“If I make it, the whole hood makes it.” In Hometown, Jasmine Jobson is visiting her old neighbourhood, the Lisson Green Estate, D-Block also known as Dinton House, in north-west London. While driving around the city’s roads, she bumps into someone she hasn’t seen in around 10 years, who marvels at the heights she’s reached. Within that time, Jasmine has unquestionably made it. Her breakout role as Jaq Lawrence in Netflix’s Top Boy saw her seize the BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actress this May, and there’s a sense that something bigger is on the horizon. This summer, Jasmine had her biggest fashion moment yet at the Cannes Film Festival; she attended in support of her forthcoming role in Andrea Arnold’s Bird, due for release later in 2024.
These are remarkable heights for the young girl of D-Block, whose route to red carpets was far from assured. Driving through her old stomping ground in the Range Rover Evoque, she’s stirred by memories of early years where she felt excluded and struggled to make ends meet. While her life has turned 180 since then, Jasmine always had an aspirational streak: even in tough times, there were glimpses of a budding young thespian waiting for her light to be discovered. She smiles, remembering how she would sing Alicia Keys “at the top of my lungs down Edgware Road. The whole area would know that I was here just from hearing a song.”
Her talent was palpable to all that crossed her path. At the encouragement of her “phenomenal” foster carer, Jasmine enrolled in an acting workshop at Paddington Arts. Midway through the film, the actress revisits the youth organisation to meet current students, reflecting on how the place marked a key turning point in her life. It’s a touching moment that underlines the necessity of local, youth-focused arts organisations, as well as Jasmine’s determination to set a positive example for young people who have had a similar start to her. Meanwhile, at Hackney’s Ridley Road Market, she revisits the filming location for some of her most scene-stealing Top Boy moments.
“To me, Range Rover means luxury and comfort,” says Jasmine. In the film, her journey through London is assisted by the hybrid vehicle’s thoughtful features, such as an integrated dash cam, Cabin Air Purification Plus filtration system, and a floating touchscreen to help her find her way to the next destination.
Visiting these different locations elucidates both the physical and emotional journey of Jasmine’s life, showing her ability to overcome hurdles and to lead by example. Though the BAFTA success is a culmination, it is not the end. Reciting Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 50,” aka “How heavy do I journey on the way,” Jasmine intones with passion, proud of her own talent, and how far she’s come.
Discover the Range Rover Evoque