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

Early life

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

Career

Early work

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

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

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

Personal life

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

Film

Television

Theatre