Jamie Belldances, too—remember?Bell rose to prominence as a young boyand has since become a reliably superb staple in Hollywood. In recent years, he sunk his teeth into juicy supporting roles forKing Kong(2005),Nymphomaniac: Vol. II(2013) andRocketman(2019). It was announced in 2021 thatBell would join the cast of Elisabeth Moss' upcoming Apple TV+ thrillerShining Girls. With other projects in the works (both announced and rumored), including a potential Fred Astaire film with Margaret Qualley, as well asThe Adventures of Tintin: Red Rackham’s Treasure, we can’t wait to see Bell grace the screen next. Here’s a closer look at his finest performances to date.
Related:Tom Holland to Play Fred Astaire in Upcoming Biopic
5Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017)
Real life proves to be just as dramatic off-screen as it does on it for aging Hollywood superstar Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening) and her much younger lover, Peter Turner (Jamie Bell). As their mismatched romance waxes and wanes over time, events depicted inFilm Stars Don’t Die in Liverpoolconspire to keep them in each other’s lives even when it proves to be difficult and demanding. Ultimately, they find that they must each come to terms with whatever fate they face in the future whether they are together or apart.
Based on the memoir of the same name by Turner,Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpoolreceived three nominations at the 71st British Academy Film Awards. Although it was a box office flop, the film received generally positive reviews. Bening, as per usual, is a standout in the role of Grahame, but Bell carries the screen well, too. “The thing that struck me is she said they didn’t really stand out,“Bell told Varietyabout the couple portrayed in the film. “They weren’t an extraordinary couple; you didn’t look at them twice. They were just an ordinary guy and a gal in love. I like her perspective about their ordinariness. A lot of this film has to do with nonjudgment and love in its purest form. The film takes place in the late ’70s, early ’80s, when we didn’t have things like Twitter or IMDb. You didn’t know everything about a person. There’s something nonjudgmental about them coming together, their flaws and all.”
4Turn: Washington’s Spies (2014-2017)
This AMC drama series follows a Long Island farmer who bands together a group of childhood friends to form The Culper Ring, an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America’s fight for independence. Based on Alexander Rose’s bookWashington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring(2007), the story covers events from 1776 to 1781. The series begins shortly after British victories recapture Long Island and the Port of New York for the Crown, and leave General George Washington’s army in dire straits.
The first episode opens with the following introductory text:Autumn 1776. Insurgents have declared war against the Crown. Following a successful naval landing, His Majesty’s Army has forced Washington’s rebels into the wilderness. New York City serves as military base of operations for the British. The Loyalists of nearby Long Island keep vigilant watch out for sympathizers and spies.
Bell plays Abe Woodhull, the farmer who leads The Culper Ring. “I think there is a responsibility in playing someone who existed and who did something quite incredible, in terms of the history of this country,“Bell once told Colliderregarding his character. “There isn’t much that is not about this character. Pretty much next to nothing. What we do know really comes from the correspondence between him and George Washington, and that only gives us a limited account of what this man was like and what his experiences were like. There isn’t a monument erected in his name. In Washington, he’s not in marble. He’s of that level, to this country. He’s that important to this country’s beginnings. So, the responsibility is huge because we’ve literally never seen him before and we’ve never heard of him before.”
3Snowpiercer (2013)
Bong Joon-ho, the mastermindbehind the recentOscar-showeredParasite, made his English-language feature debut withSnowpiercerin 2013. This post-apocalyptic sci-fi action film based on the French graphic climate fiction novel stars Chris Evans plus an equally stellar cast including Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt and Ed Harris. It takes place aboard a sprawling train that travels a globe-spanning track, carrying the last remnants of humanity after a failed attempt at climate engineering to stop global warming has created a new “snowball Earth.”
Snowpiercerreceived critical acclaim and appeared on many film critics' top ten lists of 2014 after its international release, with praise for its vision, direction and performances, particularly that of Evans. Initially planned for a limited-screen showing in the U.S., the critical response prompted The Weinstein Company to expand the showing to more theaters and to digital streaming services.
Bell plays Edgar, who is second-in-command under Curtis Everett, the leader of the revolution (played by Chris Evans). Bell brings the right amount of intensity and mischievousness to the role. He is magnetic on screen.
Related:These Movies Will Make You Second Guess Ever Taking a Train
2Skin (2018)
Based on the true story of Bryon Widner, Skin follows a destitute young man raised by racist skinheads and notorious among white supremacists. With the help of a Black activist and the woman he loves, he turns his back on hatred and violence to transform his life. He undergoes painful treatments to remove the tattoos covering his entire face and body—the physical representation of the hate he exhibited to the world for more than half his life. Based on the true story of Bryon Widner.
Skinis a 2018 American biographical drama film written and directed by Israeli-born filmmaker Guy Nattiv and released by the high-quality backers of A24. Separately, be sure to check out theOscar-winning short filmSkin, which was also released in 2018.
Bell plays Widner in a tough, utterly committed performance that will just floor you. Addionally, his organic chemistry with Danielle Macdonald as his on-screen wife effectively carries the story.
1Billy Elliot
Set in County Durham in North East England during the 1984–1985 miners' strike, the film is about a working-class boy who discovers a passion for ballet. His father objects, based on negative stereotypes of male ballet dancers, but ultimately warms up to the idea in an unforgettable tale of family, hardship and pursuing dreams.Billy Elliotreceived positive critical response and commercial success, earning more than $109 million worldwide on just a $5 million budget. Bell became the youngest winner of Best Actor in a Leading Role at the British Film Academy Awards. The film also spawned a mini-franchise, if you will: In 2001, the film was adapted as a novel by Melvin Burgess also for the West End stage asBilly Elliot the Musical— whichfeaturedSpider-Manhimself, Tom Holland, the role.
Bell plays the titular character, which would certainly launch his career in Hollywood. Around 2,000 boys were reportedly considered for the role of Billy before Bell was chosen for the role. The rest is history!
