Actor Jamie Dornan Opens Up About His Career and Personal Life in Desert Island Discs Interview

Actor Jamie Dornan, known for his roles in the BBC drama series The Fall and the Fifty Shades film trilogy, recently sat down for an intimate interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs. The Northern Irish actor opened up about his career, his insecurities as an actor, and his personal life.

Dornan revealed that despite the confidence and self-belief needed to be an actor and perform in front of others, actors are often riddled with self-doubt and self-loathing. He shared that stepping on set should always bring about a slight fear, as it keeps him grounded and striving to prove himself.

When reflecting on his upbringing, Dornan mentioned his father, who was a gynaecologist and obstetrician and delivered over 6,000 babies during his career. He humorously joked that he feels like he’s met all of those 6,000 babies now grown up, as they often approach him in his hometown to share stories of how his dad delivered them.

Sharing a heartwarming anecdote about his parents, Dornan recounted how his mother, a nurse, caught his father’s eye when she climbed out of an outdoor swimming pool at the hospital where they both worked. Years later, when plans were made to fill in the pool, Dornan’s father requested to keep the steps as a keepsake of the moment he first laid eyes on his future wife.

The actor also spoke about his love for his home country and how he often finds himself feeling homesick when he’s away. He mentioned a piece of music that adds to his connection with Ireland, the second movement from Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 1, performed by Adele Anthony with the Ulster Orchestra. Dornan expressed how he frequently listens to this recording to feel closer to his roots.

Dornan’s acting career began during his childhood in Belfast, amidst the Troubles. He reminisced about his first notable role as Widow Twankey in a school production of Aladdin, where he drew inspiration from an incredible and fearless cleaner named Nelly Morgan, who would walk six miles to clean for his family without ever displaying any signs of fear.