Jamie Bell on the difficulties of parenthood: ‘I understand why my father left’

Jamie Bell has reflected on the difficulties of being a parent, saying “I understand why my father left”.

The award-winning actor has been outspoken about his childhood and being raised by a single mother, after his father walked out on her while she was pregnant.

In an interview with Radio Times, the 40-year-old has opened up about how fatherhood is the “hardest role I’ll ever play”.

When asked about pushing back against ideas of toxic masculinity that young men face, Bell reflected on his role as a parent and said: “Love is the answer.

“If you’re consistent with your kids – and that’s not easy, we’re human and react to things in the wrong way – then that bedrock is everything.

“I understand why my father left. It’s really hard to be a parent.

“The harder thing is to stay, to show up through thick and thin.

“Being a father is the hardest role I’ll ever play – the greatest reward and challenge.”

Bell, best known for starring in Billy Elliot (2000), has three young children and is married to American actress Kate Mara.

The actor, from Billingham, Co Durham, is known for playing characters with difficult and strained father-son relationships, including in Undertow (2004) and All Of Us Strangers (2023).

He will take on yet another role as a troubled young man struggling without a father in new TV drama Half Man, which follows the turbulent, decades-long relationship of two non-biological brothers.

Bell stars in the miniseries alongside Scottish actor Richard Gadd, who is best known for creating and starring in hit dark-comedy Netflix series Baby Reindeer.

Reflecting on the recurring theme of father and son relationships in his work, he told the magazine: “I think people come to me because I exude it, I subconsciously bring that baggage.

“So many of my characters are orphaned or dealing with parental dysfunction.”