Johnny Harris

Actor — London

01Profile

A Johnny Harris Photo

03Interview

Photograph by Daniel Quesada

Name 
Johnny Harris

Why you love what you do?
It's introduced me to beautiful literature and shown me how to enjoy it. It's taken me around the world to places I wouldn't have known existed, let alone had the chance to explore. It's introduced me to my heroes and allowed me to see them work up close, and it's introduced me to some of the dearest friends I have in my life. However hard I work, or however much I put into this, I'll never be able to pay back what it's given me. That's why I take it seriously. It's a privilege to do what I do. 

Describe your style in three words?
Scrubs up ok.

Which British film do you most admire?
This is England. Shane Meadows is for me one of the finest directors this country has ever had. It just burst off the screen like no other film before, and it blew my mind. I'd never seen anything like it. 

If you could spend an hour with any actor from history?
Charlie Chaplin. He was born and raised in the same area of South London as myself, Lambeth. I was always fascinated by the fact that despite his extremely humble beginnings, he somehow went on to become one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and one of the most powerful men in Hollywood... That's some journey! 

British musician who has had the most influence on you?
Paul Weller. I made a playlist of 23 songs to listen to while I was writing Jawbone. I knew there was a spirit of the piece that I was trying to find, so I just wanted to listen to songs that had moved me deeply in some way over the years and contained that same spirit or feeling that I was looking for in the film. Six of the songs on that playlist were by Paul Weller. 

Which British subculture means the most to you?
I was 17 years of age in 1990 when The Stone Roses, Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and so many great bands exploded onto the scene, and that was it... Our own revolution. I felt like I'd found my tribe. That I wasn't alone, and that anything was possible. I wouldn't be an actor, or a writer today if it wasn't for those bands. I really do believe that.

Best Gig you have ever been too?
The Stone Roses played in a tiny warehouse in Shoreditch. Shane Meadows was making the documentary about the band's comeback at the time and invited a few of us along. Like everyone else, that first album had felt so important to me, and I've never been so excited about seeing a band before.


Johnny Harris’ acting career has notably seen him nominated for BAFTA and Royal Television Society Awards for his role as Michael ‘Mick’ Jenkins, father of Lol Jenkins, in Shane Meadows’ epic ‘This Is England’ saga.

Also known for his roles in films as diverse as ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ and the hard hitting British Drama ‘London to Brighton’; his latest film ‘Jawbone’ is the first to be written by himself, loosely based on his own life experience, telling the story of a young boxer.

The film also stars Ian McShane and Ray Winston, as well as boasting a soundtrack by Paul Weller.

'Jawbone' is releasing in cinemas from 12th May, and will be available on DVD from 5th June.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first track you played on repeat?
'You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby' by The Smiths.

One record you would keep forever?
'The Ballad of Jimmy McCabe' by Paul Weller. 

During the writing process, Paul and I had a conversation one afternoon about the lead character in the script and how I was thinking of playing him. Paul said he had an idea for a song about him. A few weeks later it came through, and I couldn't believe it. I don't mind saying it was emotional hearing it. It's a truly beautiful song. It's still a bit surreal to listen to it, to be honest.  

Song you wish you had written?
'Get Blown Away' by Ocean Colour Scene. 

Pure Storytelling. Steve Cradock is one of the finest guitarists ever, and I've never heard Simon Fowler sing a song and not completely believed in him.
 
Song that defines the teenage you?
'Rockin' Chair' by Oasis.

Song lyric that inspires you?
"Went out walkin' through the wood the other day,
And the world was a carpet laid before me,
The buds were bursting and the air smelled sweet and strange,
And it seemed about a hundred years ago." 

'100 Years Ago' by The Rolling Stones. 

Or

"Sing you little f*ckers, sing like you've got no choice."

From 'Come On / Let's Go' by Paul Weller.

Five songs you can’t stop listening to right now?

'You're not Alone' by Cathal Smyth.  
'Pushing Your Love' by Stone Foundation.
'Morning Skies' by Steve Pilgrim.
'How Long' by The Moons.
'Come On Over, Come On By' by JJ Appleton.

03Interview

Photograph by Daniel Quesada

Name 
Johnny Harris

Why you love what you do?
It's introduced me to beautiful literature and shown me how to enjoy it. It's taken me around the world to places I wouldn't have known existed, let alone had the chance to explore. It's introduced me to my heroes and allowed me to see them work up close, and it's introduced me to some of the dearest friends I have in my life. However hard I work, or however much I put into this, I'll never be able to pay back what it's given me. That's why I take it seriously. It's a privilege to do what I do. 

Describe your style in three words?
Scrubs up ok.

Which British film do you most admire?
This is England. Shane Meadows is for me one of the finest directors this country has ever had. It just burst off the screen like no other film before, and it blew my mind. I'd never seen anything like it. 

If you could spend an hour with any actor from history?
Charlie Chaplin. He was born and raised in the same area of South London as myself, Lambeth. I was always fascinated by the fact that despite his extremely humble beginnings, he somehow went on to become one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and one of the most powerful men in Hollywood... That's some journey! 

British musician who has had the most influence on you?
Paul Weller. I made a playlist of 23 songs to listen to while I was writing Jawbone. I knew there was a spirit of the piece that I was trying to find, so I just wanted to listen to songs that had moved me deeply in some way over the years and contained that same spirit or feeling that I was looking for in the film. Six of the songs on that playlist were by Paul Weller. 

Which British subculture means the most to you?
I was 17 years of age in 1990 when The Stone Roses, Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene and so many great bands exploded onto the scene, and that was it... Our own revolution. I felt like I'd found my tribe. That I wasn't alone, and that anything was possible. I wouldn't be an actor, or a writer today if it wasn't for those bands. I really do believe that.

Best Gig you have ever been too?
The Stone Roses played in a tiny warehouse in Shoreditch. Shane Meadows was making the documentary about the band's comeback at the time and invited a few of us along. Like everyone else, that first album had felt so important to me, and I've never been so excited about seeing a band before.


Johnny Harris’ acting career has notably seen him nominated for BAFTA and Royal Television Society Awards for his role as Michael ‘Mick’ Jenkins, father of Lol Jenkins, in Shane Meadows’ epic ‘This Is England’ saga.

Also known for his roles in films as diverse as ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ and the hard hitting British Drama ‘London to Brighton’; his latest film ‘Jawbone’ is the first to be written by himself, loosely based on his own life experience, telling the story of a young boxer.

The film also stars Ian McShane and Ray Winston, as well as boasting a soundtrack by Paul Weller.

'Jawbone' is releasing in cinemas from 12th May, and will be available on DVD from 5th June.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first track you played on repeat?
'You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby' by The Smiths.

One record you would keep forever?
'The Ballad of Jimmy McCabe' by Paul Weller. 

During the writing process, Paul and I had a conversation one afternoon about the lead character in the script and how I was thinking of playing him. Paul said he had an idea for a song about him. A few weeks later it came through, and I couldn't believe it. I don't mind saying it was emotional hearing it. It's a truly beautiful song. It's still a bit surreal to listen to it, to be honest.  

Song you wish you had written?
'Get Blown Away' by Ocean Colour Scene. 

Pure Storytelling. Steve Cradock is one of the finest guitarists ever, and I've never heard Simon Fowler sing a song and not completely believed in him.
 
Song that defines the teenage you?
'Rockin' Chair' by Oasis.

Song lyric that inspires you?
"Went out walkin' through the wood the other day,
And the world was a carpet laid before me,
The buds were bursting and the air smelled sweet and strange,
And it seemed about a hundred years ago." 

'100 Years Ago' by The Rolling Stones. 

Or

"Sing you little f*ckers, sing like you've got no choice."

From 'Come On / Let's Go' by Paul Weller.

Five songs you can’t stop listening to right now?

'You're not Alone' by Cathal Smyth.  
'Pushing Your Love' by Stone Foundation.
'Morning Skies' by Steve Pilgrim.
'How Long' by The Moons.
'Come On Over, Come On By' by JJ Appleton.

 

05Videos

The Stone Roses played in a tiny warehouse in Shoreditch. Shane Meadows was making the documentary about the band's comeback at the time and invited a few of us along...

Johnny Harris - Full Interview

Jawbone - Trailer