JAMES NELSON-JOYCE HAS ONE OF THOSE FACES THAT INSTANTLY TELL A THOUSAND STORIES. WITH A SEEMINGLY HARD, NO-NONSENSE EXTERIOR, THE LIVERPOOL NATIVE HAS BEEN EXCELLING THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER IN ROLES OF BAD GUYS. BUT RATHER THAN BECOMING STRAIGHT-UP VILLAINS, HE INFUSES HIS CHARACTERS WITH AN INTRIGUING SENSE OF VULNERABILITY – MOST RECENTLY IN STEVEN KNIGHT’S DISNEY+ 1880S BOXING SERIES A THOUSAND BLOWS AND BBC’S UPCOMING MAFIA DRAMA, THIS CITY IS OURS. THOUGH A SELF-DESCRIBED SERIOUS OVERTHINKER AND CATASTROPHISER, NELSON-JOYCE HAS LEARNED ALONG THE WAY TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT HIS SKILLS AS AN ACTOR. SEEING HIS TWO MOST RECENT PROJECTS, ONE CAN ONLY AGREE. HIS TAKE ON QUIET INTENSITY, BUBBLING ALL THE WAY TO THE SURFACE, IS A COMPELLING SHOWCASE OF DRAMATIC STRENGTH.

Left Full Look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**
Right Full look **Fendi**

Hi James, congratulations on A Thousand Blows! The show is created by Steven Knight, who is a master of building compelling worlds. What attracted you the most to being a part of this story?

Well, first of all, I knew that the world of boxing of the 19th century was the backdrop of it, and I love boxing! Then, I started to learn more about these female organised crime groups from the 1880s who were robbing the rich, and I was like, “Wow, this is incredible!” Also, the story of Hezekiah coming over from Jamaica to be a lion tamer and ending up becoming this prolific boxer. And finally, the story of the Goodson brothers [of which I’m playing Treacle]. I just loved that the series was about real people from that time, and showed how wild London was back then. What Steven does so cleverly with his writing is showing these real people in real circumstances – he draws an audience into it straight away.

Do you train boxing in your day-to-day life? If so, how has that informed your prep for the role?

Whenever I’m home in Liverpool, I always go to this boxing gym called Rotunda ABC, which is attended by many world champions, former world champions and young prospects. Also, I would say that watching boxing is a big part of my life. But when you start doing research into boxing in the late 1800s, you realise how much the sport has evolved until now. So we had a trainer working with us on set who taught us how to move in the 1880s style. It was very stiff and very upright, and the punches were thrown a lot differently. It was really fun and I remember feeling like, “I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this.”

Left Full Look **Hermès**
Right Full Look **Paul Smith**

Your character is making quite a fashion statement with his sideburns. What’s your stance on them? Are you a fan?

I’m definitely not a fan. [Laughs]

Okay, fair enough! Let’s talk about your other upcoming series, This City is Ours. Watching the first episode, I was struck by the complex depiction of the inner conflict your character, Michael, is going through when it comes to being a part of the mafia. Is that what drew you to this role?

As soon as I read the script of the first episode, I knew that I had to play Michael. I was like a dog with a bone. I was auditioning for this role for months. I love the conflict within the character of [working in the mafia] being something that he’s always known, and then through maturity, coming to understand the dangers of it and the morality [aspect] of it. Also, his relationship with Diana and wanting to become a partner that his Mrs is proud of, and hopefully becoming a father one day. I just loved all of the complexities that came with Michael. He is definitely a thinker, maybe even an overthinker. And there was a real beauty that came with that.

Would you consider yourself an overthinker as well?

Yeah, massively. I’m a catastrophiser and an overthinker, that is me.

That’s me as well! What do you find helpful in overcoming these feelings?

Letting go as much steam in the gym as I can. Mental health is the biggest killer in men under the age of 40, and it’s heartbreaking. Men still seem to have this sense of pride and not being able to communicate with one another, and it shouldn’t be that way. Even going back to A Thousand Blows and the relationship between my character and his brother, the reason why it all blows up is because they’re unable to communicate. I think that’s the problem with men – we don’t get things off our chest.

How does that overthinking affect your path as an actor? Do you feel like acting is what you’re meant to be doing?

I do, but I have to pinch myself. That said, on the flip side – and I know this might sound arrogant or whatnot – I have become more confident in knowing that I am good at what I do. And there’s no shame in saying that. Art is specific and everyone can have a different opinion [on it], but I must have done something right to get to where I am, and I do have to praise myself on that. But it’s a really hard industry so I do count my lucky stars because there are actors out there who are ten times better than me, so you just have to work hard. I have a very thick skin – with the amount of rejection you face in this industry, you have to develop it really fast.

Left Full Look **Paul Smith**
Right Full Look **MM6**

You have become known for your complex depictions of darker characters. What are the challenges that you are looking for as an actor now?

I would love to show my softer side and my vulnerability. Because I play all these complex, troubled, some would say violent characters, I would love the opportunity to show the other side of the coin. I want to play someone very kind, caring and loving, and maybe do a biographical piece. But to be really honest, [I’m just really grateful] to be acting – I’m very fortunate and I know how lucky I am.

‘This City Is Ours’ launches on BBC One & BBC iPlayer on Sunday 23rd March

Interview by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Lee Malone

Fashion by Steven Huang

Make-Up by Richard Wynn Ellis

Photographer’s assistant Jake Milsom

Stylist’s assistant Dominik Radomski