Jack Rowan (Bonnie Gold)
Steven Knight’s acclaimed Birmingham saga reaches new levels of intensity in its action-packed fourth series starting Wednesday 15 November on BBC Two.
The boxing is Bonnie’s story so it’s a dream role. Acting is what I want to do but to have those moments where everyone’s watching you box is great.
How are we first introduced to Bonnie Gold?
Bonnie is the son of Aberama Gold, played by Aidan Gillen. His dream is to be a boxer and he does his dad’s odd jobs. Bonnie’s not a killer, he hasn’t got bad blood but he’s helping his father out a few times. They’re from a gypsy family. We see the stand off between the gypsies and the Shelbys the moment we arrive on the scene. Aberama loves and adores his son and wants Tommy to help Bonnie achieve his ambition. That’s Bonnie’s role in this story; he’s part of Aberama and Tommy’s deal to help each other out.
Having joined the cast for this new series, what was your favourite moment on set?
Filming in the boxing hall was my favourite scene to film. To have a ring where the ropes are actually boxing ropes and it is a proper working boxing ring was really special. Add a period boxing costume and you really feel like you’re in the 1920s. They packed out the hall with hundreds of supporting artists so they’re going crazy whilst we’re fighting and there’s fake blood on my opponent and I; it was all very real. It felt so authentic and I loved it all.
How did your career as an amateur boxer help with finding the character of Bonnie?
I had 27 amateur boxing fights and I won 18. It used to be what I wanted to do as a career until the acting took over. The stunt coordinator on Peaky trusted us so we could add some of our own little flares into each fight sequence. That training helped with the filming because it comes naturally to me. It’s a skill of mine, which I’ve been able to bring in thanks to this role. It makes me feel more confident.
Are you pleased to be able to share this skill through Bonnie? Was this what attracted you to the role?
I’ve always wanted to get a role as a boxer and I will hopefully get roles in the future where I can play a boxer again. To do it in a show like Peaky Blinders, which is already so established, I couldn’t have asked for more. The boxing is Bonnie’s story so it’s a dream role. Acting is what I want to do but to have those moments where everyone’s watching you box is great because those are my moments and hopefully that’s what my character will be remembered for even if they don’t remember my name.
