As you guys might have read in the MCM Expo related article, at the London Comic Con I got the chance to meet Neil Jackson and to have a short chat with him. I realized Neil was attending the convention on the actual first day of the expo and I got super excited by that. I’ve seen him in various movies like “Alexander”, “Quantum of Solace”, “White Collar”, “Make it or Break it” and many more. His most recent one that I’ve seen would be “Sleepy Hollow”, which I started watching after a friend recommended it and I ended up waiting each week for the new episode.
So, when I found out he was attending, first thing I did was to send an email and see, if maybe, somehow, I would get a chance to talk to him. However, as I found out from his helpful team, at this type of events, usually the schedule is already set and the only chance would be if the artist finds time in between signings and photo-shoots for that chat.
Woke up on Sunday and decided to try my luck. That was the best I could do and in the end, the event is for fans to talk and get a bit in touch with the actors, so that was clearly a priority I did not want to overrun. When I got at the convention, after establishing what I had to do, I went straight for the table reserved for Neil’s signings sessions.
When I got there, a few people were already queuing. He was taking a few moments to talk to everyone, take a photo and sign the prints. When it was my turn, I introduced myself and said I sent an email asking if maybe I can have a chat with him. He smiled and added “Oh that was you.” Yes, stubborn “little” me. After checking his schedule to see how he could fit me in, we decided we could have a talk a bit later and penciled that in.
Now, how is Neil Jackson? Each time I think of him, the word “sweet” pops into my head. Not exactly what you would expect from a former vampire, general or horseman of the Apocalypse. He, like myself, smiles a lot. Way to go! Very polite, gentleman like, patient and from what I could tell, a Marvel fan. Thumbs up for that one too! And very charismatic, or as the French would say it, he has that certain“je ne sais quoi”.
Now, the chat, after a few moments of searching for the recording app on my phone (my bad), it went like this:
Let’s begin with one of your first roles, you played Perdiccas in Alexander; what did you enjoy most about filming that?
I enjoyed the whole experience of Alexander because it was my first actual film and I’ve never done a feature before. So, to work on a film with Oliver Stone, who’s directing I love, to hang out with Collin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, it was pretty spectacular to be a part of that.
How did you end up in Sleepy Hollow?
I ended up in the TV series because I did an episode of White Collar, where Mark Goffman was the producer. He, after that, became a show-runner for Sleepy Hollow. On White Collar I did a sword fight and my background is in fighting. I used to be a boxer and I’ve done lots of sword fighting stuff, which they needed for Sleepy Hollow. So Mark called me up and asked me if I wanted to do the role.
And that was it?
Yes, basically, that’s how it started.
How’s your role evolving, do you know for how long will you be in the show?
I am definitely on it until the end of season 2; I haven’t signed up for another season.
You said you have a background in fighting, what happened to the boxing career?
I decided to end it. I only fought for 5 years, but as an amateur, and I just reached a point where I decided I wasn’t enjoying it anymore, so I gave that up and decided to become an actor. Rolled on an acting course and finished that 14 years ago.
So you moved to LA…
Yes, 10 years ago.
Because of the movie business? Or how did you end up there?
I went over for the premiere of Alexander and ended up staying because of work. I did a vampire movie and then I did another vampire TV series, “Blade: the series”, and like that a year and a half past, so I ended up staying.
So you like vampires? Because now this seems to be quite big and we do have them back home.
Well, I have done 3 vampire movies and one vampire TV series.
Yeah, I know, right? They are from your home country.
Would you say you like LA more than you like London?
No, they are just different. I do love LA, the weather is amazing, I enjoy the industry, I love being by the beach and all that stuff, but I am a Londoner, I was born just north of London, so this will always be home. However, it is better to be there now, because there is just a lot more work and a bit more going on regarding my future career, but I get to come back here and work here as well.
And your family is here, right?
Yes, that is true, my whole family is here.
What’s your favorite movie?
Favorite movie is “The Natural” with Robert Redford, closely followed by “Harvey” which had James Stewart in the lead role.
What about your favorite band?
Favorite band, I am going to have to go… with… a singer… Alex Lloyd.
You also sing, don’t you?
Yes, I also sing. I have an album called “The Little Things”, which came out 2 years ago and I am in the process of recording a second one. The first single will be out at the end of next month.
I looked you up on YouTube and I listened to the first one a bit.
Yeah? And what did you think?
Yes. It’s nice, quite calm, steady and deep.
Yes, this new one is going to be a bit happier, a bit more pop, a bit like Mumford and Sons.
Are you going to promote it here too?
I will try to come over here and hopefully play a gig or two, if my schedule allows it. It would be really nice to be able to do that.
After talking to me, he had the photo-shoot with the fans scheduled, so he went for that. I came back to his table later to take some photos before leaving. As I mentioned to him it was my first face to face interview and I was a bit excited so… Neil, I hope you did not feel interrogated.
As I left his table, I realized how lucky I was that I actually had him all to myself for a bit of time, how lucky I was he agreed to talk and how lucky I was to meet this lovely person.
Now, if you already haven’t, you have to follow him in “Sleepy Hollow”, and keep an eye on him because I am sure he will delight us with his presence in many more good movies. Listen to his music and follow him on Facebook or Twitter, because you can find some really fun posts on those pages. I can guarantee you won’t be sorry for doing that!
This article has been written in partnership with Edge and Back.
