If you grew up in the mid-2000s, there is a very high chance you spent your Tuesday nights glued to E4, watching a bunch of Bristol teenagers ruin their lives in the most cinematic way possible. Larissa Wilson was the heart of that chaos. As Jal Fazer, she was the "sensible" one, the girl with the clarinet case who somehow ended up with the most devastating storyline of the first generation.
But then, she kinda just... vanished?
While her co-stars like Dev Patel and Nicholas Hoult were busy becoming Hollywood royalty, Larissa’s path took a much more interesting, albeit quieter, turn. She didn't stop working, but she definitely stopped playing the fame game. Honestly, if you look at the full list of larissa wilson movies and tv shows, you’ll see a career that prioritizes quality—and lately, behind-the-scenes creativity—over red-carpet appearances.
The Skins Era and the Audition That Changed Everything
Larissa wasn't some stage-school kid with a 10-year plan. She was basically a regular teenager working at a New Look clothing store. She actually auditioned for Skins during her lunch break. Imagine that: hanging up a pair of jeans, running to a nightclub in Bristol to read some lines, and then becoming the face of a generation.
She played Jal Fazer from 2007 to 2008. Jal was the anchor. While everyone else was doing drugs in ditches, she was practicing for the BBC Young Musician of the Year. Her relationship with Chris Miles (Joe Dempsie) remains one of the most heartbreaking arcs in British TV history. That finale? It still stings.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Beyond Bristol: The TV and Film Years
After leaving Skins, Larissa didn't jump straight into a Marvel movie. She stayed local. She popped up in Holby City in 2008 as Rebecca Webster, showing she could handle the fast-paced world of medical procedurals.
Then came a reunion that fans loved. In 2009, she starred in the comedy-horror flick Tormented alongside her Skins bestie April Pearson. It was campy, it was bloody, and it was exactly the kind of post-teen-drama movie you’d expect from that era.
A Quick Rundown of Her Credits:
- Kingdom (2009): She played Donna in this Stephen Fry-led series. It was a complete vibe shift from the grit of Bristol to the sleepy coast of Norfolk.
- The Sparticle Mystery (2011): If you had younger siblings (or were a CBBC kid yourself), you might recognize her as Anita.
- Shirley (2011): This was a TV movie about the life of Dame Shirley Bassey. Larissa played Iris Bassey.
- The Town (2012): A solid three-part ITV drama where she played Sarah.
- Trollied (2012): She did a stint as a shopper in this supermarket sitcom.
- Suspects (2014): One of her last major TV roles before a significant break. She played Kelly Freeman.
Why She Stepped Away (And Why She’s Back)
For a long time, people thought she’d retired. The internet is full of "Where is Jal now?" threads. The truth is, Larissa Wilson went and lived a whole life. She went to university, earned a degree in Creative Writing and Psychology, and eventually completed a Masters in Neuroscience.
Talk about a pivot.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
She’s also been incredibly open on social media about raising her daughter as a single parent. It’s a refreshing level of honesty you don't usually get from "celebs."
But the acting bug didn't stay dead forever. In 2020, she made her directorial debut with a short film called SHIFT. She also lent her voice to the BBC Sounds podcast Murmurs and the video game Shady Part of Me. Most recently, in 2024, she appeared in the short film We Move.
She recently told followers on Instagram that while she’s "dipped her toes back in" to acting, she’s now approaching her career with a "multifaceted" lens, blending the arts and science.
The Reality of the "Skins Curse"
People love to talk about the Skins cast like it’s a competition. Dev Patel has an Oscar nom; Daniel Kaluuya has the trophy. But looking at larissa wilson movies and tv shows, it's clear she never wanted that specific spotlight. She’s part of that core group of girls—including Kaya Scodelario and the Prescott twins—who are still real-life best friends. They recently posted photos of a "Baby Skins" meetup with Larissa’s daughter.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
What to Watch Right Now
If you want to catch up on her work, start with Skins (obviously), then find Tormented for a bit of 2000s nostalgia. If you can track down the short film We Move, do it. It’s the most recent glimpse of her "adult" acting style, which is much more grounded and nuanced than the frantic energy of her teenage roles.
Larissa Wilson is a reminder that you don't have to be on a billboard to have a successful life in the arts. Sometimes, the best move is to step away, get a degree in brain science, and come back when you actually have something to say.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the BBC Sounds series Murmurs to hear her latest voice work.
- Follow her on social media for updates on her upcoming directorial projects and advocacy work regarding mental health and single parenthood.
- Re-watch the first two seasons of Skins on streaming—Jal’s performance aged better than almost anyone else's in that cast.