SPOTLIGHT: Mr Jack Rowan

Photography - William Thompson

Interview - Taj Hayer 

Shot on location at The Great Northern Railway Tavern

If you haven’t seen Noughts and Crosses yet, you really, really should. Not only is it a searing examination of race, in a world turned upside down but yet seems incredibly close to our own, but it is also a superb performance from one of the most exciting and in demand actors in the UK today. Jack Rowan plays the lead part of Callum McGregor in the BBC six part adaptation of the celebrated books of Malorie Blackman and without giving anything away, there is barely a scene in which Callum is not knee deep in action. 

Prior to this performance, he had appeared in Simon Amstell’s directorial debut Benjamin and as Bonnie Gold in the worldwide smash Peaky Blinders however his breakout performance was as Sam in Channel 4’s Born to Kill for which he was nominated for a BAFTA. Aged just 22, the future is bright for Jack and and as he looks forward to being able to film and work again, we stole some of his time to find out more about him. 

How have have you found the reaction to Noughts and Crosses?

I was always expecting it to be up and down because there is a large audience out there that wouldn’t connect to it or like it. Sometimes we all want to watch shows that don’t make us think or feel but with Noughts and Crosses we don’t do that. The reaction has been way more positive than bitter. For every bit of hate there would always be a hundred more love for it. I’m glad to be part of it.

How do you take it when there are people out there that hated it?

I love it because the subject matter of the show demands a reaction. If you don’t like it, the question is why? Whether the reaction is positive or negative, we at least had a moment and that we got to make people think. 

What was the major challenge in playing a character that is repressed in society?

In my life, I’m a white male, from London that has grown up surrounded by culture. I have friends from everywhere but also I’ve never had to experience being “the other”. I was never made to feel like I was the odd one out or oppressed in any way. Getting in the role was a challenge but it was exciting at the same time. It was amazing to be part of something that would make people think or could change a mindset. 

When the show was first launched, we had a screening and Malorie Blackman was speaking to a large audience and she said “Callum is me”. We couldn’t be any more different but she has written the character of Callum from her perspective. Reading the book for me really opened my eyes. Whilst it is fictional, its also really modern and believable. In the first episode, my co-star Masali puts a plaster on my finger and it makes you think about real life. I had never thought of how they match skin tone and in the story its an important moment because for Masali’s character she had never seen a plaster on a Noughts skin. Of course, the fact that there aren’t plasters that match all skin tones could really stand out and alienate something. 

What was it like to film in a location like South Africa for such a long period of time? 

South Africa had never really been on my radar as a place to travel to so it was a really great opportunity. It wasn’t a sheltered experience and we were there for 10 weeks, came home from Christmas and was then there again for another 10 weeks. Because of the filming locations we were in, we got to see everything from poorer areas to areas of incredible luxury. I feel like I know Cape Town really well and really got to experience it. When I was there I did really miss home, which is a 12 hour flight away but when I look back on it now, I struggle to find any bad points. I really hope that we can get a series 2 to go back out there. Our show is not how the books end and it was a choice to end it where it ends, which gives it leeway to go again. 

How did you deal with preparing for emotional scenes?

I actually love those scenes. The meatier the part, the better. The roles that I have shined in have been those sorts of roles. It’s amazing to play different parts of a characters journey and to push yourself and be satisfied with what you have done. My role after Noughts and Crosses was the exact opposite of Callum and I really needed that. He is quite an emotional character, that is constantly getting pushed closer to the edge and people are stepping on his fingers. With the Directors we had, we had freedom to take risks and everyone was doing that. 

What do you do to relax when you’ve been working on projects such as these?

I really get a buzz from it. The physical scenes are really exciting but the scenes where I get to cry or get angry are brilliant. I used to box and there is a saying in boxing ... “LEAVE IT ALL IN THE RING” and I guess I try to do the same with acting, “leave it all on set” and be proud of what I’ve done.

How traumatic was working on Born to Kill?

I loved the role. I never knew how much I wanted to play a character like that,. It was my first lead role and I was just happy to be part of it. It was 6 auditions, a great team and lots of risks. I had the confidence to go and do it. It was quite an intense experience. I tried to stay in his mind by writing a journal and being really horrible in it, speaking if I was the character and there were times when I had to try hard to not be moody but I learnt as I progressed and I didn’t want it to end. 

What was it like to work on a show with a big cast and explosive storylines like Peaky Blinders? 

It was really nice to go into a world that was already successful. It was great to follow it after Born to Kill. There are so many supporting characters in that show and I was really pleased to have a moment. So even if they might not remember my name, they will know the boxer from Peaky Blinders. 

What initially drew you to a career as an actor?

I really wanted to be a boxer, I was boxing from aged 10-18 and I had a period of 16 months where I had a bad back injury and I went from it dominating everything that I was doing every week. I enjoyed acting and went to a small drama school when I was a kid and did a bit in school and it was one of the subjects I enjoyed. When I was injured I joined a Saturday drama class in Camden and it was the first time I started to take it seriously. After I got my first real job, I didn’t look back. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Growing up, who did you look up to for their acting careers?

Probably guys like Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio who we know nothing about, but continue to deliver amazing performances. They seem to have handled their careers really well. I would just like to have a prosperous career whilst keeping some mystery. 

Tell us about Boys From County Hell 

I got to speak in a Northern Irish accent which is an accent I’d always wanted to do as my dad is from Northern Ireland. It’s a big part of my life so it made telling my dad about getting this part that little bit more special. It was super fun and probably the most fun that I’ve had on a job. If it was up to me, I would do loads of jobs like that. I’ve seen it and love it, and it would have been at Tribeca which would have been great. It’s totally different from anything else I have done.

And finally, what makes a rakish gent?

Whether you see them in the morning at the cafe wearing a tracksuit, or in the evening in a tailored suit, they still invite respect and show respect.

Quick fire questions 

Ideal travel destination - Slovenia 

Best store in the world - Forbidden Planet 

Gadget of choice - Chilly water bottle 

Go to pair of shoes - Tassel loafers 

Brand/ designer of choice - Fred Perry 

Favourite fragrance - Police 

Essential grooming product - Moisturiser 

Recommended app - YouTube 

Icon - Robin Williams 

Noughts and Crosses is on BBC Iplayer now. 

Follow Jack Rowan on Instagram.