Joel Harper-Jackson Talks About Playing Opposite Jonathan Bailey In Cock And His “Absolutely Wild” Bridgteron Fans
The West End revival of the 2009 play Cock by Mike Bartlett had a lead change halfway through. The initial cast had Taron Egerton and Jonathan Bailey as the title lovers, but due to personal reasons, Egerton’s understudy Joel Harper-Jackson took over and reports how wild and joyous Bailey’s Bridgerton fans were at shows, reports Metro.
HARPER-JACKSON HAD BIG SHOES TO FILL, BUT HE’S DONE SO VALIANTLY
Leaving the show meant Taron Egerton’s role as M in Cock needed to be taken on by his understudy. Luckily for the showrunners, that understudy happened to be Joel Harper-Jackson. In his announcement as the new M, Harper-Jackson thanked Egerton as one of his acting heroes and the company for giving him the chance to perform alongside Jonathan Bailey in this iconic play.
“Taron has been one of my acting heroes for years. I have learnt a great deal from watching, working and getting to know him during this process,” he says.
Jonathan Bailey is an esteemed actor of both the screen and stage but would probably be most recognisable for his role as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series Bridgerton. Due to the show’s mega success, Joel Harper-Jackson recounts the energy of the audience to be robust to say the least, reports Metro.
“The Bridgerton fans are extremely generous and supportive and wild at the stage door,” he says. “We often get lots of cheers when we come out.”
Taking the helm of this majorly successful play positioned Joel Harper-Jackson’s career to skyrocket with his reception being mainly warm and his cast-mates accepting him as one of their leads. According to Harper-Jackson, Bailey had been a particular joy to work with. “It’s been a real joy, and I’ve learned a lot from him. It’s been really magnificent to play opposite [him]. I never imagined that this would happen. It’s been great,” he says.
“I just feel like I’m one very lucky lad. I don’t want to expect anything, but I’m happy with my lot and hopefully this will bring other things – but if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t. I’m also content with that because I’ve got so much more than I bargained for or anticipated.”
With Cock having wrapped up mid-year, Joel Harper-Jackson has been keeping himself busy with solo performances in shows such as Pride At The Palace, a role in Chess The Musical, a role in Kinky Boots and upcoming television roles slated for September.
