Matthew Julian B. Jacobs (born 1956) is a British writer, director, producer and actor. He is known best for his extensive career writing for television shows like Doctor Who and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. He also directed two prize-winning TV movies for BBC films, Hallelujah Anyhow (1992) and Mothertime (1998).
Early life Jacobs was born in Marylebone in 1956, the son of the actor Anthony Jacobs and his second wife, Ann Jameson. Jameson died by suicide in 1963, when Jacobs was seven years old.Doctor Who Am I (2022) His father had previously been married to the actress Katherine Blake, and he has a half-sister from that marriage.Howard Maxford, Hammer Complete: The Films, the Personnel, the Company (McFarland, 2018), p. 58
Jacobs's father was Jewish; Jacobs practices no religion.
In 1966, his father appeared in the Doctor Who serial The Gunfighters and took his son to visit the set during production. Career Jacobs worked as one of the many writers for George Lucas's The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones. His episodes included "Passion for Life," "The Perils of Cupid," "Travels with Father," "Spring Break Adventure," "Attack of the Hawkmen" and "Hollywood Follies."
Jacobs is perhaps best remembered for writing and co-producing the 1996 Doctor Who television movie, which featured Paul McGann as the Doctor and Eric Roberts as the Master. Jacobs was responsible for writing the first televised Doctor Who story to be broadcast as a show in its own right, rather than as part of a charity telethon, since Survival (1989).
Jacobs has also written several screenplays. His film credits include Lassie, The Emperor's New Groove and the cult classic Paperhouse.
Aside from his work in television and film, Jacobs has worked on other projects in the entertainment industry. He wrote for the video games Outlaws and Star Wars: Starfighter.
In 2011, while working in San Francisco, Jacobs befriended the rabbi Lawrence Kushner, and they worked together to write a film called Your Good Friend.
Jacobs starred with Danny Huston in Boxing Day (2012), Bernard Rose's adaptation of Tolstoy's novella "Master and Man".
Filmography
Films as crew +YearTitleDirectorWriterProducerEditorNotes1984The Ninja MissionStarship1986VardoShort filmSmart Money1988Paperhouse1994Lassie2000The Emperor's New Groove2013Justin and the Knights of ValourYour Good FriendDirectorial debut2014Bar America2015Rebel ChildShort film2018The Hurdy Gurdy ManShort film; also first assistant director2019Claude Debussy's Danse ProfaneShort film2022Doctor Who Am IDocumentary film
Films as actor +YearTitleRoleNotes2008Lo que Daria por volverBBC Narrator (voice)Short filmThe Kreutzer SonataDriver2010Mr. NiceEddie LaxtonThe Two Handed PainterProducer (voice)Short filmThe Seven Year HitchHimselfDocumentary film2011You're Cordially UninvitedMr. BadeauxShort film2012Boxing DayNick2013Your Good FriendJules2014Bar AmericaHarry2015On Her Wedding DayPoliceman (voice)Short filmFrankensteinDr. MarcusArt School of HorrorsZadok2017State of Modern Love Josh2018The Hurdy Gurdy ManNarrator (voice)Short filmViceAntonin Scalia2021On My Special DayThe CallerShort filmTraveling LightArthur2022Doctor Who Am IHimselfDocumentary filmLear RexDuke of CornwallPost-production
Television as screenwriter +YearTitleNotes1989The Jim Henson HourEpisode: "Monster Maker"Somewhere to RunTV film1990Lorna Doone TV film1990–1992The Ruth Rendell MysteriesEpisodes:
"Some Lie and Some Die: Part One" "Murder Being Once Done: Part One" "Kissing the Gunner's Daughter: Part One"1991–1997Screen TwoEpisodes:
"Hallelujah Anyhow" (also director) "Mothertime" (also director)1992–1996The Young Indiana Jones ChroniclesEpisodes:
"British East Africa, September 1909" "Vienna, November 1908" "Princeton, February 1916"
TV films:
"The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Hollywood Follies" "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Attack of the Hawkmen" "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with Father"1996Doctor WhoTV film: "Doctor Who: The Movie" (also co-producer)2002Mr. St. NickTV film (story only)
Television as actor +YearTitleRoleNotes1968Point Counter Point Little Phil4 episodes1975Play for TodayWulfEpisode: "By Common Consent"1997Screen TwoRecording EngineerEpisode: "Mothertime"2018All You Need Is MeBarman2 episodes2020Tardis Sauce HimselfEpisode: "The Time Lord's New Groove"
Writer for video games
Outlaws (1997, dialogue) Star Wars: Starfighter (2001)
References
External links