Interview for Wokenwell

Landing a role as an injured soldier in the Oscar winning 'The English Patient', and getting a screen kiss from Juliette Binoche, is just one of the latest highlights in Jason Done's career. "It was incredible. I was so scared when I turned up in Italy to film the scene and met director Anthony Minghella for the first time. But he was so down to earth and made me very proud to be involved. I also recently did the London premiere of a new Sam Shepherd play called 'States of Shock' which really got my adrenaline going. That was just before 'Wokenwell', and I feel spoilt now. It's quite a privileged position to be in.'

Jason plays PC Brian Rainford, who is devoted to his wife Fran but who often frustrates her with his lack of ambition.

"Brian is no Robert DeNiro. He's not cool. But you feel like he exists. It was a novelty to play a genuinely three dimensional character who is basically happy with what life has thrown at him. Usually a young couple in their early twenties, married with a baby, would be portrayed as out of work, struggling on the breadline and at each other's throats. But Brian and Fran aren't like that. It's more unusual to represent those young parents out there who are happy with their situation, despite their problems."

Jason has found himself playing T.V. policemen in the past. "I once got to play a copper in 'Coronation Street', which was a great experience. It's funny really, when they dropped the minimum height restriction I became 'Local PC'. I don't know what it is... maybe I've got a trustworthy face."

But there was a lot more behind getting his role in 'Wokenwell'. Jason is thoughtful about why he was chosen for the part of Brian. "I suppose there's quite a lot of pressure on young actors to be cool. It's often harder to show weakness and compassion. As well as comedy, Brian is involved in some serious storylines. He has to cope when his wife is suffering from severe post natal depression. I hope I managed to make those scenes believable.”

But Jason is keen not to see Brian labelled as a romantic wimp. "My favourite scenes, I think, are where we see another side to Brian. He's sensitive and nice and at one with himself but, if you cross the line with him, he's not someone who'll be trodden on."

"Later on in the series we find that when it comes to his family, he'll defend them with his life. It's in the scenes where he has to protect his baby that you see a bit of aggression and fire in his belly."

According to Jason, 'Wokenwell's' secret lies in its simplicity. "It's good to get a script where people really talk to each other in a naturalistic way. You can believe what they are saying to each other. It's very simple, really - just well observed. As a younger member of the cast, I especially love the scenes between the older couple, Duncan and June. It shows we're all the same, with the same problems, whatever age group we're from."

After 'Wokenwell', Jason would like to go on to play a very different role. "'Wokenwell' was extremely enjoyable to make and we laughed every day during the filming. I think in the future I would like to do something really dark and play the angry young man - something more removed from my own personality. A really evil character. 'Wokenwell' is dark in its own way though, and it gets darker towards the end of the series. It pushes the boundaries of reality but it doesn't break them."