Jack Gleeson, might be best known for playing cruel king, Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones, but that’s about to change as he is returning to our screens in a new role.
The Cork-born actor announced his retirement from acting nine years ago, after starring in the hit fantasy series.
But he has been dappling in the world of television recently, appearing in two episodes of the BBC’s Out of Her Mind. However, Jack is now jumping back in with his first starring role since 2014.
As he will be returning to our screens as Wentworth in BBC’s The Famous Five, based on Enid Blyton’s hit books.
First look at Jack Gleeson as Wentworth in Nicolas Winding Refn’s adaptation of children’s book ‘The Famous Five’ for the BBC. pic.twitter.com/WVpLYqhqxS
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 26, 2023
Fans will be forgiven for not noticing it was Jack in the role, as Wentworth’s dark hair and mustache are a far cry from Joffrey’s golden locks, and big crown.
The series will follow siblings Julian, Dick and Anne along with their cousin, George, and dog, Timmy as they solve mysteries around coastal Cornwall.
The series is being adapted by Nicolas Winding Refn, best known for his work on Drive, The Neon Demon, and the Pusher trilogy.
Jack will be starring alongside Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen, Flora Jacoby Richardson, Ann Akinjirin, James Lance, and Diana Quick, who will be playing his wife Mrs Wentworth.
First look at BBC’s adaptation of Enid Blyton’s ‘The Famous Five,’ with ‘Game of Thrones’ Jack Gleeson at Wentworth
(via @BBCNews | https://t.co/hMUkwUTGzd) pic.twitter.com/dpQ3nk1Otu
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) July 26, 2023
Opening up about stepping back from the acting world, the star previously told The Independent: “The answer isn’t interesting or long-winded. I’ve been acting since age 8. I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to.”
“And now there’s the prospect of doing it for a living, whereas up until now it was always something I did for recreation with my friends, or in the summer for some fun. I enjoyed it. When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it. It’s not like I hate it, it’s just not what I want to do.”
During his hiatus from the big screen, Jack studied in Trinity College Dublin, and co-founded the Collapsing Horse Theatre Company.
