Why Emily’s Oliver Jackson-Cohen likes 'delicious' darker roles

Oliver Jackson-Cohen has admitted that his mother, designer Betty Jackson, is worried about his choice of roles. The actor, whose breakthrough came as the abusive boyfriend in The Invisible Man (2020), is in cinemas this week in Emily, the story of 19th century author Emily Bronte. And, once again, he’s at the centre of a turbulent relationship. Emily will be released in cinemas on 14 October by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Video transcript

FREDA COOPER: You do seem to have been playing quite a few men that aren't exactly the best of partners, don't you?

OLIVER JACKSON: [INAUDIBLE]

FREDA COOPER: I mean, "The Invisible Man," obviously, but even in "Emily," you kind of ghost her for a while-- don't you-- which is a bit cruel.

OLIVER JACKSON: [LAUGHS]

FREDA COOPER: I mean, do you think you're actually getting a reputation for playing this sort of role, or--

OLIVER JACKSON: Probably.

FREDA COOPER: And, in fact, does it worry you that you're actually quite good at it?

OLIVER JACKSON: [LAUGHS] My mom's deeply concerned.

FREDA COOPER: [CHUCKLES]

OLIVER JACKSON: Yeah. I feel like I definitely have sort of ended going off and just sort of exploring this part. I do feel like with Weightman in "Emily," though, it's the-- so much of it is not-- it's not a selfish-- well, I guess maybe it is a selfish act. But it's governed by his faith, and what he truly believes is right, and society at that time.

And I think that Frances does an incredible job with that, about sort of shining a light on religion and how controlling. It was of society and, specifically, a woman's place within that, and how everyone had to conform because stepping outside of that was too scary.

And so I think that there's something not very brave about him. So-- because he ends up having to conform and terrified of not. So-- but, yes, I've definitely-- I mean, "Invisible Man" was a very, very different part.

FREDA COOPER: Yes.

OLIVER JACKSON: But, yeah, it's-- but I think it's that delicious stuff that we all love, you know. Going off to these darker places are so much more fun than playing the friendly [INAUDIBLE].

FREDA COOPER: Yeah. They're sort of the roles that you get your teeth into really, aren't they?

OLIVER JACKSON: Exactly.