James spoke to the ECHO at the Bafta Awards this afternoon
16:39, 10 May 2026Updated 16:40, 10 May 2026
James Nelson-Joyce attending the BAFTA TV Awards 2026(Image: PA)
James Nelson-Joyce is one of the many local stars proudly waving the flag for Liverpool at the BAFTA television awards this evening, Sunday May 10. The Walton-born actor is up for best leading actor for his performance as Michael Kavanagh in This City Is Ours.
Four out of six actors in the leading actor category all have Merseyside heritage at the prestigious ceremony, which is taking place at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Stephen Graham, Ellis Howard and Taron Egerton join James in the bid for top prize. Christine Tremarco is up for the Best Supporting Actress gong for her performance as Manda Miller in Adolescence.
James spoke to the ECHO at the Bafta Awards this afternoon, explaining why the occasion is so special for him and his family. He said: “I am slightly overwhelmed to be here at the Baftas, it feels weird. I was in the car with my mum, dad and two sisters yesterday and my dad said ‘from County Road to the BAFTAs lad’ and I said ‘I know, it is mad’ but I am just very lucky.
James Nelson-Joyce attending the BAFTA TV Awards 2026(Image: PA)
“I am doing something people only dream of and I just feel lucky. You can’t ignore our city [Liverpool], we are from the greatest city in the world. They will try and hold us back and block us, but we always find a way through.”
The 36-year-old added: “I saw my mum’s face on the red carpet earlier when she saw Alan Carr, it is little moments like that. It is nice that I get to share and experience these moments with my family. If it weren’t for them I definitely would not be here.”
James outlined two things that have helped him break through as the successful actor he is today. He said: “We have a mentality in Liverpool of ‘if you lock the door we will come through your window’ and then there’s Stephen Graham.
“Stephen Graham has opened the door for me and many other actors. He has held the door open on his way up to the very top. He has not forgotten about giving back and helping people. He gives advice on auditions and agents, I realise how lucky I was to be one of those people he looked out for.”
Despite being in the same category as Stephen, James is backing the fellow Scouse actor all the way. He said: “Stephen Graham deserves everything, I am not alongside him tonight.
“I am going to watch him from a distance. He deserves all of his flowers and I am just very honoured that I get to be here.”
Jack McMullen, Julie Graham, Hannah Onslow, James Nelson Joyce and Mike Noble attend the 2026 BAFTA Television Awards(Image: 2026 Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Teasing what is to come from the second series of This City is Ours, which recently wrapped up filming for series two, James said there are “quite a few shocks” but he remained tight-lipped about what direction the storyline will take viewers.
2026 is set to be the biggest year of James’ career so far. This week, he has been confirmed as a leading cast member in new period heist film, The Man Who Stole Portugal.
The This City is Ours actor will star alongside Richard E Grant and Dominic West. The film adaptation is based on the Murray Teigh Bloom novel of the same name, about one of the biggest financial frauds of the 20th century.
BAFTA nominee James Nelson-Joyce plays Alves Reis, a self-made outsider with a genius for turning a closed door into an opportunity. He is determined to give his wife Maria and their family the life they deserve as he begins to invent his way upwards.