Jason Maza | |
---|---|
Born | London, England |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2001–present |
Spouse | Lowri Whitwell (m. 2023) |
Website | jasonmaza.com |
Jason Maza is an English actor, producer, director and screenwriter.
Maza grew up in Romford. He began acting at seven years of age.[1]
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.
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]
In 2023, Maza co-wrote and executive produced Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance.[28][29]
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]
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 |
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 |
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 |