Liverpool Echo: James Nelson-Joyce Prepares for Soccer Aid Debut Amidst Rising Star Status
The Liverpudlian actor, James Nelson-Joyce, is set to take to the pitch for his Soccer Aid debut tonight, as part of the England squad in the annual charity match in aid of UNICEF. The game, which gets underway at 6pm on ITV, features a star-studded team including Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury, and Louis Tomlinson.
According to a report by the Liverpool Echo, James Nelson-Joyce’s incredible year is set to continue as he builds on his star-making turns in This City Is Ours and A Thousand Blows. The 36-year-old Scouser has been making waves in the acting world, with talk of him becoming the next James Bond continuing to build momentum.
In an interview with Far Out Magazine, James Nelson-Joyce admitted that he is blown away by the link to the iconic character. “Look, to be honest, all the James Bond stuff, it kind of blew me away. To even be linked to that role is the stuff dreams are made of,” he said. “I’d like to do it my way. When you think of James Bond, you think charming and smooth. All those cool things, which he has to be, because that’s the way he’s written.”
The Liverpool Echo reports that James Nelson-Joyce would put his own spin on the famous character if he landed the role. “But also, if you look into the text, and you really look into what he’s been through, I’d like to delve into his past, the stuff about his parents, which isn’t discussed in the films. You have to put your own spin on it. That’s the beauty of Bond,” he added.
James Nelson-Joyce’s rise to stardom is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft. Born in Walton, Liverpool, the actor has broken down social class barriers in a notoriously difficult industry to crack. In an interview with the Liverpool Echo earlier this year, James Nelson-Joyce spoke about how proud he is of his Liverpool roots, which have given him the skillset to succeed as an actor.
“We’re not the most privileged city in the world when it comes to finances, but culturally I’d say we are the most privileged. There is a beauty of Liverpool where we have a freedom to express ourselves and be unapologetic for our views,” he said. “There’s also a flipside to that as I love it when I’m home and you’re kept in check. You could never step out of place and anybody who does step out of place is quickly told. Maybe I’m just biased, but I feel proud and lucky to be where I’m from.”
The Liverpool Echo also reported that James Nelson-Joyce was inspired to pursue a career in acting by Stephen Graham’s rise to stardom in the 2000s. The actor told the Liverpool Echo that he didn’t know a single person who was an actor where he’s from, but watching Stephen Graham in films like This Is England and Gangs of New York made him think, “Scousers can do this.”
James Nelson-Joyce made the move to London aged 21 to study at drama school and met his acting hero for the first time in the capital when he spotted him having a meal in Nando’s. He recalled, “I remember thinking if there is ever someone you can go over to, then it’s a Scouser. I lived in London for 12 years and if I ever heard a Scouse accent at Euston Station, I’d always go over and speak to them.”
The actor approached Stephen Graham and hailed him as his favourite actor during their chance encounter at the restaurant. He clearly made an impression, as Stephen remembered him as “that lad from Nando’s” years later when they filmed Little Boy Blue together. Their friendship has blossomed ever since working on the ITV show, and James has gone from “that lad in Nando’s” to one of Liverpool’s finest actors.
Soccer Aid gets underway at 6pm on ITV tonight, with James Nelson-Joyce set to take to the pitch as part of the England squad. The charity match is an annual event in aid of UNICEF, and features a star-studded team of celebrities and former footballers. With his rising star status and dedication to his craft, James Nelson-Joyce is sure to make a lasting impression both on and off the pitch.
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