IN CONVERSATION WITH JACK BARTON
British actor Jack Barton is best known for his role as David Nelson in Netflix’s hot show ‘Heartstopper’. Next up, he’s joined the cast of BBC’s ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ second season, which premiered on 1st January. Jack’s other TV credits include Fox's ‘War of the Worlds’, ‘The Pursuit of Love’, and PBS’s ‘Granchester’.
full look EMPORIO ARMANI
You’ve joined ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’ as John Tonkin in Season 2. What can you share about the character and his role within the story?
Well, he’s one of the newbies in the group and that’s a big part of his journey this season. He really has to earn his spot. This is a regiment that doesn’t really pay much heed to rank, you know. So, it’s up to him to earn the respect of the other chaps.
The show is set against the backdrop of World War II and explores the origins of the Special Air Services. How did you prepare to step into such a historically charged setting?
You obviously do a lot of research, whether that’s reading books, watching YouTube videos or speaking to relatives, but to be honest, a large part of the job was made possible by all the work that costume, art, hair, makeup and others, put in. The world was built so comprehensively on the day, that you step on set, and you’re literally transported there. But yeah, it was a daunting thing for sure… It’s relatively recent history and these are the significant relatives of many people still around today. They risked their lives to better our own, so you want to do justice to their stories.
Did working alongside actors like Jack O’Connell and Conor Swindells influence your approach to your performance?
To be honest, I think my approach is almost always the same – a performance is a performance is a performance. But yeah, they’re both brilliant actors and you’d be mad not to pay attention to how they work, what they bring to the table, and you can hopefully learn a thing or two. The same goes to everyone on set though! Every single person I worked with from costume to lighting to actors to props was immense, so the bar was definitely raised a bit – no bad thing!
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full look EMPORIO ARMANI
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full look ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
From ‘Peaky Blinders’ to ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’, Steven Knight has a knack for creating intense, character-driven dramas. What was it like collaborating on one of his projects?
Yeah, it was unreal. Just wild be a part of it. All I can say is, his writing makes our jobs a hell of a lot easier…
You recently reprised your role as David Nelson in ‘Heartstopper'. How has the experience of being part of such a beloved series evolved for you over the seasons?
I mean you settle into it, I guess – into the character, but also into the environment and the people that you’re working with. In season two, David’s not in it all that much and I didn’t get a huge amount of time with everyone, so coming back for the third season was an amazing opportunity see them all. They’re such a great bunch. Just good people, you know! It’s been a privilege to watch them mature into these bona fide superstars.
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David Nelson has a complex relationship with his brother Nick (Kit Connor). How do you approach portraying that dynamic, especially in light of the show’s themes of acceptance and love?
That’s a great question, and honestly, it’s hard! In a way, he’s the antithesis of what the show is about but that’s good as every story needs an antagonist. Without that, there’d be nothing for Nick, Joe, and the gang to fight against. It’s also just reality – there are people like David everywhere. My hope was by shining a light on where their issues come from, you can break down the barriers between the two sides, and suddenly the Davids of the world hold less power… Lord knows if we managed to do any of that though!
Your role as Foldo in ‘The Letter for the King’ was quite different from your work in ‘Heartstopper’ and I’m sure all that is also very different from ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’. How do you navigate switching between genres and tones in your performances?
Ah, you just do it! You spend time preparing beforehand, getting into the role, and then there’s usually a bit of a decompression period afterwards where you start to let go of it all – not just the role, but also the place and the time in your life it represents. It’s a funny process but I guess everything in this industry is a bit bonkers, so you have to get used to it!
With roles in ‘War of the Worlds’, ‘The Pursuit of Love’, or ‘Granchester’, you’ve explored a wide range of genres. Is there a particular type of story or character that you’re drawn to?
I always struggle with that question… I think I have to read the script to really know. I know that probably sounds like a lazy answer, but I honestly can’t figure it out until I see it. Maybe because it’s always changing, just like you are. It’s also about taste, I think—I love film, TV, and art, so as I grow, I get a better sense of my taste. That helps me decide on projects. But yeah, it’s tricky!
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For your film debut you worked on ‘Poor Things’ alongside Emma Stone. What was it like? Did the experience shape how you approach roles in television?
Ah, it was a trip! I was on set for about three seconds in total but what an experience. It’s Yorgos Lanthimos! The sets, the extras, the costumes – it was so inspiring to see people working at the very top level of the industry. Plus I’m a huge fan anyway, so to be able to watch him do his thing was a real joy. Hopefully, next time, I can do it for longer…
You’ve worked with some incredible talents across your projects. Are there any memorable lessons or moments from these collaborations that have stayed with you?
Ah, not to sound too pretentious, but I feel like everyone I work with ends up teaching me something – either by osmosis or blunt force, by hook or by crook! You're thrust into these complex work environments that require so much of you, your attention, your vulnerability and your awareness. Each situation is so drastically different that if you don’t keep learning you’ll collapse! So I feel like I’m always a bit of a sponge and hopefully that always continues…
As your career continues to grow, what kinds of projects or roles do you hope to pursue in the future?
I mean, I’ll go wherever the wind takes me! Right now, this is a lovely little wave I’m riding but who knows where life goes next. That’s all part of the adventure. But if you’re looking for a short answer – I hear Bond is up for grabs…?
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