Jason Forbes
Jason Forbes (born 27 October 1990) is a British actor, writer, comedian, impressionist, and television presenter.[1][2] He is best known for his appearances in the CITV series Horrible Science (2015) and for co-creating, writing, and starring in the BBC Radio 4 sketch show Daphne Sounds Expensive (2016–2017), which features the comedy trio Daphne alongside Phil Wang and George Fouracres.[1][3] Forbes was born in Bristol, England, and educated at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital School before studying at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 2012.[1] His career began in sketch comedy, with Daphne winning the London SketchFest Award for Best New Act in 2015 and earning a nomination for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards' Best Newcomer the same year.[3] He has since appeared in prominent television roles, including PC Peasey in The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm (2014), various characters in Tracey Ullman's Show (2016) and The Mash Report (2017–2022), and Arthur Ashe in the film Borg vs McEnroe (2017).[1][3] In recent years, Forbes has expanded into international productions, portraying supporting roles such as Alexei Nachevko in A Gentleman in Moscow (2024) on Paramount+, Omar Khayyam in Netflix's 3 Body Problem (2024), Court Clerk in Disney+'s Renegade Nell (2024), and Lord Scrope in Amazon's My Lady Jane (2024).[3] He has also contributed to voice acting, including in the video game Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (2023) and Big Finish audio dramas for the Doctor Who universe since 2022.[1] Additionally, Daphne Sounds Expensive was shortlisted for the Comedy.co.uk Awards' Best Radio Sketch Show in 2016, and Forbes was named one of Radio Times' 14 top comedy talents to watch in 2017.[3]Early life and education
Early life
Jason Forbes was born on 27 October 1990 in Bristol, England. He was raised in the city, where he developed an early interest in performance and public speaking during his childhood and teenage years. Forbes attended Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, an independent school in the Clifton area of Bristol. These experiences marked the initial sparks of his engagement with acting and comedy. Following secondary school, he transitioned to higher education at the University of Cambridge.Education
Forbes attended Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, an independent day school in Clifton, Bristol, for his secondary education, completing his studies there in 2009.[4] In 2009, he enrolled at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, to read English, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2012.[5][6] At Cambridge, Forbes immersed himself in the university's dramatic and comedic scene, particularly as a member of the Cambridge Footlights, the prestigious student comedy society known for nurturing talents like John Cleese and Stephen Fry. He contributed as a writer and performer in multiple productions, including the 2011 pantomime and the 2012 international tour revue Perfect Strangers, while also serving as the society's archivist. These activities honed his skills in sketch writing and live performance, directly influencing his later pursuits in comedy and acting.[7][6][8]Career
Sketch comedy and live performances
Jason Forbes began his career in sketch comedy as a writer and performer with the trio Daphne, which he co-founded with fellow comedians Phil Wang and George Fouracres. The group, noted for its diverse lineup and offbeat style, emerged as a fresh voice in British live comedy, focusing on surreal sketches that played with cultural stereotypes and interpersonal dynamics.[1][9] Daphne made their debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2015 with the show Daphne Do Edinburgh, earning praise for its inventive and slippery humor that combined extreme slapstick with uneasy, topical jokes. The performance at the Pleasance Courtyard showcased Forbes' development as a versatile writer-performer, contributing sketches that highlighted the trio's chemistry and willingness to subvert expectations around race and identity. Earlier that year, the newly formed group curated the monthly comedy night Nova! Nova! at London's Cockpit Theatre, providing a platform for emerging acts and honing their live presentation skills.[10][9][11] A key milestone came in 2015 when Daphne won the 'Best New Act' award at London Sketchfest, affirming their rapid rise in the live comedy circuit and establishing Forbes as a promising talent in sketch writing and performance. This success paved the way for further stage appearances and eventually adaptations of their material for radio.[12]Radio productions
Jason Forbes co-created, wrote, and starred in the BBC Radio 4 sketch comedy series Daphne Sounds Expensive alongside Phil Wang and George Fouracres as the trio Daphne.[13] The show, which premiered in 2016 and ran for a second series in 2017 across eight episodes, featured peculiar characters, absurd scenarios, and satirical observations in a style reminiscent of classic British radio comedy.[14] Daphne Sounds Expensive was shortlisted for Best Radio Sketch Show at the 2016 Comedy.co.uk Awards.[15] Forbes made regular guest appearances on the satirical sketch show Newsjack on BBC Radio 4 Extra, contributing sketches and performances to the public-submitted format hosted by various comedians.[16] He also appeared in the 2017 BBC Radio 4 sitcom Life on Egg, voicing multiple characters including Skulk and Tim in the prison-based series starring Harry Hill.[17] Additionally, Forbes performed roles such as Trevor and Chris in the first series of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Ankle Tag in 2017, a show about family dynamics following a prison release.[18] Building on his experience as a live sketch performer, Forbes adapted material from stage shows for radio in Daphne Sounds Expensive, evolving toward original audio sketches that emphasized sound design and vocal timing unique to the medium.[19]Film and television appearances
Forbes made his television debut in 2013 with an ensemble role in the BBC Three Comedy Feeds short Kerry, a character sketch show starring Kerry Howard. He followed this with a supporting appearance as a spa worker in the Channel 4 comedy series The Mimic in 2014. In 2014 and 2015, Forbes gained prominence in family-oriented programming by portraying the lead role of the bumbling police constable PC Peasey in the BBC One Christmas specials The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm and Professor Branestawm Returns, adaptations of the classic children's books by Norman Hunter. These roles showcased his physical comedy style, influencing his portrayals of awkward, endearing characters in subsequent narrative projects.[19] Forbes continued building his television profile with a recurring role in the CITV educational sketch series Horrible Science in 2015, where he appeared across multiple episodes adapting the popular book series by Nick Arnold and Tony de Saulles. He joined the BBC Two satirical news show The Mash Report from 2017 to 2022, playing the recurring character Nathan Muir, a hapless newsreader. In 2016–2018, he was a regular cast member in the HBO/BBC sketch comedy Tracey Ullman's Show, contributing various impressions and character pieces alongside Tracey Ullman.[20] In 2020, Forbes provided impressions in the revived satirical puppet series Spitting Image on BritBox, including portrayals of figures like Idris Elba and Lewis Hamilton. On the film front, Forbes appeared in the 2017 biographical sports drama Borg/McEnroe, directed by Janus Metz, where he played the historical figure Arthur Ashe, the American tennis star and World No. 1. In 2021, UKTV announced Forbes as a co-host and reporter for the Dave channel's comedy panel show The Island, which premiered in 2022; he delivered on-location reports alongside Kemah Bob, testing comedians' imagined dream islands under host Tom Allen.[21] Forbes' recent work has emphasized high-profile streaming series. In 2024, he portrayed Omar Khayyam, a member of the Oxford Five scientists, in Netflix's science fiction adaptation 3 Body Problem, created by David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo.[22] He appeared as a court clerk in Disney+'s historical fantasy Renegade Nell, a series by Sally Wainwright about a young highwaywoman in 18th-century England.[23] Forbes had a series regular role as Alexei Nachevko in Paramount+'s A Gentleman in Moscow, starring Ewan McGregor as Count Alexander Rostov in post-revolutionary Russia. Additionally, he played the nobleman Scrope across two episodes of Prime Video's romantic comedy My Lady Jane, an alternate-history take on Lady Jane Grey's story. In 2025, Forbes portrayed Thane Thomas, a loyal Godwin family servant, in the BBC and CBS historical drama King & Conqueror.[24]Voice acting and other media
Forbes provided the English voice for Mwamba, a veteran soldier and guest party member in the role-playing video game Xenoblade Chronicles 3, developed by Monolith Soft and published by Nintendo in 2022.[25] Mwamba serves as an attacker class character in the game's expansive narrative set in the world of Aionios, showcasing Forbes' ability to deliver authoritative and battle-hardened tones.[26] Forbes provided additional voices in the video game expansion Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (2023).[27] He has voiced various characters in Big Finish Productions' audio dramas for the Doctor Who universe since 2022, including Captain Forbes in Red for Danger! and roles in The Stuff of Legend (2024).[28] This video game role marked an extension of Forbes' vocal versatility from radio productions into interactive media.[12] In 2025, Forbes gained an online following through short-form comedy sketches on TikTok, particularly a viral series parodying the papal conclave and the election of a new pope following Pope Francis' passing.[29] The sketches, such as "Let's Have a Conclave," humorously depicted the secretive Vatican process with lighthearted commentary on potential successors, contributing to broader TikTok trends around the event dubbed "conclave core."[30]Style and influences
Comedic style
Jason Forbes' comedic style is characterized by a strong emphasis on physical comedy, where he employs exaggerated movements and slapstick elements to heighten the absurdity of sketches. In live performances with the sketch trio Daphne, Forbes often serves as the physical foil, using subtle gestures like a well-timed eye wink or broader bodily antics to drive the humor in scenarios such as rewound art forgery deals or inappropriate house-hunting antics. This approach draws on visual exaggeration to amplify character dynamics, making his contributions instantly recognizable within ensemble pieces.[31][32] A key aspect of his performance is the integration of impressions and character voices, which add layers of mimicry to his roles across mediums. Forbes has showcased impressions, including those of celebrities like Ainsley Harriott in sketch rescues and Chris Rock via deep-fake technology, blending vocal precision with comedic timing to enhance character depth. His voice work extends to audio and animated projects, where distinct personas—such as in video games and animated series—rely on nuanced tonal shifts to convey exaggerated traits without visual cues.[31][19] Forbes' style fuses writing and performing, prioritizing absurd, character-driven humor that builds on interpersonal tensions and surreal premises. As a co-writer and performer in Daphne's output, he crafts scenarios like competing crooners or deconstructed reveal jokes, where the humor emerges from the interplay of flawed, quirky characters rather than straightforward punchlines. This writer-performer synergy allows for tightly constructed pieces that evolve organically through performance, emphasizing inventive absurdity over conventional setups.[32][31] His comedic approach has evolved from the high-energy demands of live sketch comedy to adaptations in screen and audio formats. Initially honed in stage shows like Daphne's Edinburgh runs, where physicality and quick impressions dominated, Forbes transitioned to radio series such as Daphne Sounds Expensive, translating visual slapstick into vocal absurdities—like hedgehog charity fundraisers or Frasier pastiches—while maintaining character-driven cores. This shift highlights his versatility, adapting exaggerated movements to implied actions via tone and timing in non-visual media.[33][19]Key influences
Jason Forbes has frequently acknowledged the profound impact of physical comedy pioneers on his development as a performer, particularly emphasizing the slapstick and character-driven elements that define his style. Among these, he has highlighted Michael Crawford as his foremost influence, recounting in a 2017 interview how he emulated Crawford's antics during childhood by dramatically throwing himself down stairs and feigning death, much to his mother's dismay. This early mimicry underscores Crawford's role in inspiring Forbes' affinity for exaggerated physicality and timing in comedic scenarios, drawing from Crawford's iconic portrayals in works like Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, where mishaps and pratfalls create humor through vulnerability and absurdity.[34] These influences collectively molded Forbes' artistic growth, prioritizing visual storytelling and character empathy in his physical and character-based humor.Credits
Film and television
Forbes began his screen career with a small ensemble role in the 2013 BBC Three comedy short Kerry. His early television appearances include the role of PC Peasey in the 2014 BBC One Christmas special The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm, which he reprised in the 2015 follow-up Professor Branestawm Returns. He also portrayed a Spa Worker in series 2, episode 5 of Channel 4's The Mimic in 2014. In 2015, Forbes appeared as Charles Drew in an episode of CITV's educational comedy Horrible Science and as an Ambulance Volunteer in the BBC Two series Pompidou. Forbes took on various supporting roles in 2016, including a Paramedic in The Windsors on Channel 4, a Footman in Upstart Crow on BBC Two, and multiple characters in Tracey Ullman's Show on BBC One, such as Serge and a Drama Student across several sketches. He continued with ensemble and voice work in satirical formats, playing Nathan Muir and other characters in BBC Two's The Mash Report from 2017 to 2020. That same year, he debuted in film as Arthur Ashe in the biographical drama Borg/McEnroe. In 2019, Forbes appeared as a Sweat Seller in the family comedy film Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans. He provided voices for several impressions, including Idris Elba and Lewis Hamilton, in the 2020 revival of ITV's Spitting Image. Forbes co-hosted the 2022 UKTV panel show The Island on Dave, appearing as a reporter across all eight episodes alongside Tom Allen and Kemah Bob. Recent credits include a recurring role as PC Peasey in Professor Branestawm (2014–2015), various sketches in Horrible Science (2015), and supporting parts in Tracey Ullman's Show (2016). Works from 2022–2023 feature Forbes as Ian in an episode of BBC Two's This Is Going to Hurt, Police Officer 2 in Frayed, and multiple voices in Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, where he impersonated Chris Rock. In 2024, he played Court Clerk in Disney+'s Renegade Nell, Omar Khayyam in Netflix's 3 Body Problem, Alexei Nachevko as a series regular in Paramount+'s A Gentleman in Moscow, and Scrope in two episodes of Amazon Prime Video's My Lady Jane. In 2025, he appeared as Thane Thomas in the BBC/CBS series King & Conqueror.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Kerry | Ensemble Actor | BBC Three short comedy |
| 2014 | The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm | PC Peasey | BBC One TV film |
| 2014 | The Mimic (Series 2, Episode 5) | Spa Worker | Channel 4 series |
| 2015 | Professor Branestawm Returns | PC Peasey | BBC One TV film |
| 2015 | Horrible Science | Charles Drew / Junior | CITV series, multiple episodes |
| 2015 | Pompidou (Episode 5) | Ambulance Volunteer | BBC Two series |
| 2016 | The Windsors (Series 1, Episode 1) | Paramedic | Channel 4 series |
| 2016 | Upstart Crow (Series 1, Episode 3) | Footman | BBC Two series |
| 2016 | Tracey Ullman's Show | Various (e.g., Serge, Nurse, Drama Student) | BBC One / HBO series, multiple sketches |
| 2017 | Borg/McEnroe | Arthur Ashe | Feature film |
| 2017–2020 | The Mash Report | Nathan Muir / Various | BBC Two series |
| 2019 | Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans | Sweat Seller | Feature film |
| 2020 | Spitting Image | Various voices (e.g., Idris Elba, Lewis Hamilton) | ITV / BritBox series |
| 2022 | This Is Going to Hurt (Episode 4) | Ian | BBC Two series |
| 2022 | Frayed (Series 2, Episode 1) | Police Officer 2 | Sky Max series |
| 2022 | The Island | Self – Reporter | Dave channel series, 8 episodes |
| 2023 | Deep Fake Neighbour Wars | Various voices (e.g., Chris Rock) | ITVX series |
| 2024 | 3 Body Problem | Omar Khayyam | Netflix series |
| 2024 | Renegade Nell (Episode 3) | Court Clerk | Disney+ series |
| 2024 | A Gentleman in Moscow | Alexei Nachevko | Paramount+ miniseries, series regular |
| 2024 | My Lady Jane | Scrope | Amazon Prime Video series, 2 episodes |
| 2025 | King & Conqueror | Thane Thomas | BBC/CBS series |
Radio
Jason Forbes has contributed to various BBC radio comedy series and sketches as a writer, performer, and ensemble actor, often in satirical and sketch formats.Key Series and Roles
- Daphne Sounds Expensive (BBC Radio 4, 2016–2017): Co-creator, co-writer, and performer alongside Phil Wang and George Fouracres; featured in all 8 episodes across two series, presenting peculiar characters and wacky scenarios.[14][13]
- Newsjack (BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2015–2021): Regular guest and ensemble actor, contributing sketches in multiple series including Episodes 2 (Series 13, 2015), Episode 3 (Series 14, 2016), Series 15–17 (2016–2017), Series 18–19 (2018), Series 20–21 (2019), Series 22–23 (2020), and Series 24 (2021).[35][16][1]
- Life on Egg (BBC Radio 4, 2017): Performer voicing multiple characters including Nev, Doubleday, Skulk, Tim the Helicopter Pilot, and others across the two-part sitcom series starring Harry Hill.[17][36]
- Ankle Tag (BBC Radio 4, 2015–2017): Performer as Trevor and Chris in the 2015 pilot, and as Monkey World Announcer in Episode 2 of Series 1 (2017).[37][16]
Additional Contributions
Forbes has made guest appearances and ensemble contributions in other radio sketches and series, including:- Fresh from the Fringe (BBC Radio 4, 2015): Guest performer as part of the sketch trio Daphne in Episode 1.[16]
- Dead Ringers (BBC Radio 4, 2023–2024): Voice performer in various impressions across Series 23 (Episodes 2 and 6, 2023) and Series 25 (Episodes 1 and 3, 2024).[38][16]
- The Now Show (BBC Radio 4, 2022–2024): Writer and ensemble actor in select episodes, including Episode 6 (Series 60, 2022), Episode 5 (Series 61, 2023), Episodes 3 and 5 (Series 63, 2023), Episode 1 (Series 64, 2024).[39][16]
- Kat Sadler's Screen Time (BBC Radio 4, 2022–2025): Performer as various characters in Series 1 (2022) and Series 2 (2025).[16]
- Please Use Other Door (BBC Radio 4, 2023): Ensemble actor in Series 2.[16]
- DMs Are Open (BBC Radio 4, 2023): Ensemble actor in Episode 2 of Series 2.[16]
- Michael Spicer: Before Next Door (BBC Radio 4, 2022): Ensemble actor in all four episodes of Series 2.[16]
- Rachel Parris: Austensibly Feminist (BBC Radio 4, 2021): Ensemble actor.[16]
- Earwig (BBC Radio 4, 2020): Ensemble actor in the sketch show pilot.[40][16]
- Plum House (BBC Radio 4, 2020): Performer as Nick in Episode 4 of Series 3.[16]
- Lena Marsh, Live And Shticking! (BBC Radio 4, 2018): Ensemble actor.[16]
- The Hartlepool Spy (BBC Radio 4, 2018): Performer as Garvey.[16]