{{short description|British actor, writer and comedian (born 1990)}} {{other people|Jason Forbes}} {{Use British English|date=February 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Jason Forbes | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|10|27}} | birth_place = [[Bristol]], England, United Kingdom | death_date = | death_place = | othername = | occupation = Actor, writer, comedian | yearsactive = | spouse = | children = | education = [[Queen Elizabeth's Hospital]] | alma_mater = [[Jesus College, Cambridge]] | domesticpartner = | website = {{URL|https://www.jasonforbes.co.uk/}} | awards = }}
'''Jason Forbes''' (born 27 October 1990) is a British actor, writer, comedian, impressionist, and TV presenter. He is best known for the [[CITV]] series ''[[Horrible Science#TV adaptation|Horrible Science]]'';<ref>[http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a648582/ben-miller-is-bringing-a-horrible-science-series-to-citv.html#~pnLiMsZ7aTavSI Ben Miller is bringing Horrible Science to CITV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006093758/http://m.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a648582/ben-miller-is-bringing-a-horrible-science-series-to-citv.html#~pnLiMsZ7aTavSI |date=6 October 2015 }}; ''Digital Spy'' – 21 May 2015</ref> ''[[The Mash Report]]'' on [[BBC Two]];<ref>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_mash_report/ The Mash Report]; ''British Comedy Guide''</ref> as PC Peasey in the ''[[Professor Branestawm]]'' television films on [[BBC One]];<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04w7pd3 ''The Incredible Adventures of Professor Brainstawm'' – Credits], BBC One</ref> and as a member of the award-winning [[sketch comedy|sketch]] trio '[[Daphne (comedy)|Daphne]]'.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/jun/26/edinburgh-festival-2015-10-comedy-acts-to-watch-fringe-standup Edinburgh festival 2015: 10 comedy acts to watch], ''The Guardian''</ref>
Forbes is co-creator, star and writer of the [[BBC Radio 4]] series, ''[[Daphne Sounds Expensive]]''.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lpmq2 ''Daphne Sounds Expensive''], BBC Radio 4</ref>
==Early life and education== Forbes was born in [[Bristol]], England, and educated at [[Queen Elizabeth's Hospital]] in [[Clifton, Bristol|Clifton]].<ref>[http://www.qehbristol.co.uk/pick-me-up-sketch-show-27-june-news-story.html QEH Bristol News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007035409/http://www.qehbristol.co.uk/pick-me-up-sketch-show-27-june-news-story.html |date=7 October 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.guidetoindependentschools.com/schools/view/353/Queen-Elizabeth-s-Hospital/HMC/Queen-Elizabeth-s-Hospital-Berkeley-Place-Clifton-Bristol-BS8-1JX |title=Guide to Independent Schools |access-date=9 September 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006113655/http://www.guidetoindependentschools.com/schools/view/353/Queen-Elizabeth-s-Hospital/HMC/Queen-Elizabeth-s-Hospital-Berkeley-Place-Clifton-Bristol-BS8-1JX |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qehbristol.co.uk/media/PDFs/Senior%20School/gsg%20pdf-2.pdf |title=The Good Schools Guide |access-date=9 September 2015 |archive-date=3 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503230228/http://www.qehbristol.co.uk/media/PDFs/Senior%20School/gsg%20pdf-2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> He then went up to [[Jesus College, Cambridge]], to read English,<ref>[https://www.srcf.ucam.org/cast/2011/theCastAndCrew.html Cast & Crew | CAST 2011]</ref> graduating in 2012.<ref>[https://footlightstour.soc.srcf.net/2012/company.php The Company – Footlights International Tour 2012]</ref>
At school he joined the 'Gabblers' Club' – a Bristol-based after-dinner speaking society for young students; and, in 2008, was awarded the Gabblers' prize for 'Best Speaker'<ref>[http://www.qehbristol.co.uk/pick-me-up-sketch-show-27-june-news-story.html QEH Bristol News] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007035409/http://www.qehbristol.co.uk/pick-me-up-sketch-show-27-june-news-story.html |date=7 October 2015 }}</ref> – a prize formerly awarded to stand-up comedian [[Mark Watson]].<ref>[http://www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/Mobile/News/Talking-it-up.aspx Talking it up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006114505/http://www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/Mobile/News/Talking-it-up.aspx |date=6 October 2015 }}, Bristol Grammar School</ref>
At [[Cambridge University]], Forbes wrote and performed in a number of comedy shows as a member of the famous [[Cambridge Footlights]]. In 2012, he co-wrote and performed in ''Perfect Strangers'' – [[Cambridge Footlights Revue#2012 revue|the Footlights' 50th annual revue]] – touring the UK and the United States.<ref>[https://footlightstour.soc.srcf.net/2012/company.php The Company – Footlights International Tour 2012]</ref><ref>[https://footlightstour.soc.srcf.net/2012/dates.php Dates – Footlights International Tour 2012]</ref> He also performed in a number of 'serious plays', from contemporary to [[Shakespeare]];<ref>[https://www.camdram.net/people/jason-forbes Person: Jason Forbes], Camdram</ref> and on [[London]]'s [[West End of London|West End]] as part of a showcase directed by former artistic director of the [[Royal Court Theatre]], [[Max Stafford-Clark]].<ref>[https://www.camdram.net/shows/marlowe-showcase-2012 Show: Marlowe Showcase 2012], Camdram</ref>
Prior to becoming a professional actor, Forbes worked as a marketing executive, civil servant, computer programmer, web designer, graphic designer and teacher of languages.<ref>[http://comedyblogedy.com/interview-with-daphne/ Interview with Daphne], ''Comedy Blogedy''</ref>
==Career==
===Comedy=== In September 2014, Forbes reunited with his [[Cambridge Footlights]] contemporaries [[Phil Wang (comedian)|Phil Wang]] and George Fouracres to form the [[sketch comedy|sketch]] group '[[Daphne (comedy)|Daphne]]'.<ref>[http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/who who? | Daphne | Sketch comedy from Phil Wang, Jason Forbes & George Fouracres]</ref>
The trio began hosting a comedy night called ''Nova Nova'', every other month at the [[Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone]], where they trialled their new material alongside guests, including British comedians [[Harry Hill]] and [[James Acaster]].<ref>[http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/novanova/ Nova Nova] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007021536/http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/novanova/ |date=7 October 2015}}, Daphne – Official Website</ref>
Daphne went on to win the London Sketchfest's prize for 'Best New Act' in 2015.<ref>[http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/seven-sketch-comedy-shows-to-see-at-the-2015-edinburgh-festival-fringe Seven sketch comedy shows to see at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe], ''TimeOut''</ref> Their first [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] show, ''Daphne Do Edinburgh'', was critically acclaimed<ref>[http://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2015/features/edinburgh_fringe_best_shows_2015/ Best-reviewed Edinburgh Fringe shows 2015], British Comedy Guide</ref> and Daphne were nominated for the 2015 [[Edinburgh Comedy Award|Foster's (formerly Perrier) Award]] for 'Best Newcomer'.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-34066365 Foster's Edinburgh Comedy awards shortlist announced], BBC News</ref><ref>[https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/08/26/23119/record_8_nominees_for_edinburgh_comedy_award Record 8 nominees for Edinburgh Comedy Award], ''Chortle''</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.comedyawards.co.uk/newcomers.asp |title=Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards – newcomers |access-date=9 September 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006102935/http://comedyawards.co.uk/newcomers.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Radio===
====''Daphne Sounds Expensive'' (BBC Radio 4)==== In February 2016, the [[BBC]] announced that Daphne would be bringing a "[[The Goon Show|''Goon Show'']]-esque" comedy called ''[[Daphne Sounds Expensive]]'' to [[BBC Radio 4]],<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/radio-4-comedy-commissions Radio 4’s Comedy Commissioner announces a raft of new commissions] BBC Media Centre</ref> with the first episode airing on 14 July 2016.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07k0dfn ''Daphne Sounds Expensive'' – Series 1, Episode 1], BBC Radio 4</ref> The series consists of four thirty-minute episodes.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lpmq2/episodes/guide ''Daphne Sounds Expensive'' – Series 1, Episode Guide], BBC Radio 4</ref>
''Daphne Sounds Expensive'' was shortlisted for the 'Best Radio Sketch Show' award at the Comedy.co.uk Awards 2016.<ref>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/news/2396/comedy_awards_2016_shortlist/ Comedy.co.uk Awards 2016 – News – British Comedy Guide]</ref> [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]] commissioned a second series which it would broadcast from 13 July 2017.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08xctdw Daphne Sounds Expensive | BBC Radio 4]</ref><ref>[https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/daphne_sounds_expensive/episodes/2/1/ Daphne Sounds Expensive | British Comedy Guide]</ref><ref>[http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/daphnesoundsexpensive/ Daphne – Official Website]</ref>
====Other radio work==== Forbes is a regular guest on the [[satire|satirical]] [[sketch show]] ''[[Newsjack]]'' on [[BBC Radio 4 Extra]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Episode 4, Series 13, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06f3dcy |publisher=BBC |access-date=3 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Episode 2, Series 14, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b070wqp9 |publisher=BBC |access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Episode 5, Series 15, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07xywqd |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09vb1bf |title=BBC Radio 4 Extra – Newsjack, Series 18, Episode 6}}</ref>
In 2017, he appeared in the two-part BBC Radio 4 [[sitcom]] ''Life on Egg'' by [[Daniel Maier]], alongside Harry Hill, [[Marek Larwood]], and [[Gyles Brandreth]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b087p3sm ''Life on Egg'' – Episode 1, Inspection], BBC Radio 4</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b087tx29 ''Life on Egg'' – Episode 2, CCTV], BBC Radio 4</ref>
===Film and television=== Forbes made his first TV appearance in 2013 in ''Kerry'', a [[BBC Three]] ''[[Comedy Feeds]]'' episode by comedic actress [[Kerry Howard]].
He later appeared in ''[[The Mimic (TV series)|The Mimic]]'' on [[Channel 4]] and ''[[Pompidou (TV series)|Pompidou]]'' by [[Little Britain (sketch show)|''Little Britain'']] star [[Matt Lucas (comedian)|Matt Lucas]] on [[BBC One]].
In 2014, he appeared on BBC One alongside Harry Hill, [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]], [[Ben Miller]], [[Miranda Richardson]], [[Simon Day]] and [[Charlie Higson]], as PC Peasey in Higson's adaptation of ''[[The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm]]'' by [[Norman Hunter (writer)|Norman Hunter]].
In May 2015, [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] announced that Forbes would be among the cast of their new series ''Horrible Science'', based on the ''[[Horrible Science]]'' books by [[Nick Arnold (writer)|Nick Arnold]].<ref>[http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/horrible-science Horrible Science], ITV/CITV</ref>
Forbes also joined the cast of [[Tracey Ullman]]'s sketch show, ''[[Tracey Ullman's Show]]'', for BBC One<ref>[http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/who#jason who? | Daphne | Sketch comedy from Phil Wang, Jason Forbes & George Fouracres]</ref> and [[HBO]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tracey Ullman on BBC's Female Revolution |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tracey-ullman-bbcs-female-revolution-830223 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=7 October 2015 |access-date=6 January 2016}}</ref> He was a regular in the second series of ''Tracey Ullman's Show'', and portrayed former American World No. 1 professional tennis player, [[Arthur Ashe]], in the 2017 film ''[[Borg/McEnroe]]'', starring [[Sverrir Guðnason]] and [[Shia LaBeouf]].<ref>[http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/who/#jason Jason, Daphne Comedy – Official Website]</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/16/shia-labeouf-john-mcenroe-bjorn-borg-wimbledon-tennis-1980-final-film Shia LaBeouf to play John McEnroe in movie of Wimbledon legend's 1980 battle with Borg – ''The Guardian'']</ref>
In 2021, broadcaster [[UKTV]] announced that Forbes would be joining [[Kemah Bob]] and [[Tom Allen (comedian)|Tom Allen]] as co-host of a new panel show called ''The Island'' on its comedy channel [[U&Dave|Dave]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dave joins Tom Allen on The Island {{!}} News {{!}} UKTV Corporate Site|url=https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/dave-joins-tom-allen-island/|access-date=7 July 2021|website=corporate.uktv.co.uk}}</ref> The show was co-created by comedians [[John Robins (comedian)|John Robins]], [[Lloyd Langford]], [[Ed Gamble]], and James Acaster. Recording of the first eight episodes began in June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Island – Dave Panel Show|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the-island/|access-date=7 July 2021|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>
In 2024, he starred in [[Netflix]]'s science fiction television series, ''[[3 Body Problem (TV series)|3 Body Problem]]'', as [[Omar Khayyam]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bio – Jason Forbes {{!}} Actor & Writer – Official Website |url=https://jasonforbes.co.uk/bio/ |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref>
==Style and influences== Forbes is a lover of physical comedy and often incorporates [[slapstick]] humour into his routines. He has cited [[Laurel and Hardy]], [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Rowan Atkinson]], [[Sir Norman Wisdom]] and, "most of all", [[Michael Crawford]] among his physical influences. "Against all advice," says Forbes in an interview with online blog ''Comedy Blogedy'', "I'd try everything they did at home: bumping into things, falling over, deliberately spilling stuff and – to my mother's horror – throwing myself down the stairs."<ref>[http://comedyblogedy.com/interview-with-daphne/ Interview with Daphne], ''Comedy Blogedy''</ref>
Forbes apparently perfected his stair-fall in a university production of [[Michael Frayn]]'s ''[[Noises Off]]''.<ref>[https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2011/02/10/noises-off-2241 Noises Off], ''The Tab''</ref>
Of his sketch group Daphne's debut [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] show, ''[[The List (magazine)|The List]]'' magazine's Brian Donaldson remarked upon a "wild slapstick moment that will hopefully not result in an injury to Forbes before August is out."<ref>[https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/article/73246-daphne-do-edinburgh/ Daphne Do Edinburgh – Wild and original sketches from a three-man team clearly going places], ''The List''</ref>
==Credits==
===Film and television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2013 | ''Kerry'' | Various | TV pilot |- | rowspan="2"|2014 | ''[[The Mimic (TV series)|The Mimic]]'' | Spa worker | TV series (1 episode) |- | ''The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm'' | PC Peasey | TV film |- | rowspan="3"|2015 | ''[[Pompidou (TV series)|Pompidou]]'' | Ambulance Volunteer | TV series (1 episodes) |- | BBC's ''Fresh from the Fringe'' | Various | As part of sketch trio, [[Daphne (comedy)|Daphne]] |- | ''Professor Branestawm Returns'' | PC Peasey | TV film |- | 2015–present | ''[[Horrible Science#TV series|Horrible Science]]'' | Junior/Various | TV series (10 episodes) |- |rowspan="2"|2016 |''[[Tracey Ullman's Show]]'' |Various | |- |''[[The Windsors]]'' | Paramedic | TV series (1 episode)<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6514395/ Jason Forbes IMDB]</ref> |- |2017 |''[[Borg/McEnroe]]'' | [[Arthur Ashe]] | Feature film<ref>[http://daphnecomedy.co.uk/who/#jason Jason, Daphne Comedy – Official Website]</ref> |- |2017–2022 |''[[The Mash Report]]'' |Nathan Muir<ref name=":0">[https://jasonforbes.co.uk/bio/ Jason Forbes – Official Website]</ref> |TV series |- |2020 |''[[Spitting Image (2020 TV series)|Spitting Image]]'' |[[Idris Elba]]/[[Lewis Hamilton]] |TV series |- |rowspan="4"|2024 |''[[A Gentleman in Moscow (TV series)|A Gentleman in Moscow]]'' |Nachevko |TV series |- | ''[[3 Body Problem (TV series)|3 Body Problem]]'' | [[Omar Khayyam]] |TV series |- |''[[Renegade Nell]]'' |Court Clerk<ref name=":0" /> |TV series |- |''[[My Lady Jane]]'' |Scrope (2 episodes) |TV series |}
===Radio=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2015 | BBC Radio 4's ''Fresh from the Fringe'' | Various | As part of sketch trio, [[Daphne (comedy)|Daphne]] |- | 2015–2017 |''[[Newsjack]]'' ([[BBC Radio 4 Extra]]) |Various |Series 13, Episode 4;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Episode 4, Series 13, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06f3dcy|publisher=BBC|access-date=3 October 2015}}</ref> Series 14, Episode 2;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Episode 2, Series 14, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b070wqp9|publisher=BBC|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref><br>Series 15, Episode 5;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Episode 5, Series 15, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07xywqd|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref> Series 16, Episode 1<ref>{{Cite web|title=Episode 1, Series 16, Newsjack – BBC Radio 4 Extra|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08bwvk3|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref> |- |2016 |''[[Daphne Sounds Expensive]]'' ([[BBC Radio 4]]) |Creator / Writer / Performer |Radio series<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/radio-4-comedy-commissions Radio 4’s Comedy Commissioner announces a raft of new commissions], BBC Media Centre</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07lpmq2 ''Daphne Sounds Expensive''], BBC Radio 4</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|2017 |''Life on Egg'' ([[BBC Radio 4]]) |Skulk / Tim / Nev / Doubleday |Radio sitcom<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b087p3sm ''Life on Egg'' – Episode 1, Inspection], BBC Radio 4</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b087tx29 ''Life on Egg'' – Episode 2, CCTV], BBC Radio 4</ref> |- |''[[Ankle Tag]]'' (BBC Radio 4) |Trevor / Chris |Series 1, Episode 1<ref>{{Cite web|title=Episode 1, Series 1, Ankle Tag – BBC Radio 4|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b091w4cx|publisher=BBC|access-date=23 August 2017}}</ref> |}
=== Video games === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role |- || 2022 | ''[[Xenoblade Chronicles 3]]'' | Mwamba<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Jason Forbes (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Jason-Forbes/ |access-date=6 August 2025 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> |}
== Awards and nominations == Forbes' [[sketch comedy|sketch]] group Daphne were the winners of the London Sketchfest's prize for 'Best New Act' in 2015.<ref>[http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/seven-sketch-comedy-shows-to-see-at-the-2015-edinburgh-festival-fringe Seven sketch comedy shows to see at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe], TimeOut</ref> Their first [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] show, ''Daphne Do Edinburgh'', was critically acclaimed<ref>[http://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2015/features/edinburgh_fringe_best_shows_2015/ Best-reviewed Edinburgh Fringe shows 2015], ''British Comedy Guide''</ref> and Daphne were nominated for the 2015 [[Edinburgh Comedy Awards|Edinburgh Comedy Award]] for 'Best Newcomer'.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-34066365 Foster's Edinburgh Comedy awards shortlist announced], BBC News</ref><ref>[https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/08/26/23119/record_8_nominees_for_edinburgh_comedy_award Record 8 nominees for Edinburgh Comedy Award], ''Chortle''</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.comedyawards.co.uk/newcomers.asp |title=Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards – newcomers |access-date=9 September 2015 |archive-date=6 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006102935/http://comedyawards.co.uk/newcomers.asp |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forbes, Jason}} [[Category:1990 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:21st-century English male actors]] [[Category:Alumni of Jesus College, Cambridge]] [[Category:Black British male actors]] [[Category:Comedians from Bristol]] [[Category:English comedy writers]] [[Category:English male comedians]] [[Category:English male film actors]] [[Category:English male radio actors]] [[Category:English male stage actors]] [[Category:English male television actors]] [[Category:English male voice actors]] [[Category:English people of Dominica descent]] [[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]] [[Category:English sketch comedians]] [[Category:Male actors from Bristol]] [[Category:People educated at Queen Elizabeth's Hospital, Bristol]]