Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott is best known for her critically acclaimed performance in the film Nemesis opposite Billy Murray and Bruce Payne. Her most recent role is in the newly released international action film Renegades starring alongside Danny Trejo, Lee Majors, and Michael Paré. Other notable film roles include The Exorcism of Karen Walker with Shane Taylor and The Krays: Dead Man Walking with Guy Henry, as well as many other award-winning roles in short films.
A trained dancer, Jeanine performed with the British Ballet Organization and was offered a scholarship by the Royal Ballet until an injury prevented her from pursuing those dreams. She turned from dance to music, became an accomplished musician, and was first violin in the Kingston Youth Orchestra. But her now-or-never attitude led her to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an actress. Jeanine is one of the founders of the disruptive independent production company Shogun Films.
Since her son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 2, she has become a staunch advocate for Diabetes charities, running in several marathons for the charities, including the London Marathon. When not working, Jeanine enjoys fashion, fast cars, and spending time with her four children and husband, producer Jonathan Sothcott.
HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS JEANINE NERISSA SOTHCOTT IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I’m an English actress and one of the founders of the indie film company Shogun Films, which specialises in action movies. I came to acting later in life, in my forties, which is a challenge but one I love. I’m married to the film producer Jonathan Sothcott and have 4 children. I love theatre, music, the gym, fast cars, fashion, travel and our dog Barney the cocker spaniel.
HOW AND WHEN EXACTLY DID YOU REALIZE YOU HAD A PASSION FOR ACTING?
I’ve always had a burning passion for the arts – music, singing, drama, ballet – were it not for an injury I may well have ended up as a ballerina in my youth… but life sort of got in the way and I ended up working in accountancy in The City of London. When my son Gabriel was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of two it turned my life upside down and really made me think that if I didn’t change gears then, I wouldn’t get another chance. I was doing some radio presenting about diabetes and a guy I was working with said to me “you know you really don’t have the face for radio” and I thought maybe he’s right. So I threw myself into dozens of short films and fringe stage productions and spent several years earning my spurs. I ended up running my own theatre group, organising and curating scratch nights for new writing. And I loved it, I really really loved it.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR NEMESIS CHARACTER, SADIE? WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT HER?
Sadie was a joy – Adam, the writer, wrote her with me in mind so I was involved in the development process on that one. She’s ballsy, stubborn and unswervingly loyal to her family, all of which I am – plus she has a mean right hook. I really liked the fact that we made “Nemesis” a glamorous film, designer clothes, expensive watches, private jets – it stood out from the usual track suits and old bangers in British crime films. The kind of thugs these films usually depict leave me pretty cold so it was refreshing to see these old school gentleman gangsters prowling around like very regal lions… and Sadie was right in there with them. A lovely role I really got a lot out of.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU LIKED THE MOST ABOUT THE NEMESIS SCRIPT?
That, unusually for a British gangster film, it had really strong roles for women. Usually in this genre they are just strippers or hookers but we had 4 really interesting roles, all strong women in their own way. I also liked the fact I got to have a fight with the Zoe character, and while it was nowhere near as hard-hitting as I’d have liked, people appreciated it nonetheless. I practiced karate for many years so I really would like to do more action on screen but I think that was a good start.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH BILLY MURRAY AND BRUCE PAYNE?
Billy is my husband’s second father really, he’s like family – he gave me away at our wedding. So that was really easy, he’s a lovely, easy-going man, not at all like the hardman characters he plays. Bruce I didn’t get to act with (though I wish I did) but I was helping out the day he filmed his scenes and it was great to watch him work, he’s a real character and it was amazing watching him switch off from being this sort of reptilian villain to just being a really sweet actor chatting about the next job and his flight to the UK. Both of those actors have so much gravity – a real treat. It was also wonderful to work with Nick Moran for the first time, who is a very important part of our little repertory company at Shogun. He’s such a thoughtful, intelligent actor, it was a joy to watch him work, particularly in his scenes with Ricky Grover, another wonderful actor.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN RENEGADES.
I play a tough Scotland Yard cop, Detective Annie Moore, who is investigating the murder of Carver (Lee Majors) and the subsequent vigilante revenge killings. Initially she doesn’t see the Renegades as credible suspects due to their age, but slowly she comes round to the idea that they can do a more effective job of taking down the gang lead by Goram (Louis Mandylor) than her police force. She has history with an ex CIA operative played by the wonderful Michael Paré and he gives her a steer that sometimes the law isn’t always right. Eventually she basically becomes part of the gang. I have always wanted to play a cop, growing up on shows like CHIPS and Cagney and Lacey so this was something of a dream role. I also got to shoot someone which was great fun.
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME WHERE YOU HAD DIFFICULTY WITH A CHARACTER. WHAT WAS THE ROLE AND WHY WAS IT CHALLENGING?
To be honest I find the whole process such a joy that I never struggle – I’m so happy and grateful to be doing what I love that it never feels like work, let alone hard work. It doesn’t matter what you do, how cold it is, whatever – at the end of the day I’m living my dream when I’m performing and you can’t ask for more than that.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
Currently Jennifer Lopez, Eva Mendez and my heroine Angelina Jolie – all remarkable women who have opened doors for actresses who aren’t typical cookie cutter Hollywood types. I also love Old Hollywood – Bette Davis is an icon. She came to England in the 60s and did a couple of movies I adore, “The Nanny” and particularly” The Anniversary”, which is a delicious black comedy based on a stage play. I’d love to do something like that when I’m older.
WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?
I have to complete my Rubik’s Cube every day! No, really! I know it is super nerdy but I find it incredibly relaxing and it keeps my brain working.
ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS/ROLES YOU CAN TALK ABOUT?
My next film is a western called “Reckoning Day”, written by Robert Dunn and to be directed by Brandon Slagle. It’s a revenge movie set during the gold rush, the script is brilliant and I am so excited about that. After that is a horror-thriller called “Chase”, based on the novel by Shaun Hutson, again with Brandon directing. That one is so, so dark – like Duel meets The Wicker Man. There is also a project we’re developing called “Eyewitness”, written by Josh Ridgway and to be directed by Reg Traviss. That’s a revenge movie too but this time with a mafia background. 2023 is shaping up to be very exciting.
WHAT IS ONE MESSAGE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO YOUR FANS?
To the people who leave nice comments publicly on my social media – I really appreciate it, and you, I think all actresses do. It is so nice when people watch your movie and seek you out and say something nice publicly because not only do I see it but so does everyone else who looks. That can really brighten up your day.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
I’m on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, though I should probably use them all more. On Instagram I’m @jeaninenerissa on Facebook @JeanineNerissaActress and on Twitter @JanineNerissa (I started acting as Janine as people said ‘Jeanine’ was too hard to spell but I thought better of it and stuck to my guns!).
