Jules Robertson
{{short description|British actor (born 1991)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jules Robertson
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Julius Robertson
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1991}}
| birth_place = London, England
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Actor
| father = Geoffrey Robertson
| mother = Kathy Lette
| years_active = 2014–present
}}
Julius Robertson (born 1991){{cite news |first=Kathy |last=Lette |title=Drama schools rejected my son. He has just won his second best actor award |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/drama-schools-rejected-my-son-he-has-just-won-his-second-best-actor-award-20230210-p5cjks.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=February 19, 2023}} is a British actor, best known for his role as Jason Haynes in the BBC medical drama Holby City. Both Robertson and the character of Jason are autistic.
Career
When he was eighteen, Robertson decided to become an actor. He enrolled at Regent's University, London, becoming their first known autistic pupil. He subsequently won a college award for excellence. He later joined Access All Areas, which solely represents neurodivergent actors.
=''Holby City''=
In 2015, Robertson was cast in the semi-regular role of Jason Haynes in Holby City, becoming one of the first autistic actors to actually play a neurodivergent role in a major BBC drama.{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Julius |title=Julius Robertson: 'Autistic people have extraordinary minds, this play will help you understand us more' |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/burning-bridges-julius-robertson-theatre503_41925.html |website=WhatsOnStage.com |access-date=1 March 2019 |date=3 October 2016}} He continued to play the part up until the show's last episode in 2022. His performance received acclaim from critics and neurodivergent organisations.{{cite web |title=Drama shortlist |url=https://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/uncut/shortlist/drama.aspx |website=National Autistic Society |access-date=1 March 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Alan |title=Being autistic will not stop my acting career, says Holby City's Jules Robertson |url=https://www.sundaypost.com/in10/chat/autistic-will-not-stop-acting-career-says-holby-citys-jules-robertson/ |website=The Sunday Post |publisher=(DC Thomson) |access-date=1 March 2019 |date=12 August 2016}}{{cite web |title=Talented Youth Patron Jules Robertson to appear in BBC's Holby City |url=https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/understanding-autism/talented-youth-patron-jules-robertson-to-appear-in-bbc-s-holby-city |website=Ambitious about Autism |access-date=1 March 2019 |date=11 February 2016}}
Robertson expressed hopes that his character would inspire further representation for those on the spectrum: “I hope that I'm seen as a role model. I hope that I'm encouraging people with other conditions or people who are on the spectrum and have autism or mild learning difficulties. If they watch me on Holby City I hope I'm showing them that it can happen for them and they shouldn't lose faith and hope.”{{cite web |title=My role on Holby City helps change attitudes about autism – Jules |url=https://blog.scope.org.uk/2016/06/29/my-role-on-holby-city-helps-change-attitudes-about-autism-jules/ |website=Scope |access-date=1 March 2019 |date=29 June 2016}}
=Later work=
Robertson has made guest appearances in Endeavour and Midsomer Murders. He has expressed interest in playing a James Bond villain, and hopes to become the first neurodivergent actor to portray Hamlet.{{cite news |first=Jules |last=Robertson |title=Autistic People Are Acting Every Day - Acting Trying To Be Normal |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jules-robertson/acting-autism-diversity_b_18302702.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvLnVrLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK9JV-Impo0U2oSH3U0fSI5WuCT8Dx6xOPZZfYWjtqxAqUbO_-81LD6zIK3w6rWCCcyn6REExJbjk2qbrBMC28RbzgI7gPXZzJ2KMpnGa4oLPD6wuIb4rwWm6N30VuWid98WVKzIJSxPGtXDsMpXQH3k9iSjHjTqSB4UY8KOxwos |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=www.huffingtonpost.co.uk |date=October 18, 2017}}
Personal life
Robertson was born in London.{{cite news |first=Emma |last=Purcell |title=Actor Jules Robertson on living with Asperger's and rising to fame in Holby City |url=https://disabilityhorizons.com/2019/05/actor-jules-robertson-on-living-with-aspergers-and-rising-to-fame-in-holby-city/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=disabilityhorizons.com |date=May 27, 2019}} Robertson's Australian-born parents are barrister Geoffrey Robertson and author Kathy Lette.{{cite news |first=Jane |last=Wheatley |title=Author Two of us: Kathy Lette and Julius |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/two-of-us-kathy-lette-and-julius-20140728-3coal.html |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=August 2, 2014}} He has a younger sister, Georgina.{{cite news |first=Shauna |last=Anderson |title=Author Kathy Lette has penned a breathtaking post about her 25-year-old son with autism. |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/kathy-lettes-son-jules-robertson/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |work=Mamamia |date=June 27, 2016}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1999
| Mad Cows | Boy in mothercare | Credited as Julius Robertson |
| 2016–2022
| 49 episodes |
| 2017
| Air | Danny | Short film |
| 2021
| Debating Society President | Episode: “Colours” |
| 2021
| Love | Oscar | Short film |
| 2022
| Charlie Cabot | Episode: “The Debt of Lies” |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|nm0731914|Jules Robertson}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Jules}}
Category:20th-century English male actors
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:Male actors from London
Category:British actors with disabilities
Category:English male child actors
Category:English male television actors