Actor Tom Cullen has highlighted the crucial importance of LGBTQ+ representation in film, stating he does not take the privilege of playing such characters lightly. The 41-year-old, known for his work in ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘House of the Dragon’, recently shared his insights at the Iris Prize Festival, where his mystery-thriller ‘Black Church Bay’ was screened.
Emphasising Authentic Representation
Cullen, originally from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, discussed his role in ‘Black Church Bay’ as a closeted man desperate to maintain appearances within his insular community. He explained that this is not his first time portraying a gay character, having taken on his debut role in the 2011 British romantic drama ‘Weekend’.
Speaking to the BBC, Cullen noted: “What is wonderful is I feel like people can often pigeonhole queer cinema, and those two films show the spectrum and diversity that can be found.” He approaches these roles with the same dedication as any other, stating, “They are characters that you have to empathise with and understand. And fundamentally my job is empathy.” His research includes speaking to gay friends to fully understand their experiences, a process he applies to any character.
Cullen described the script for ‘Black Church Bay’ as “really challenging” and “extraordinary,” noting it was “something that isn’t usually made in the UK” due to its dark nature.
New Projects: ‘Black Church Bay’ and ‘The Party’
‘Black Church Bay’ was filmed in Anglesey and was written and directed by Welsh-Irish filmmaker Rhys Marc Jones, who drew inspiration from the “real locations” of Wales. Joe Locke, known for his role in Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper’, also features in the film and commented that Anglesey reminded him of his home, the Isle of Man, due to their similar landscapes and small-town feel.
Cullen also revealed he was filming ‘House of the Dragon’ concurrently with ‘Black Church Bay’, requiring weekly drives to London after wrapping in Wales. His upcoming project, ‘The Party’, is an ITV adaptation of Elizabeth Day’s 2017 novel. In this series, he stars opposite Luke Evans, playing Conservative MP Ben Fitzmaurice, whose life is intricately linked to journalist Martin Gilmour (Evans).
Their relationship in ‘The Party’ is described as “fizzing with sexual electricity and ripping with secrets,” exploring themes of “betrayal, class disparity and unrequited love.” For this role, Cullen has again immersed himself in the LGBTQ+ community, drawing on friends’ experiences to authentically portray the complex relationship and Martin’s internal struggle with his sexuality. Luke Evans, who is an executive producer for the show, personally chose Cullen for the part, describing him as “mesmerising as Ben.”
Iris Prize Festival Recognises Global LGBTQ+ Stories
The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival, a Cardiff-based annual event, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. The festival, which partners with BAFTA Cymru, aims to showcase LGBTQ+ stories from across the world. During this year’s festival, filmmaker LuÃs Hindman received the top honours for his film ‘Magid/Zafar’, a story about tensions in a Pakistani takeaway. Hindman was awarded £40,000 to produce a new film with an LGBTQ+ theme in the UK, expressing his desire to create something reflecting the “mosaic of what British Asianness can look like.”
FAQ
- Q: What films is Tom Cullen discussing in relation to LGBTQ+ roles?
A: Tom Cullen specifically mentioned his roles in ‘Black Church Bay’ and the 2011 British romantic drama ‘Weekend’ as examples of diverse queer cinema. - Q: Where was the film ‘Black Church Bay’ primarily shot?
A: The mystery-thriller ‘Black Church Bay’ was filmed in Anglesey, with Welsh-Irish filmmaker Rhys Marc Jones stating the “real locations” inspired the script. - Q: What is the Iris Prize Festival?
A: The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is an annual, seven-day event based in Cardiff, Wales, which celebrates LGBTQ+ stories from around the world and recently marked its 20th anniversary. - Q: Who does Tom Cullen star alongside in ‘The Party’?
A: In the upcoming ITV adaptation ‘The Party’, Tom Cullen stars opposite Luke Evans, who also serves as an executive producer for the show.
