Jamie Draven
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Jamie Draven (sometimes credited as Jaime Draven, birth name Jamie Donnelly) is a British actor born on 14 May 1979, in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Notable appearances include the 2000 film Billy Elliot where he as Billy's elder brother, Tony.
Draven has also appeared in Everybody Loves Sunshine (1999), Butterfly Collectors (1999), Messiah (2001), Ultimate Force (2002-03), Watermelon (2003), Faith (2005) and Beneath The Skin (2006). He can next be seen in Badland (set for release in September 2006 in the United States) and in Jetsam. He is currently starring in the 3-part ITV1 drama series Mobile during March 2007.
He has worked with actress Alex Reid on several occassions, including Series 1 and 2 of Ultimate Force, Episode 2 of Mobile and in Jetsam.
[edit] Early life
His mother is called Kath. Jamie is the youngest of three brothers (his siblings are John and Jason). Early in life Jamie wanted to be a footballer but turned his attentions to acting at 16. He failed all his GCSE School Examinations, but retook them and then progressed to A-Levels. He could not get to grips with A-Levels so moved to London to become an actor. He had no theatrical training and no CV. At 19 with just two small parts behind him he got the role in Granada Television's drama "Butterfly Collectors" (1999).
[edit] Ultimate Force
Jamie Draven plays Corporal Jamie Dow, a member of a fictional SAS team called Red Troop and appears in Series 1 & 2 of Ultimate Force.
Jamie is introduced as a new SAS recruit in Episode 1, Series 1, alongside Corporal Alex Leonard, played by Sendhil Ramamurthy. The two have this is fucking amazing a close friendship which is soon shattered by the death of Alex's brother Sam, whom Jamie had to report injured but then move on without helping. Alex is antagonistic towards Jamie until Episode 5 of Series 1.
Jamie is soon picked out as being the best sniper of the team and thus is given prominent jobs in Episode 2 'Just A Target', Episode 5 'The Killing of a One-Eyed Bookie',Episode 6 'Something to do with Justice' and Episode 1 (Series 2), 'Communication'. This is sometimes to the envy of other members of Red Troop. He forms good friendships with Corporal Ricky Mann, played by Danny Sapani and Sergeant Pete Twamley, played by Tony Curran.
His family background is touched upon during the Series. Jamie stole several cars when he was young in an attempt to escape family life. Jamie's mother suffers from a stroke in Episode 1, Series 1 and dies in Episode 4, Series 2. Jamie comes across as being angry with her and doesn't attend her funeral. Whilst his mother is sick, she is cared for by Jamie's sister Beth.
Jamie does not get on with his stepfather, who beat him whilst he was a child and who now also beats his brother and sister. When Jamie hears of this in Episode 2, Series 2, he hunts his stepfather down and beats him up. After his mother dies, the stepfather throws out Beth and her brother and they go to Jamie's house. Jamie, upon realising that his stepfather has continued to beat his siblings, attempts to go back again to find him. He is stopped by his friend, Corporal Ricky Mann. Later on the police approach Jamie to tell him his stepfather was killed with a brick. Jamie has an alibi for the time of the murder.
During Series 1 Jamie falls for Captain Caroline Walshe, played Alex Reid, and the two share a passionate kiss in Episode 6, Series 1. This develops into a secret relationship in Episode 1, Series 2. However Henno, upon discovering it, fearful that this will distract Jamie and bring an end to his career, insists the two end it, which they do.
Jamie comes across as a thoughtful and sensitive character. He is upset by having to leave Sam to die, even though he was following orders. He chides Staff Sergeant Henry 'Henno' Garvie, played by Ross Kemp, for his brutality in Episode 1. He is professional about this work and takes it seriously when he makes mistakes. He has qualms about lying for the regiment in Episode 2, Series 2. He is on the whole a reserved but loyal character whose life is now the regiment that he serves.
