Jessica Henwick
Encyclopedia
Jessica Yu Li Henwick is a British-born Eurasian actress. Her debut role was in the 2010 CBBC
television programme Spirit Warriors
, as the lead character Bo.
She is the first East Asian actress to play the lead role in a BBC series.
from the age of 11 to 16, where she took lessons in acting, singing and dancing from the age of 12, as well as taking part in LAMDA Examinations. She went on to train at Redroofs Theatre School
and the prestigious National Youth Theatre
of Great Britain. During her training, Henwick took part in several plays and musicals.
She also secured some minor television appearances
and modelling campaigns.
, it was announced in June 2009 that Henwick had been cast in the lead role of Bo.
For the role, Henwick trained in wushu with martial arts choreographer Jude Poyer. She also had to cut her long hair into a short bob, to make her seem more masculine.
The show was nominated for several awards, including the Broadcast Awards 2011, and Henwick was shortlisted for the Best Lead at the Children's BAFTA 2011.
Following Spirit Warriors, Henwick starred in the short film Plastic opposite Dexter Fletcher
, which was submitted to the 2010 BFI Future Film Festival. She also appeared in several other projects due to be released in 2011.
In the autumn of 2011, Henwick was recorded in the role of Helen for the second season of the BBC radio play North by Northamptonshire, starring Geoffrey Palmer
, Sheila Hancock
and Mackenzie Crook
, to be broadcast in 2012.
CBBC
CBBC is one of two brand names used for the BBC's children's television strands. Between 1985 and 2002, CBBC was the name given to all the BBC's programmes on TV for children aged under 14...
television programme Spirit Warriors
Spirit Warriors (TV series)
Spirit Warriors is an award-winning BBC children's adventure series, broadcast on BBC Two, BBC HD and CBBC. It is the first British television drama series to have a predominantly East Asian cast....
, as the lead character Bo.
She is the first East Asian actress to play the lead role in a BBC series.
Early life
Jessica Henwick studied at Collingwood College, SurreyCollingwood College, Surrey
Collingwood College is a state secondary school located in Camberley, Surrey, England for 11-18 year olds.-Admissions:It is one of the best secondary schools in Surrey, and the third biggest in the UK, with over 2000 pupils, including more than 400 in the Sixth Form...
from the age of 11 to 16, where she took lessons in acting, singing and dancing from the age of 12, as well as taking part in LAMDA Examinations. She went on to train at Redroofs Theatre School
Redroofs Theatre School
Redroofs Theatre School is an independent theatre training school in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.The school was established in 1947 in London and moved to Littlewick Green in 1964 into a house that was once the home of Ivor Novello. The school currently has two bases in Maidenhead, and two...
and the prestigious National Youth Theatre
National Youth Theatre
The National Youth Theatre is a registered charity in London, Great Britain, committed to creative, personal and social development of young people through the medium of creative arts....
of Great Britain. During her training, Henwick took part in several plays and musicals.
She also secured some minor television appearances
and modelling campaigns.
Career
After several months of auditioning by the BBC for the show Spirit WarriorsSpirit Warriors (TV series)
Spirit Warriors is an award-winning BBC children's adventure series, broadcast on BBC Two, BBC HD and CBBC. It is the first British television drama series to have a predominantly East Asian cast....
, it was announced in June 2009 that Henwick had been cast in the lead role of Bo.
For the role, Henwick trained in wushu with martial arts choreographer Jude Poyer. She also had to cut her long hair into a short bob, to make her seem more masculine.
The show was nominated for several awards, including the Broadcast Awards 2011, and Henwick was shortlisted for the Best Lead at the Children's BAFTA 2011.
Following Spirit Warriors, Henwick starred in the short film Plastic opposite Dexter Fletcher
Dexter Fletcher
Dexter Fletcher is an English actor. He is best known for his role in Guy Ritchie film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as well as television roles in such shows as the dramedy Hotel Babylon, the critically acclaimed HBO series Band of Brothers and earlier in his career, the children's show...
, which was submitted to the 2010 BFI Future Film Festival. She also appeared in several other projects due to be released in 2011.
In the autumn of 2011, Henwick was recorded in the role of Helen for the second season of the BBC radio play North by Northamptonshire, starring Geoffrey Palmer
Geoffrey Palmer
Sir Geoffrey Winston Russell Palmer, KCMG, AC, SC , served as the 33rd Prime Minister of New Zealand from August 1989 until September 1990, leading the Fourth Labour Government...
, Sheila Hancock
Sheila Hancock
Sheila Cameron Hancock, CBE is an English actress and author.-Early life:Sheila Hancock was born in Blackgang on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of Ivy Louise and Enrico Cameron Hancock, who was a publican. Her sister Billie is seven years older...
and Mackenzie Crook
Mackenzie Crook
Paul Mackenzie Crook is a British actor and comedian. He is best known for playing Gareth Keenan in The Office and Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.-Life and career:...
, to be broadcast in 2012.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | My Life as a Popat My Life as a Popat My Life as a Popat follows the lives of an Indian family, through the eyes of their eldest son, Anand. The teenager fights a daily basis full of embarrassment. The second series brings a change to storyline, with brainbox Chetan Popat sometimes taking centre stage... |
||
| 2010 | Spirit Warriors Spirit Warriors (TV series) Spirit Warriors is an award-winning BBC children's adventure series, broadcast on BBC Two, BBC HD and CBBC. It is the first British television drama series to have a predominantly East Asian cast.... |
Bo | Series Lead |
| 2010 | St. Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold | ||
| 2010 | Ladies Night | Marcy | |
| 2011 | Plastic | Ellie | |
| 2011 | Glendragon | Jackie | |
| 2011 | North by Northamptonshire North by Northamptonshire North by Northamptonshire is a BBC Radio 4 comedy, written by Katherine Jakeways, that takes place in Northamptonshire. The first season was transmitted in the summer of 2010, and the second season is due to air between 2011 and 2012... |
Helen | Season 2 |
External links
- jessicahenwick.com, official website