An actor with disabilities from Hertfordshire has landed a major role in Channel 5's Finders Keepers.
The series premiered at 9pm yesterday (Wednesday, January 17) and sees Thom Jackson-Wood take on the role of Josh.
Neil Morrissey of Waterloo Road and Line of Duty fame, Fay Ripley of Cold Feet and The Inbetweeners star James Buckley also feature.
Thom, from Ware, has previously appeared in Casualty¸ Jerk and Celebrity Juice. He also performed in the London 2012 Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
In Finders Keepers, he will play the son of Martin (Neil Morrissey), who is a non-verbal wheelchair user requiring full-time care.
Despite using a wheelchair in real life due to severe fibromyalgia and being neurodivergent since birth, Thom found this role "challenging" but relished the opportunity.
He said: "Being unable to walk or talk, Josh could have easily been a very passive or tragic character, but I wanted to make him engaging to watch.
"I’m hoping that audiences will see and enjoy his personality - much like Gromit from Wallace and Gromit, Josh doesn’t speak, but he has the best lines.
“I’m neurodivergent in real life, but most of the roles I’ve played have been wheelchair users who are neurotypical.
"This is the first neurodivergent character I’ve played onscreen. It’s great that more opportunities are being created for disabled actors, but in my opinion, we still need more of them.
“I’ve known and worked with a number of non-verbal disabled people through my work with Herts Inclusive Theatre, so I’m familiar with some of the struggles they face, but wearing Josh’s shoes gave me a whole new appreciation for the work they have to do to be heard.
SUGGESTED READING
-
Only Fools and Horses star Sir David Jason reveals first job
-
3 stars who have appeared at Welwyn Garden City's Campus West
“I won’t spoil the story, but Josh becomes Martin and Anne’s conscience, as the difference between right and wrong gets more blurred.
"He’s a catalyst that gives them permission to do bad things, because they believe it’s for the right reasons.”
Further information about Finders Keepers can be found at: www.channel5.com/show/finders-keepers
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here