James Norton has made a candid confession about how a grueling theater role he took on affected his relationship with ex-fiancee Imogen Poots.
The Happy Valley star, 39, and actress, 35, went their separate ways before Christmas and their split was announced in February.
And now, James has opened up about how his grueling Season in the West End in the play A Little Lifean adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara’s novel about sexual abuse, impacted his romance with Imogen.
James said he gave his life completely to the role, adding: “If work starts to compromise one’s relationships, it can become unhealthy.” You suddenly realize that you haven’t made room for other people and that made me angry.
talking to Sunday weatherJames also admitted that their recent breakup was not his decision.
James Norton made a candid confession to the Sunday Times about how a grueling theater role he took on affected his relationship with his ex-fiancée Imogen Poots (pictured in his play A Little Life in March 2023).
James spoke openly about how his grueling West End stint in the play A Little Life (pictured), an adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara’s novel about sexual abuse, affected his romance with Imogen.
“Some of the recent choices weren’t mine, but I don’t feel reticent,” he said.
“I just want to say that you have some control over your life and the decisions you make, and other times you don’t.”
It emerged James’ ex Imogen tried to keep their heartbreaking split a secret.
Despite splitting late last year, the couple decided to keep their breakup a secret, with a source. close to the couple told MailOnline: “Imogen, for some reason, didn’t want people to know.”
The ‘free spirit’ actress previously spoke about how she ‘wasn’t ready to slow down’ because she wanted to travel the world.
However, James has been open about his hopes of wanting a family, admitting three years ago that his “gloom barometer is beginning.”
Speaking to The Times, James insisted that, as melancholy as he is, he is glad he waited to have children, as his busy career meant “it wouldn’t have been fair to bring a child into that.”
‘Aging is a struggle if you are driven mad by the decisions you have made, but I have no regrets. And, you know, some of the recent decisions weren’t mine, but I don’t feel reticent. Maybe next year I will have a family and a relationship,’ he reflected.
Imogen split her time between New York and London, but previously insisted: “I’ve never seen anything fall apart because of distance.”
she said The evening standard back in 2020: ‘It’s all I’ve ever known. I consider work to be my happy place, in a way. Because that’s all I’ve ever known: pack your bag and move on.
The Happy Valley star, 39, and actress, 35, went their separate ways before Christmas and their split was announced in February (pictured in 2022).
Despite splitting at the end of last year, the couple decided to keep their split a secret, with a source close to the couple telling MailOnline: “Imogen, for some reason, didn’t want people to know.”
‘That restlessness that is inherent to you is very addictive. And I guess now I’m supposed to slow down and start a farm or something. But I’m not ready to do that. I want to continue exploring the world.’
James previously said that his 2020 film, Nowhere Special, in which he played the dying father of a three-year-old boy, started his desire to become a father.
he said the guardian in 2021: “I’m about 30, I’ve always wanted a family, my sister has kids, my melancholy barometer is starting anyway.”
In an interview last year to promote the Happy Valley finale, James said of his busy life as an actor: “It comes at a cost because we don’t see each other much, but we’re willing to pay that for the benefit of having someone.” There’s someone close to you in your life, who understands, who forgives, who will give up their Sunday to make an annoying self-tape.’
“James and Imogen have extremely busy work lives and have found it difficult to see each other,” a source said. the sun in the middle of their division.
The couple’s romance began in December 2017 after meeting during a performance of the play Belleville at the Donmar Warehouse (pictured).
Imogen was last seen with James at Wimbledon in July last year.
‘They broke up and broke up last year. It hasn’t been easy for either of them, but they keep their heads down and move forward.
The couple’s romance began in December 2017 after meeting during a performance of the play Belleville at the Donmar Warehouse.
In 2020, Imogen moved into James’ home in London, before settling down together and, after five years of dating, they became engaged in February 2022.
Imogen was last seen with James at Wimbledon in July last year.