Tommy Jessop Goes To Hollywood: BBC release date, trailer, and how to watch documentary from Line of Duty star

Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood, a new documentary following Line of Duty star Tommy Jessop, is set to air on BBC One on Monday 21 August.

The one-off documentary follows Jessop, who has Down syndrome, as he goes to Hollywood and tries to convince a big studio to make a blockbuster about a disabled superhero.

Here’s everything you need to know about Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood.

What is it about?

According to the official BBC One synopsis, Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood follows “award-winning actor Tommy Jessop as he sets out to create and pitch his own superhero movie in Hollywood. Accompanied by his brother, filmmaker Will Jessop, this film follows Tommy as he embarks on an epic creative journey to develop his own movie starring a superhero called Roger (named after his teddy bear). Roger’s adventures are based on Tommy’s own experiences of being a person who has Down Syndrome. But the process pushes him and Will to confront different challenges, and as their film idea develops so too does their relationship and understanding of each other.

“If Tommy wants to get his movie off the ground, he must enlist some high-profile co-stars, learn the skills it takes to be an action movie hero and develop a killer pitch – all before jumping on a plane to Hollywood. Will their trip to Tinseltown deliver on Tommy’s dreams?”

Who is Tommy Jessop?

Tommy Jessop is an actor, best known for appearing as Terry Boyle in Line of Duty. You might also recognise him from starring alongside Nicholas Hoult in the film Coming Down the Mountain, as well as from appearances in the likes of Holby and Doctors. 

According to the official BBC synopsis for the documentary, “Tommy was born with Down Syndrome. An actor and activist, he has always dreamed of being a leading man, and after starring in BBC ONE’s police drama Line of Duty, it felt as if anything was possible. However, further top roles have failed to materialise. Tommy wants to play a hero so, inspired by the advice of his agent, he decides to take matters into his own hands.”

The documentary was made by Tommy Jessop with his brother Will, a writer and filmmaker himself. The pair have previously collaborated on the Grierson-nominated Tommy’s Story (2007) and the Emmy-nominated Growing Up Down’s (2014).

Is there a trailer for Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood?

Yes, there is! You can watch it right here.

When and how can I watch Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood?

Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood is set to air on BBC One on 21 August at 9pm. You’ll also be able to stream the documentary on BBC iPlayer as soon as it airs.

Who else features in Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood?

As part of the documentary, Tommy and Will Jessop encounter and get advice from Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), Will Sharpe (The White Lotus), Zack Gottsagen (The Peanut Butter Falcon), and Neve Campbell (Scream), as well as producer Joel Zadak (Key and Peele).

Why should I watch Tommy Jessop Goes to Hollywood?

It’s an inside look at how people with disabilities are represented in the film and television industry, presented by someone who knows what it’s like best.