In a straight-on photograph, it's not so obvious. But when James Jagger is singing, sneering and pouting on HBO's new series Vinyl, he's the spitting image of his pops, Mick -- executive producer (with Martin Scorsese) of the show. Vinyl, which premieres Feb. 14, explores the fictional story of Richie Finestra, a label head trying to save his company in the sex- and drugs-saturated world of early-1970s New York. Jagger plays Kip Stevens, the heroin-addicted lead singer of a punk group called The Nasty Bits. But this isn't a case of nepotism gone wrong: The role is perfect for him. Son of Mick and Jerry Hall, the London-raised Jagger, 30, has experience as an actor (Stealing Summers, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll) and musician (he fronted the band Turbogeist) -- and of course, he brings more than a little of his family's history to the role.
Was it difficult acting in your dad's project?
He wasn't there any time I was working, so it didn't feel like I was working for him in any sort of way. I didn't feel uncomfortable.