Line of Duty star Tommy Jessop said that it is 'really important' to offer people with learning disabilities access to acting roles.
The 36-year-old actor, who is one of the first stars with Down Syndrome to appear in a prime-time drama, was reflecting upon his recent appearance in Jed Mercurio's hit crime drama.
Answering questions for the charity Mencap, Tommy stressed the importance of giving disabled actors roles on stage and screen.
His remarks came shortly after Line of Duty season six, in which he played Terry Boyle, came to a dramatic end last Sunday.
"It is really important to include people with learning disabilities of all ages to show what they are truly capable of," Tommy said about casting actors with learning disabilities.
"Because I really do want people to believe in us because we really are different people with different skills and ambitions."
The popular actor added: "And to quote a certain person that I played nine years ago called Hamlet, "We fools of nature are wondrous too."
During the Q&A session, Tommy also went on to praise Line of Duty writer Jed and said that he was 'grateful' for the role.
Tommy has said in the past that he hopes his success will inspire others with his condition to follow their dreams.
It was also during his time on the show, that the actor revealed he had received messages from people with Down Syndrome on social media. Tommy said he had received over 2,000 messages of support from fans following his appearance in Line of Duty.
His latest revelations with Mencap come as his acting career continues to soar to new heights.
Just last month, it was revealed that Tommy's work was truly taking off amid reports that he had landed a role in Steven Spielberg's latest project.
At the time, Tommy was spotted on set of the mini-series in the village of Bedlow where crews were working on filming Masters of the Air.
The new show, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, centres on the US air armada raids on Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Produced by Playtone, the same company that created acclaimed shows Band of Brothers and The Pacific, the new series is expected to be a huge hit.
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