you the trailer to TWIST. We wanted to deliver something feel good and fun, enjoy". Twitter. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  17. ^ "Where is The Drowning filmed? Channel 5 series' filming locations in Ireland and Dublin revealed". yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. 21 February 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  18. ^ Duke, Simon (1 February 2021). "The Drowning cast as Jill Halfpenny leads new Channel 5 thriller". ChronicleLive. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  19. ^ "ITV's Dark Heart viewers think something's a bit off". Digital Spy. 7 November 2018. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  20. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (28 January 2019). "Michael Jai White, Gina Gershon & MMA Fighters Limber Up For Sports Pic 'Cagefighter'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  21. ^ Little, Harriet Fitch (15 December 2017). "Man Like Mobeen — exceptionally funny character comedy". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Noel Clarke Suspended From All3Media-Backed Production Outfit Unstoppable Film & Television". Deadline. 30 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  23. ^ Grater, Tom (28 March 2022). "Noel Clarke: UK Police No Longer Investigating Sexual Harassment Claims". Deadline. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  24. ^ Ravindran, Manori (21 May 2021). "Sky Cancels 'Bulletproof' Following Noel Clarke Sexual Misconduct Allegations (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Unstoppable Film and Television Limited - People". Gov.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  26. ^ "Noel Clarke Officially Out From His All3Media-Backed Production Company". BBC News. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  27. ^ "Noel Clarke leaves production company Unstoppable after misconduct allegations". Sky News. 3 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Rise of the Footsoldier" Vengeance". IMDb. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  29. ^ Felperin, Leslie (15 September 2023). "Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance review – super-stabby sequel a cut above its predecessors". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  30. ^ "Taylor Maza, actor". IMDb. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  31. ^ "One month till I get married. Any advice?". Twitter. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  32. ^ "My wedding speech. There are very few times in life you get to stand up in front of a room full of people and tell them how you feel about your wife. Writing this speech was tough because it was always going to be impossible to do Lowri justice but I gave it a bloody good go. Can't believe this was 1 month today". Twitter. 9 July 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  33. ^ "Nerdly » 'The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud' Review". Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Mad Blud – 18th February 2009 – 28th February 2009". Theatre Royal Stratford East. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  35. ^ "Sucker Punch". Royal Court Theatre. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
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