The Inbetweeners’ James Buckley says people still expect him to be a gross school kid
He's back on TV, working with A-listers in Zapped and in real life he's all grown up
When James Buckley was approached about new Dave comedy Zapped, the show’s executive producer requested a meeting. Nothing unusual there – except this producer was Steve Coogan.
“It was a massive deal for me,” grins James, 29. “He is my ultimate hero. All he had to say was: ‘I think you’d be really good in this show.’ I said: ‘I’ll do it!’ That was pretty much the meeting. It’s bizarre how your life pans out.
“I was nominated for a BAFTA for best comedy performance [in 2008 for E4 comedy The Inbetweeners] and I was up against Steve Coogan. And because I overthink things and can’t just enjoy them, I was worried.
First of all, I thought: ‘Steve Coogan will win.’ And then secondly: ‘What if he doesn’t, and I’ve beaten my hero?’ Steve Coogan won. Didn’t matter. He’s still my hero, I haven’t dethroned him yet.”
Zapped tells the story of Brian, an ordinary bloke who’s transported to a parallel universe inhabited by mermaids and warlocks. This zany premise was what appealed.
“People will probably notice that they haven’t seen me much on television since The Inbetweeners,” says James.
“Because every script I read was: ‘Recently graduated students trying to make their way in the world.’ People are scared to do something that isn’t Miranda or Mrs Brown’s Boys. When this came along it was a real joy. I’d started to lose faith.”
Despite a non-showbiz background – his mum works for the local council and his dad’s a postman – James has been acting since he was 11, but it was of course as boastful-yet-loveable buffoon Jay Cartwright in The Inbetweeners that he shot to fame.
“I knew I wanted to do comedy, but I didn’t know how I was going to do it,” he explains. “I couldn’t actually tell you how I’ve ended up in this seat right now. But I’m very grateful that I have.
“The Inbetweeners means that my life is now walking down the street and complete strangers are pleased to see me. That’s an amazing thing.”
While James laughs off the idea that he’s haunted by Jay’s favourite word, ‘clunge’, he does admit people are disappointed to realise he’s a softly-spoken family man in real life.
“I’m not a schoolkid, I’m actually a married man with children, I’m not on the pull and not – hopefully – a sex pervert,” he laughs. “Although who knows? There might be some stuff that comes out in 30 years’ time. That is a joke.
“But I can see a little bit of their soul die. A thing comes over their eyes. People are like: ‘Mental! Where are you off to?’ And I say: ‘Just off to the dry cleaner’s, and we’ve run out of cereal. Sorry. Clunge!’”
But disappointing as it may be, living a normal life is something James wouldn’t change.
“We’ve been having stuff done to the house and I’m making trips to the dump,” he says.
“I’m thinking: ‘Is Jude Law driving to the dump? Or Katie Price? When was I supposed to be a celebrity and when was my life supposed to change?’ But I’ll take my own stuff to the dump, thank you very much. That way I know it’s been destroyed.
“I met Justin Timberlake [they are co-stars in new film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping] and I’m not sure if he’s managed to find out the celebrity lifestyle trick yet. Mariah Carey turned up with all her entourage – I’d be heartbroken if she didn’t – but Justin just turned up in his car, on his own. We talked about being dads.
“Americans don’t really know The Inbetweeners, so it’s like I’m starting from scratch out there. But the good thing is, in between auditions I’m just having some nice food or going to the gym, rather than fitting someone’s kitchen. So I’m not starting completely from scratch.”