James Nelson-Joyce: “There’s a story I’m desperate to tell — it’s about male suicide, and what it leaves behind”

From ‘A Thousand Blows’ to ‘Bird’ and ‘Black Mirror’, the Liverpudlian actor enters his most exciting chapter yet — grounded, powerful and unafraid to dig deeper.

2025 has been a whirlwind for James Nelson-Joyce, and he’s the first to admit it. With standout roles in ‘A Thousand Blows’, ‘This City Is Ours’, ‘Black Mirror’ and ‘Bird’, plus fashion campaigns and upcoming new shoots, the pace is relentless — and exactly how he likes it. “2025 has been a pinch yourself moment for me on many occasions,” he reflects. “I just try and enjoy it all… it could all stop tomorrow. So for me, it’s just about making the most of every opportunity and staying focussed.”

In ‘A Thousand Blows’, he shares the screen with friend and mentor Stephen Graham, playing brothers. For James, it was a full-circle moment. “Working with Stephen is genuinely a gift. He really is the most generous person I’ve ever met… to think I’m getting to play brothers with my idol is something the younger me could only ever have dreamed of.”

As ‘This City Is Ours’ heads into its second season, now shooting between Liverpool and Spain, James teases just enough: “There are new characters who bring new risks… it’s edge-of-your-seat stuff. I’m a home bird, so filming in Liverpool is a bonus, but shooting in Spain was amazing too. I absolutely love the country.”

Whether in ‘Suspect’, ‘Bird’ or ‘Black Mirror’, James gravitates toward layered, emotionally charged work. “It’s always about the script first. If it’s good, I want to do it. Then it’s about the team — the people you get to create with.”

Working with Andrea Arnold in ‘Bird’ was a milestone. “Her filming style is very real and all about story and performance. A lot of it is improvised and I love to work like that — it keeps scenes alive.” Though he didn’t share scenes with Barry Keoghan, he hopes to one day: “We know each other from outside work. I really admire his work.”

As UK media speculates whether he might be the next James Bond, he handles it with grace: “It’s a compliment to be linked to such an iconic character. It would be an honour to play Bond. Each actor brought something unique — I’d love the chance to give my interpretation of Ian Fleming’s great character.”

Beyond acting, James has built a strong presence in fashion, working with Adidas, M&S, and more. “I’d love to do more in fashion. I don’t follow specific designers… I just wear what I like and that can change day to day.” His personal style is effortlessly relaxed, but always intentional. “What you wear says a lot about who you are. When I start building a character, costume is one of the first things I think about — even fragrance.”

His creative idols? “Stephen Graham, of course. But also Andrea Riseborough, Joaquin Phoenix, and Peter Mullan — they always excite me on screen.”

Looking to the future, James is ready to tell stories that truly matter. “There’s a story I’m desperate to tell. It’s about male suicide — the biggest killer in men under 40 — and also what it leaves behind: families, children, grieving parents. These are the stories I want to explore. It’s our job as artists to hold a mirror up to society and ask why.”

Rooted in honesty and fuelled by purpose, James Nelson-Joyce is far more than a rising star. He’s a storyteller — and he’s just getting started.