Connor Jessup plays a teenage boy struggling with his identity in the new season of ABC's "American Crime." It's a coming-of-age theme seen in his previous film roles such as Sean Randall in "Blackbird" and Oscar Madly in "Closet Monster," but Jessup insists that it's only a coincidence, "up to a point."
"I think if you look at most people my age, it's probably somewhat similar," the 21-year-old actor told Headlines & Global News in an exclusive interview. "I've just been fortunate that they've been so good because I could have easily ended up exploring the same themes on 'Degrassi.'"
Jessup nervously added, "Nothing against 'Degrassi.'"
A role on the Canadian teen soap wouldn't have been outside the realm of possibility for the Toronto native, and he recognizes his fortune for working with "exciting and interesting" writers, directors and actors so far in his young career.
Jessup started his acting career at age 11. A restless child with no interests in sports or other extracurricular activities, his parents signed him up for a drama club hoping he would burn off some energy in class.
"I think there were a couple kids there who had agents and were going out for Doritos commercials. I thought that sounded cool. I tried to convince my parents to help me get an agent, and that's kind of how it started," Jessup said.
His first two years in the business involved commercial bits and small guest appearances. Then at age 13, he auditioned for a role on the children's program "The Saddle Club." During his callback, the producers asked if he knew how to horseback ride, and Jessup told them yes despite having absolutely no horseback-riding experience.
"I don't know why. I lied so spectacularly," Jessup said, laughing. "I had never been on a horse before, and then they asked me how long I had been horseback riding, and I said three years. If I'm going to lie, why not keep it close to reality? But as soon as I got the part, I spent every day before I left [to film in Australia] at a ranch trying to get my riding legs going."
His lack of horseback riding experience actually played well into his character, who was terrified of horses but over the course of the series grew more comfortable riding them. The skill also came in handy for Jessup later while starring on the TNT show "Falling Skies," where he had to ride on horseback again.
"It all comes back around," he said.
Be sure to catch "American Crime," which premieres tonight, Jan. 6 at 10 p.m. EST on ABC. Jessup can also be seen in the film "Closet Monster," which was recently picked up for distribution in the U.S. and should premiere later this summer.
