The new BBC TV drama series filled with action titled "Atlantis" introduces a new leading man that is anticipated to become television's latest heartthrob. Get to know "Atlantis" star Jack Donnelly as the Greek hero Jason in the TV show that the team behind "Merlin" created.

Who is Jack Donnelly?

The 27-year-old British actor landed the mythological character of Jason that will give viewers enough reason to watch the new TV series "Atlantis." In an interview with Radio Times, Jack Donnelly talked about the character he portrays. "He's a bit of an outsider, a bit socially awkward and he isn't totally confident in himself. So he's not quite a hero yet, not quite a man," Mr Donnelly shared.

"Rocky" music theme inspired the British actor to bag the "Atlantis" lead role.

Jack Donnelly revealed that he psyched himself up during audition by listening to the theme of action superstar Sylvester Stallone's film "Rocky." The hunky actor shared: "At the audition I was ­terrified. I was outside beforehand trying to get myself in the zone, ­listening to the Rocky theme, almost crying and telling myself 'You're good enough to work, you can do this'."

Jack Donnelly admits doing all of the stunts in the exciting action scenes.

Mr Donnelly may have mischievously lied about having gymnastics pass during audition, but the actor was able to pull off the exciting yet dangerous gladiator action scenes in "Atlantis." The actor revealed: "They [the producers] asked if I had a gymnastics pass when I auditioned - I lied and said I did. I showed up at ­training and knew nothing and had to build up. I was eating a lot of protein to be equipped to do the stunts."

Jack Donnelly further confessed that he had to go through training for five weeks with a stunt coordinator before filming for his new role began. "We started with forward rolls and cartwheels and then he built me up to flips and parkour. He wants me to be able to walk on my hands and do a backflip off a platform by the end of the first series. There was only one jump off a 50-foot building that they wouldn't let me do. I wanted to until I saw it happen and then I was like: "do you know what? I'm good."

Is Jack Donnelly ready to become a TV heartthrob?

Portraying the Greek hero character Jason certainly became Jack Donnelly's big acting break to the point that he was given training on how to deal with the overnight fame. When asked if Jack was ready to become the latest heartthrob, the actor responded: "I don't know about that! I just hope people watch it and like it. I can't quite get my head around the whole thing, to be honest. The reality hasn't sunk in. I'm nervous because it's the biggest thing I've done in my career."

According to the Daily Star report, "Atlantis" films at studios near Chepstow, South Wales as well as on location in Morocco and the big-budget series has the same production team as "Merlin" that ended in 2012. Bosses of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) commissioned the new TV series as a follow-up to the ratings that hit "Merlin" after it pulled in 13million viewers at its peak.

"Atlantis" had its official premiere in the United Kingdom on Saturday, September 28, with upcoming airing schedules in Canada and the United States.

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