User:BigCrocOnTheBlock/Jason Hughes (actor)

Jason Hughes (born 1971) is a Welsh actor known for playing as Sargent Ben Jones in BBC TV series, “Midsomer Murders” (2005-2013) and the (1996-1997) sitcom drama This Life whom he played Lawyer Warren Jones. Hughes has also appeared in theatre such as the 1999 re-enactment of “Our Country’s Good” as the Second lieutenant Ralph Clark. Hughes’s biggest inspirations growing up were Tony Hopkins and fellow actor Michael Sheen. .

Back ground, Early Life and Education
Jason Hughes’s heritage descends from Italy and Wales; his grandfather Raldo Caprinini was the son of an Italian immigrant from the north of Italy (Bardi) who came and settled into Ammanford (Wales). Hughes Great grandfather was originally trained to lay train tracks but eventually began an ice-cream business. Hughes Grandfather (Mothers side) became a policeman in Porthcawl where he was a Sargent.

Jason Hughes was born in south wales and spent most of his early childhood there with his family. Hughes planned to become a sportsman in either rugby or cricket as a teenager but he had to become a lot bigger and lacked the support to become a first class rugby player. When Hughes attended a comprehensive school, from the age of about 11 – 12 he had a teacher that inspired him in his drama classes and encouraged him to apply for the National Youth Theatre.

Hughes studied drama at in the “National Youth Theatre of Wales” where he met Michael Sheen in the summer of 1987. He also met actors Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon and Hywel Simons; Simons was a School friend of Hughes in Porthcawl. A few years later, Hughes went on to study drama at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and moved in with Michael Sheen and mutual friend Hywel Simons. Hughes went on to play in the 1999 production of Look Back in Anger with Michael Sheen at the National Youth theatre and the Caligula at the Donmar.

Career and Legacy
Jason Hughes first big role was lawyer Warren Jones in “this life” which aired from 1996 – 1997. It revolves around a group of posh, badly behaved, young lawyers who end up emotionally detached from each other usually due to sex. It was the UK’s hottest drama show of the 1990s and the show won five awards including the Royal Television Society’s award for best drama. Hughes’s character had an impact on the gay community since his character is portrayed as homosexual, causing young gay men to write letters to Hughes about their stories of coming out to their families.

Hughes starred in the murder mystery television series Midsomer Murders as Detective Sargent Ben Jones in 2005. The show revolves around two detectives who solve gory and unique murders amongst the tranquil setting of Midsomer County. Hughes was origanlly told to speak in an English language as his Welsh accent did not fit the character criteria. Hughes was aware of the show's repertoire after watching a few episodes and he knew the standards the directors were looking for. So After 2 years of this role, Hughes now had had a steady pay cheque which caused him to sign-up for another 2 years. The 7 years of acting on midsomer murders influenced Hughes’s acting by learning a technical language and getting used to the lines and formats of scripts. However, In 2013, Hughes left Midsomer Murders after feeling exhausted and detached from his family life.

In 1999, Hughes acted in Our Country’s Good as Ralph Clark; the second lieutenant who is ordered to gather a group of negative and demoralised convicts into a cast that is able to re-enact Farquhar’s “The Performing Officer.” Hughes was introduced to a six week rehearsal period. Hughes’s character, Ralph Clark was subject to observing the convicts being punished and sentenced to death. Clark gets tired of the constant battle and the heat of the drama, going out of his way to disrupt the rehearsals. .

The 1999 production of “Look back in Anger” is another theatrical role of Hughes where he plays Cliff lewis alongside co-actor Michael Sheen who plays Jimmy porter. The plot resides a deluded young man (Jimmy Porter) who is abusive to everyone around him especially his wife Alison. Cliff (Jason Hughes) is a loyal friend of Jimmy’s and goes out of his way to try and keep peace with him. Despite Jimmy’s mood swings, he and Cliff have strong bond of friendship.

Personal Life
Hughes is a father of 3 children; Molly, Max and Carys. He is married to jewellery designer Natasha Dahlberg who used to be an actor. Hughes calls himself a family man and part of what caused him to leave Midsomer Murders was due to being away from home for up to six months. When he isn’t acting or spending time with his wife and children, Hughes goes swimming and does yoga. Hughes played in a band called Butterfly McQueen where he sang back-up vocals and played guitar.