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\nRichard Gadd stars alongside Jamie Bell in Half Man<\/p>\n
Jamie Bell has reflected on the difficulties of being a parent, saying “I understand why my father left”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Radio Times, the 40-year-old has opened up about how fatherhood is the “hardest role I’ll ever play”.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“If you\u2019re consistent with your kids \u2013 and that\u2019s not easy, we\u2019re human and react to things in the wrong way \u2013 then that bedrock is everything.<\/p>\n
“I understand why my father left. It\u2019s really hard to be a parent.<\/p>\n
“The harder thing is to stay, to show up through thick and thin.<\/p>\n
“Being a father is the hardest role I\u2019ll ever play \u2013 the greatest reward and challenge.”<\/p>\n
Bell, best known for starring in Billy Elliot (2000), has three young children and is married to American actress Kate Mara.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
\nRichard Gadd stars alongside Jamie Bell in Half Man<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n