Jonsson describes his role as Taylor, a heroin-addict, as the most personal character he has ever played, especially the character’s emotional journey that mirrors his own upbringing and life experiences.
Playing the role of the long-serving prisoner on the verge of parole, Jonsson worked with prison reintegration charity Switchback and studied real footage from inside British prisons in order to ground his performance
Jonsson said that Wasteman wasn’t intended to feel exotic or sensationalised. Rather, he wanted to capture the harsh, everyday reality of incarceration, especially the boredom, intensity and emotional pressure that comes with it.
He has spoken about the collaborative nature of making the film, especially working with co-star Tom Blyth and with people who have experienced prison life, which helped keep the performances and the story rooted in reality.
Growing up in East London and encountering the world of troubled youth first-hand, the role made him reflect on identity, choice and circumstance, admitting that Taylor’s life could have been something very close to his own under different circumstances.
Wasteman opened in UK cinemas on 20 February 2026 and Jonsson acknowledges portraying this truth was both challenging and rewarding.
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