Jason Maza

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]

• Official website
• Showreel
• Jason Maza at IMDb