This year, Jack Connor made his screen character debut playing Sam in Phoenix Rise and reunited with the cast for the show’s premiere at BAFTA in London. Jack works alongside a cast including the boiler room six (Lauren Corah, Alex Draper, Jayden Hanley, Krish Bassi, Tara Webb and Imogen Baker), and Series 2 of Phoenix Rise recently released on BBC Three and all episodes are currently streaming on iPlayer. It has been announced the show has been recommissioned for two further series, with a release date not yet confirmed. Having attended Birmingham Ormiston Academy on the musical theatre course, Jack since discovered a group called Inspire Actors Studios run by Michael Keogh, which led to him being spotted by Red Door Management and, within a couple of months, he had booked Phoenix Rise. Answering our questions, Jack talks about playing Sam in Phoenix Rise, what the series is like to film and how he got into acting.
You play Sam in Phoenix Rise, how would you describe the character and what is he like to play?
Sam is very confident, he knows what he wants and how he’s going to get it and is not afraid to step on toes to do so, he’s also very powerful in his personality, which was very fun to play around with. He’s just a great character to develop, I felt as though I had so much space to explore my character and just play around with things like line delivery and persona.
Was there anything that drew you to the series and how was it finding out you’d booked the role?
Even when initially auditioning I was excited, after reading through the scripts I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of, it felt so important to be a part of a show that was so diverse in its casting. I remember getting the phone call while I was at work, I quickly ran to a side office and I was elated at booking my first ever role, it felt like a massive step forward for me and so early on in my career, it was also a massively daunting prospect as I had little experience on sets or acting for a camera.
How did you prepare for playing Sam and how was it meeting the rest of the cast for the first time?
I felt as though me and Sam share some personality traits especially when it comes to our determination, this presented in different ways though! We had an acting coach early on in the rehearsal weeks for Series 1, they helped me explore how I wanted to present Sam and how to get the truest representation of him from me. I first met some of the cast at the recall auditions held in Coventry, although we didn’t know it at the time, and I clicked immediately with them. Following that, when I met everyone else at the first read-through, they were all so kind and accepting, we are really just one big family and three seasons on we all still talk every day.
How are you finding the experience filming as Sam for your first major character on screen and what do you enjoy about being on set?
I’ve had the best experience, the crew, production team and cast have all just been perfect, they managed to create a culture of acceptance not just on camera but in real time while filming too, you knew you could speak to anyone there and be listened to. I made so many friends on set and not just within the cast – you’re in such a close-knit group you can’t help but form connections with people. I’ve had many amazing conversations with people from the art department, costume department, lighting, sound, extras… I could go on and on, so absolutely, my favourite part about the entire process was the amazing people I met.
What has it been like seeing the fan response to Phoenix Rise and how did you feel watching the completed episodes?
I have had a few messages and comments from fans and it is really heartwarming to see the impact you can have on people. I think Phoenix sends a really strong message of acceptance into a world that really needs to hear it – I would hope that the show helps kids who are struggling with their identity, mental health etc find that little bit of hope that it does get better and where to go to find help.
What was it like attending the Phoenix Rise premiere earlier this year?
Fantastic! It was a surreal experience, talking to reporters and walking a red carpet, watching the first few episodes at BAFTA in London, it all just made the experience that much more amazing.
Series 2 has recently been released on BBC Three/iPlayer, why would you recommend watching Phoenix Rise?
As I’ve said previously, it really does send out a message of acceptance and love. I think watching it will give people an escape and a safe space if they need one, even if it is for a couple of hours. I love seeing the episodes stitched together and the story coming to life. It’s a nice and proud feeling to see all your hard work and long hours developed into such an amazing show.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into the industry?
I have been performing for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is performing as a policeman in a play at my local theatre group when I was young and then going on to play Lysander in my year 6 production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream… the musical! From there, I fell in love with being on stage, I was in the school’s production every year at high school, the productions and drama class are the only two things I remember enjoying in school! I remember distinctly the closing night of my year 11 show – Little Shop of Horrors. I was playing Seymour and, at the end, a little girl came up to me and asked for my picture, then the following year my friend and I went back to watch that year’s show and to see our old teachers, the same girl came up to me at the end and said “you’re the reason I auditioned this year” and from then I knew that this was what I wanted to do.
Can you tell us about your acting training?
I became serious about wanting to be a professional actor when I joined college so I attended Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) on the musical theatre course. I completed two years of study with a triple distinction grade and decided after a lot of self-taping and essays that uni and drama school wasn’t for me, so I took a year out. After my friends had then all started uni or drama school, I felt very lonely and was fearing I’d made the wrong decision, until I found a group called Inspire Actors Studio, run by Michael Keogh. So, I joined and it instantly felt right. From there, within a couple of months I had an agent, and within a couple more I had booked Phoenix Rise, so Inspire was like my saving grace!
Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?
I’ve been given some really great advice from some amazing people. A lot of it I learned at Inspire and some I had to figure out on my own, but if I was to impart anything it would be: stay true to who you are and if you get knocked down get back up. This industry can be a harsh place if you let it get to you. I think the best advice I was given is once you’ve sent that self-tape off, forget about it, it doesn’t do well to dwell, so long as you put your all into each tape, there’s little more you can do – oh! And stay professional! If you do land a role, you have to remember it’s still a job and you never know who’s watching, first impressions always count!
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I love the classics! Classic films is what peaked my interest in filmmaking, my absolute all-time favourite film is The Devil Wears Prada and I think I may have imbued Sam with a little bit of Miranda Priestly energy! I also love a good Western on a Sunday afternoon!
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend most of my free time with my dog and best friend Amelia. We both work a lot so whenever we have a free day together, we go for lunch and coffee and usually find a nice place to walk the dog. When I’m not doing that or I want a bit of downtime to myself, I enjoy reading and playing my Xbox, I love driving and exploring new places as well as spending time with my family!
Do you have a favourite aspect of working as an actor and filming for screen?
My favourite aspect of working as an actor would definitely be the freedom of the job. I am very, very lucky to be able to do what I love as my job. I love taking a script and hearing the lines in my head and picturing how I’d do it in my head.
How was it hearing that Phoenix Rise has been recommissioned for Series 3 and 4 and what are you hoping the next few months bring for you?
Very exciting! I’m so glad the show will continue on, there are so many more stories to be told, I look forward to seeing the new series! For myself, I’m looking forward to any new project that comes my way, I love this industry and it is my passion. I’d love to try some new variations of characters and meet lots of new and amazing people along the way!
Follow Jack on: