James Martin, who made history in 2023 when his short film won an Oscar, opens up about his cameo in Derry Girl creator Lisa McGee’s dark comedy which lands this week
James Martin, who has a cameo in Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee’s new Netflix show How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, is wearing a swanky leopard-skin jacket when the Mirror catches up with him exclusively at the launch of the much-anticipated comedy crime thriller.
The 33-year-old – who famously melted hearts in Hollywood when the short film he starred in won an Oscar, tells us beaming at the premiere with fellow cast at Belfast’s Queens Film Theatre, “Oh, this is the same jacket I wore to the Oscars in America – so yeah, I’d say it’s pretty famous. It’s very special for me!”
Of his latest role – as detective, ‘Tommy’ in the riotous new show, set in Belfast and its surroundings this time rather than Derry, he says, “As a proud Belfast man, I am very grateful and proud and thankful to Lisa McGee that she’s given me a role in this show.”
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He added, “She is absolutely brilliant. No spoilers, but I will say that a lot of people are going to find this show fun, funny and serious in parts, too.”
James’ rise to fame began in earnest In 2023, when Northern Irish short film An Irish Goodbye won the Academy Award for best live-action short on what was his 31st birthday – making him the first actor with Down’s syndrome to be part of a cast to win a golden statuette.
In what must have been a very memorable 31st indeed, he met Hollywood A-listers from Colin Farrell to Elton John, many of whom joined in the serenade of Happy birthday to Martin at LA’s Dolby Theatre during the ceremony.
Ahead of the glitzy awards, James even pitched up in a Los Angeles pub – playing his harmonica for a rendition of Dirty Old Town in a jam session.
A black comedy set on a rural farm in Glenmornan, a small hamlet west of County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, the short film follows two brothers, Turlough and Lorcan, who are estranged.
After his historic win, James – who still works as a barista in a branch of Starbucks in his hometown, said, “I’m the first person with Down’s Syndrome not just getting a Bafta but also getting an Oscar, especially in the time of my birthday – it’s just fantastic.”
And James, who is an ambassador for Mencap Northern Ireland, told the Mirror he couldn’t be prouder to be representing the Down’s Syndrome community on screen.
“I always say to people, follow your dreams, don’t let anything stop you – and never judge a book by its cover. I have Down’s Syndrome, but people have other physical and mental disabilities, autism… I love to talk to people, spread awareness and fly the flag for people with disabilities.”
James got the acting bug after joining Belfast-based Babosh theatre company, which was set up about 20 years ago for children with learning disabilities and went on to appear in crime drama Marcella, among other roles.
The Mirror attended the premiere of How to Get To Heaven From Belfast in conjunction with Tourism NI. The show is streaming on Netflix from 12 February.
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