Jordan Bolger is an English actor best known for playing Isaiah Jesus for four seasons in the highly acclaimed TV series, Peaky Blinders.
Jordan’s latest role is in the new BBC drama This Town, he plays Gregory Williams, a British soldier serving in Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles.
This Town follows a band’s formation against a backdrop of burgeoning social tensions and unrest in the 80s. It’s Knight’s latest creation following his juggernaut hits with Peaky Blinders and SAS Rogue Heroes, so expect a high-octane thriller with the undercurrent of a gritty family drama.
We spoke to Jordan about his career so far …
Please introduce yourself …
My name is Jordan Bolger, I’m 29 and currently working as an actor.
Describe your life right now in a word or a sentence …
Curation.
You decided to become an actor when and why?
I don’t think I ever made a conscious decision to be an actor, when I was around 14 I realised that a life/career in the creative/performance side of things was way more appealing to me than a job at a desk. From there, it was more about following opportunities that pushed me in that direction and stimulated that part of me. My first professional acting job was Peaky Blinders when I was 19.
Telling the people most significant to you that you were going to be an actor was like …?
It was really an evolving journey that no one could predict. They had to trust I knew the right next steps for myself. Being the first person in my family to go into the arts, there wasn’t anyone to guide me but I had a mother who believed in me and supported me in any way she could!
It seems like you’ve popped up out of nowhere. We know that for actors this is never the case, there’s always a back CV of countless small roles and unsung scenes. What was the moment for you that the industry/people really started taking notice of your talent?
I’m not sure that there’s been a gear change moment in the way the industry has responded to me and my work other than my debut in Peaky Blinders, being a new face in a fairly new show. Myself and my team have always approached my career like chess, aiming for consistency, quality and taking steps at the right time. So, while there’s buzz after projects of course my position in the industry has always felt like a pretty steady progression.
Can we talk about how impactful Peaky Blinders was to you and what it was like being a part of such an iconic series … AND (in my opinion) being a believable part of that world … considering you were one of the very few characters of colour …
Yeah, Peaky Blinders was like my drama school to a degree, being part of a cast full of unbelievably talented, seasoned actors helped me (I think) bypass some wrong turns, in that it felt like I had so many moments to hear about their journeys and learnings … so I listened and paid attention.
Okay so now This Town, who do you play, what’s their position in the World of This Town and what’s your character’s ultimate goal?
I play Gregory Williams, older brother, and partial wild card whose goal, I think, is to stop having to fight the world and find some harmony in life for himself and his loved ones.
Where does this series and role find you on your career journey?
It’s a very full circle moment being 10 years from my first job which was also written by the same writer as This Town, Steven Knight. And the progress I’ve made in my career next to the position of this character Gregory and the content I get to play with … I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Any highs, lows and solutions you had to deal with whilst filming This Town …
So many highs, lows and a broken foot as with most projects … maybe not the broken foot but … I think when you have chosen a project because you are passionate about the right bits (character, writing, general message) it makes it a lot easier, or maybe more determined to persist and bring your A game even when you find yourself in a hole of self-doubt and exhaustion.
It’s a jam-packed cast, who did you lean on most to get through filming?
I can’t say much without giving any spoilers but my character is a bit of a lone wolf. So while, personally, I forged beautiful relationships with my cast mates, a lot of my prep and shooting time felt pretty isolated. Myself and Nicholas Pinnock became very close and actually went straight on to a feature film together called Heavy Weight, a boxing movie looking at the 80 or so minutes before my character’s (Derek) biggest fight of his life.
Without spoilers, what’s your favourite moment in This Town?
Episode 3 … ”Welcome Home Virgil”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU …
If not this, then what?
Maybe a gym instructor, but honestly all I know is that if I hadn’t left Coventry and ended up on this journey my life would have been very different
What are you watching right now?
Three Body Problem
What are you reading right now?
The Tools Stutz
The last thing you saw on stage?
For black boys who have considered suicide…
What’s on your bucket list?
Japan
Where’s your happy place?
Jamaica
Celebrate someone else …
‘Minor Formula’ a clothing brand from Birmingham started by my brothers from young days. Clean hearts, Cold clothes.
Celebrate yourself …
I struggle to do that as many others do… but I’m well on my way to where I know I can get to.
Whose footsteps are you following in?
No one springs to mind to say I’m following in their footsteps, but I would like to acknowledge that without other actors and artists of colour achieving what they have and fighting for what they have in the years before me … this wouldn’t be possible or the journey and result could have been very different.
What’s Next?
Something unpredictable, I’m sure.
Where can we find you?
Instagram and most other platforms – Caramaka
When and where can we watch This Town?
Easter Sunday BBC1 @9pm and BBC iPlayer with the whole series from Bank Holiday Monday