Jim Sturgess, the British actor who shot to fame in his early 20s, has admitted he wishes he had savoured his Hollywood success more. Reflecting on his rapid rise, Sturgess, now 47, described the experience as 'extremely scary'. He rose to prominence with roles in films such as the Beatles musical 'Across the Universe' and the romantic drama 'One Day'.
Sturgess is currently starring in 'Mix Tape', a wistful romantic drama set across two decades. The four-episode series follows Dan and Alison, who reconnect in adulthood after a teenage romance in 1980s Sheffield. Sturgess plays the adult Dan, a music journalist still haunted by his first love, while Australian actress Teresa Palmer plays Alison. The pair first met in 2008 during chemistry tests for the film '21'. Palmer did not get that role but has now reunited with Sturgess on screen.
Reflecting on the series, Sturgess said mix tapes were a 'big, big part' of his younger years. He taught the younger actors in 'Mix Tape' how to compile cassettes, describing it as 'an art form'. The actor, known for his affinity with romantic roles, said he has been 'working on my yearning' and finds love stories increasingly compelling as he ages.
Palmer praised Sturgess as 'the kindest, warmest, coolest, most effortless actor I've ever worked with'. The pair swapped playlists before filming, with Sturgess introducing her to UK rap artists such as Kano and Dizzee Rascal. 'Twenty-odd years later, we were reconnecting,' he said.
