Aml Ameen is a rising star who has managed to do what many actors in the UK strive to do; crack America. He has worked in theatre, TV and film. Aml has had a number of great TV and theatre roles but most notable he played PC Lewis Hardy in The Bill for five years and has appeared in many of our top TV soaps such as Eastenders and Holby City. His film credits include Channel 4’s Fallout by Roy Williams and who can forget his lead role in the Noel Clarke film Kidulthood.  Aml is now a known face in the US after landing a reoccurring role in American legal comedy drama Harry’s Law starring Kathy Bates. Aml lives in LA but is currently in New York working on a film. On top of his flourishing acting career Aml runs his own drama school ASA Drama School http://ameendream.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/asadramaschoolautumn/ and on top of that he also has a film production company http://www.ameendreamentertainment.com/

Why did you get into acting?

I think I loved as a child being the centre of attention, I still do to a degree (although being famous makes you become a bit shy, cause you got the attention without working for it), I loved to entertain and from an early age of 5 and 6 my brothers and sisters and I would put on shows for my father (think Jacksons without the licks) and being from a huge family, you can't be quiet, you have to stand out, and talk up or you get lost in the crowd. That journey for me began when I ran to my mum and dad, after watching Macaulay Culkin in Home alone and all the fun he had, and said "dad, mum, I wanna be an actor" and they just supported me, I went to stage school from 6. Performing tap, dance, ballet, for the next 10 years of my life. Barbara Speake Stage School will always reflect fondly on the times I had there. Just wanting to produce the best work and be the best everything. A stage school environment makes you very competitive. And I’ve kept that drive and passion for 20 years now, that's how long vie been in entertainment professionally, it's a long time to stick at something.

What was your first acting role?

My first job was 123 Hullabaloo with Floella Benjamin kids show. But my first acting job properly was playing young Sammy Davis in the west end with Brian Connely as Al Jolson, in the Jolson West End Musical. It was bloody brilliant. It was electrifying being on stage as a kid 2286 people watching your performance and cheering you on, amazing. That's why nothing beats the immediate gratification of theatre for an actor.

You’ve worked with Noel Clarke, was the experience like?

Terrible everything you've heard about Noel is true. He's a mad genius hahahaha. I’ve haven't worked with Noel since I was 19 years old, we had a great time working on Kidulthood, him ushering us young kids into these parts that came from his heart. And he's gone onto really achieve good things. He has my respect forever for getting off his arse and writing Kidulthood, a film that has helped define my career. He's a good business man and gets things done. 

What has been your favourite TV and film role?

The next one. I'm such a process fiend. I love the process of developing characters, that the next one is always interesting to me, and seeing if I can truly sit in the mind body and spirit of another human being and affectively move an audience.

Have you come up against any struggles?

Many. Making the decision to continually take risks, saying things like "Art over commerce", where you choose not to do a job because it has no real value to your career. And ultimately that's what you're investing in, the longevity of your career, doing work that I can be proud of, and believing in my talents and ability enough to sometimes say no if the job doesn't fit in with the trajectory of what I want from my career. But I'm an audacious risk taker at times, so I often roll the dice, and pray for the best.

What made you move to America?

Opportunity. I had an opportunity that my manager presented to me, and I grabbed it with both hands, and two luggage bags. America is for me career wise, it’s where the biggest movie stars are, the platform for international talent to be profiled on a world stage. So I came here and I’m still here working on achieving the results that my mind imagines, and my heart so desires. Hollywood is in the major leagues of the entertainment industry. I’m here to be the rookie of the year, and potentially in the hall of fame.

You are currently starring in Harry’s Law. Tell us about it and the role you play.

Harry's Law is classic David E Kelley Comedy Drama, which stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates, as Harry a curmudgeon lawyer who quits her high profile law practice, to begin her own legal office in a shoe store. I play Malcolm Davis an ex drug addict, that tries to commit suicide because he's gonna be going to jail. As he jumps to his demise, he lands on Harry Korn (the wonderful Kathy Bates) and he takes this as divine intervention, that he was meant to live. He becomes determined to have Harry represent him in the court. It's a great show, I grew up watching Alley Mcbeal with my mum, so I have always loved David's writing.

You are also working on an American film, tell me about that.

I just finished Evidence playing Detective Ronald Jenson, a Vegas police officer who alongside Steven Moyer and Rahda Mitchell (who star) is trying to track down a serial killer. It's from the same producers of Drive and I loved playing someone older; 30 years old, married, a very stern man who rarely smiles, who’s all about his work. That and the fly suit and the gun. Bring more of that on!

You have been creating opportunities for other actors can you tell me about your drama school?

ASA Drama school has been up and running for three years now, I began it back in 2009, as a weekend workshop, and the interest and the effect it was having on people's lives grew. When I moved out to the states, I put it under management, led by new tutors from Rada and many different prestigious institutions. ASA is really a beginning and a training ground for young actors to come and begin to harness their craft, be in a safe environment where our key focus is to unlock the talent within actors. Our actors are currently touring England doing plays, they've starred in many mainstream British TV. We are growing as a company, and will continue to. The new term begins February 2012.

Can you tell me about your production company?

AmeenDream Entertainment is me; it's my passion for storytelling, my vision of where I want films to go in the future, especially from the British perspective. This year I had a launch of the company at BAFTA, where many of my industry friends attended. AmeenDream premiered three films The Pick UP, Special Delivery, and Drinks Drugs and KFC, I wrote and directed two of them, and it was a challenge. Directing requires a tremendous amount of preparation, I'd dare say much more than actor. On set you're taking care of your vision so that includes, actors’ performances, cinematography, but very rewarding. I aim to produce two features over the next year with the company, so fingers crossed, everything comes together, and AmeenDream Entertainment will be on the map.

What is Drinks Drugs and KFC about?

Drinks Drugs and KFC, is a short film version on a feature film. It's a coming of age story told from the perspective of this teenage kid Nathan, who is in love with most popular girl at his college, Montana. At the end of the year dance, he plans to win her over, but in his own way and he desires to fit into this group of boys that he's admired for years which includes Max, Montana’s ex-boyfriend. The short has got a lot of internet buzz, people are interested in the film (I think) cause it's refreshing and a new look at the experience of growing up in the UK. It's funny and fast paced, and I cannot wait to be on set shooting with excellent cast I put together.

What is The Code about?

The Code that I released is also a short version of a feature, but I’ll keep that uderwraps for now.

You also appeared in the short film Zion can you tell me how that came about?

Sheila Nortley who co-produced for AmeenDream for a while, asked me to jump on board as an actor for the short, and I agreed. She's a good hardworking woman, I wish her luck.

Are there any other projects you are working on?

Always. But best to focus on them becoming a reality, and other people see the fruits, when it has grown.

Can you recall and embarrassing audition or experience on set or stage?

Anytime you begin messing up your lines continuously it feels bad. All of a sudden you think you've become telepathic and can hear everyone saying “you suck”. Directing your own sex scene, or in the case of The Code, an after sex scene,  can be pretty embarrassing, ‘cause you want the women to feel comfortable, but then you got to turn on the character, who's a complete Don Juan. But in all honesty acting is NOT a pretty profession, we are willing to go to the side of being human, that the average person is trying to bury and not feel. That's what makes actors special and the craft a bit perverse at times. 

If you were not in the entertainment business what career do you think you would have?

Something to do with speaking like maybe a lawyer, or something competitive, like being an athlete. I have so much respect and time for athletes, they push themselves in a way that I admire and try to incorporate into my life.

Is there a film you wish you were in or a role you wish you had played?

Malcolm X, Vinnie Chase (Entourage), and I are convinced I could have been in The Wire, if I moved here a few years earlier.

Who are your favourite actors and why?

Favourite at the moment: Christian Bale, Robert Deniro, and Denzel Washington- it always changes though.

What advice would you give to actors finding it difficult to break into the acting industry?

Breathe, let it go, try again.

What are your guilty pleasures?

The movies, 1944 Mai Tai, romantic dinners and sex.

Are there any small things that really irritate you?

Ooooooo yeah! Well hahahahaha - I don't like guests using my toilet to dump down (everyone here thinks I’m weird), but I make them use the gym bathroom.  I can’t be with women that smoke, it’s not for me, can't take the smell on the breath. The more serious things are people who are chronically negative; I think one day it will be diagnosed as a mental disease. Judgments before confirmation, we all here shit about people, I do my best to wait and have my own experience, before making my final analysis.

Is there anything you miss about the UK?

The thing I’m beginning to miss about back home, is diverse people, LA has a great friendly culture, but entertainers are a dime a dozen. What I like about UK and other parts of America, is that other kinds of lives and conversations are happening, and I miss being a part of that. As an actor the greatest thing that informs you is real life, and when you're in a place where naturally real life is the entertainment industry, I don't get the top up, I sometimes, (and I stress) SOMETIMES need. I love LA at the same time and would rather at this stage of my life be here than there.

What do you most enjoy about living in America?

Well I live in LA which is different, I’m old to the rest of America. First and foremost, I love LA because it helped me realize the beginning of a dream I have, and I love that in LA, your life can literally change in a moment. America as whole has an inspirational attitude that sits well with who I am. The weather is amazing 90 percent of the time, coming from Vincention (St Vincent) and Jamaican parents I love the sun, I’m happy in it. People in LA are genuinely polite and make a real effort to look good and stay healthy, which in turn has become a part of my lifestyle. And my friends, I have a great circle of friends who are my family here. Shout out to Rat Pack Nation hahahaha.

Do you have any regrets?

In theory regrets are something you can only really have at the end of your life, ‘cause while you're still ticking every decision informs the next stage of your growth as human being. I have no career regrets, and maybe one personal regret. Maybe.

Catch Aml Ameen in Harry’s Law on Universal Channel Sky 113 and Virgin 162 Mondays at 10pm

To see Aml Ameen’s short films:

Drinks Drugs and KFC (password ameen)

http://vimeo.com/23434756

The Code

http://vimeo.com/23343465 ( password@ ASAdramaschool)