Known for his role as Simon on “The Saddle Club,” Connor Jessup has been busy- from filming the indie flick Blackbird to landing a starring role on TNT‘s upcoming sci-fi drama series “Falling Skies“, which makes its television debut June 19th. In the new series from Steven Spielberg, Connor plays actor Noah Wyle’s lost son, ‘Ben Mason.” Set in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that’s left most of the world completely incapacitated, Connor’s character just happens to be the only family member captured by aliens… How’s that for a twist?
Both on and off-set, Connor is hard-working and determined. He may only be 16-years-old, but he’s known for quite some time that he wanted to work in film. He is an undeniably talented actor that’s been making film since the age of eleven. Some may call him a prodigy- After all, he recently wrote, produced, directed and edited the shorts “Something” and “I Don’t Hurt Anymore”, and wrote/directed the play “Pushing Normal”, for which he won an Award of Distinction for the script at the 2010 Sears Drama Festival. Connor is also the Executive Producer of the indie film Amy George, which premiered last month at the Wisconsin International Film Festival.
Oh yea, and he’s pretty much an academic genius.
So when you have all these things going for you, what exactly makes one TV series or project stand out from another? Where do you go from here? What’s next? What sets “Falling Skies” apart from movies and series that have gone before? And the big question: Does he, or does he not, believe in Aliens?
I recently had the chance to chat with Connor about all that and more! Take a listen below and find out!
On what attracted him to the role & the series…
When the audition first came across my desk it was called the untitled Steven Spielberg Alien Invasion series… Anything with Steven Spielberg’s name in it is miles ahead of the rest.
…But also the concept and the execution of the concept is incredibly unique and original.
On whether or not he believes in aliens:
I do believe in Aliens. I believe you kind of have to believe in them, but in a very kind of, physicist sort of way. I don’t think there are aliens on earth, but with so many stars and so many galaxies, statistically you kind of have to.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Falling Skies’ Connor Jessup by Stella Bella
And don’t forget, Falling Skies premieres June 19th at 9pm ET on TNT. You don’t want to miss it!
