Tom Cullen on playing gay roles: Why Black Church Bay made him think about representation
At an Iris Prize screening, the actor described the responsibility he feels playing Barry, a closeted man whose life unravels in the Welsh thriller.
Tom Cullen said LGBTQ representation matters as he discussed playing a closeted man in Black Church Bay at the Iris Prize Festival in Cardiff. BBC Wales reported his comments on 19 October, after the festival listed a screening of the film for 18 October.
Cullen said he did not take the privilege of playing a gay character lightly. He plays Barry, whose life begins to unravel after an intimate encounter with a younger man in the mystery thriller, according to the BBC.
How Tom Cullen approached Barry
Cullen said he approached Barry ‘exactly the same’ as he would a straight character. ‘They are characters that you have to empathise with and understand. And fundamentally my job is empathy,’ he told the BBC at the screening. He described the script as ‘really challenging’ and said its darkness drew him to the role.
The actor previously played a gay character in the 2011 British romantic drama Weekend, his first film role. He recalled talking to gay friends about their experiences while preparing for that part. He said Weekend and Black Church Bay showed the range of stories possible in queer cinema, which he felt could be pigeonholed.
Why Black Church Bay was filmed in Anglesey
Welsh-Irish filmmaker Rhys Marc Jones wrote and directed Black Church Bay, which was filmed in Anglesey. Jones told the BBC he had written the film with its locations in mind and wanted his debut film to be made in Wales. He wanted somewhere that could look idyllic before becoming threatening; Anglesey, he said, could be stunning but also foreboding.
Joe Locke, known for playing Charlie Spring in Heartstopper, also stars. Locke said Anglesey reminded him of his home on the Isle of Man: the landscape and small towns felt familiar. Cullen said the production showcased Wales, though he was also filming House of the Dragon and travelled to London for weekend shoots after his weeks in Wales.
The film appeared in the Iris Prize festival’s 20th-anniversary programme of 16 features. Its official listing named Cullen and Locke for a question-and-answer session following the 18 October screening. The Cardiff-based festival celebrates LGBTQ+ stories from around the world.
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Sources and context
- Black Church Bay star Tom Cullen says LGBTQ representation 'really matters'BBC News
- 2026 Features – Iris PrizeIris Prize
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.