United Kingdom, April 7 -- Jaafar Jackson kept his casting as Michael Jackson in the forthcoming biopic about the singer's life a secret from his family for a year - including his mother.

The 29-year-old nephew of Michael, who died aged 50 in 2009 will make his acting debut portraying the Billie Jean singer in Michael.

He discussed the experience in conversation with his co-star Miles Teller, who plays Michael's lawyer and manager John Branca, for Interview.

Jaafar said: "(My mother) came to set one time, but she wasn't aware of what to expect.

"Even in the process of preparing for it, I didn't tell her for a full year."

He added: "No. No one in my family knew for a full year. I kept it pretty quiet until I felt comfortable enough to...