James Norton has said he had 'weird dreams about violence' after playing villainous murderer and sex offender Tommy Lee Royce - but admits he
didn't let himself sink too deeply into the sadistic character.
Speaking to , the actor, 37, revealed that while playing the antagonist of BBC's Happy
Valley, storylines would get 'inevitably uncomfortable'.
'But not everybody goes off set to their trailer to cry,'
he continued. 'I love my job, but, ultimately, acting
is pretending.'
James added that he likes to have a beer and bath at the end
of the day to 'decompress', and didn't leave set thinking that he 'can't get Tommy out of his head'.
James Norton has said he had 'weird dreams about
violence' after playing villainous murderer and sex
offender Tommy Lee Royce - but admits he didn't let himself sink too deeply into the sadistic character
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The star - who was most recently seen on screen as do-no-wrong character
Reverend Sidney Chambers in Grantchester - also said that he thinks it's 'b******t' for
an actor to believe their role didn't land if it didn't leave them 'emotionally ravaged'.
However James, who's set to play Jude in the stage adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara's heart-wrenching A Little Life,
admits that he is concerned about the emotionally tasking undertaking.
The lead role, which he will bring to life from March at the Harold
Pinter Theatre, will see him exploring themes
of severe childhood trauma and abuse.
'I am worried about that,' he revealed. 'And now I'm contradicting what I've just said, but I know this is going to
cost me a lot.'
Speaking to The Times, the actor (pictured last month), 37,
revealed that while playing the antagonist of BBC's
Happy Valley, storylines would get 'inevitably uncomfortable'
In October, BBC confirmed a third season of the hit show would be on its way, and
that it would be its last
Earlier last month James wowed viewers when he transformed his usual clean-cut look into a much
more rugged display while taking to the screen for the much-awaited third season of Happy Valley.
The actor sported a grown-out beard, unruly long locks and a massive
forehead scar while portraying Royce.
James' character Tommy is seen in prison in the new episodes, after being sentenced
in season one for rape and abduction.
Donning a green and yellow jumpsuit as he
spends time behind bars, the criminal is seen in handcuffs while being
escorted by officials in new pictures from the show.
The final season will follow Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) as she investigates a gangland
murder that leads her back to Tommy
Filming for the much-anticipated third and final series got underway earlier last year following a six-year hiatus and is certain to be the most
thrilling yet.
In October, BBC confirmed a third season of the hit show would be on its way, and that it would be its last.
The final season will follow Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) as
she investigates a gangland murder that leads her back to Tommy, and her struggle to
end the drug supply in the valley.
James previously said of reprising his role as Tommy: 'To take on Tommy one final time is a wonderful and daunting
privilege, and something I've been looking forward to since we wrapped the
last series, six years ago.'
Happy Valley was a big hit with audiences after first airing in 2014, winning a BAFTA
Award for Best Drama Series, with a follow-up second
series in 2016.
And while the role catapulted James to fame, he may
have played it a little too convincingly - with many sending
the actor letters of hate for his characters actions.
In 2017 the London-based actor revealed he received death threats for
his role in Happy Valley, as some viewers were so frightened by his portrayal.
Series three of the BBC drama will air on January 1 2023.
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Read more:
James Norton: what Happy Valley did to me | Culture | The Sunday Times
Donnerstag, 08. Juni 2023 07:32