Trigger Point’s Jason Flemyng ‘doesn’t understand’ how he became typecast as a villain

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Jason Flemyng, known for his role in Trigger Point, says he’s not sure why he often plays the bad guy, but he’s definitely not unhappy with how well his career is going.

The actor is starring in Vicky McClure’s new ITV thriller, playing a secretive character who sets explosive traps for people as part of what seems to be a very personal quest for revenge.

You know, someone asked me if I enjoy playing villains more than heroes, and honestly, it’s not even a question for me. I just can’t really compare! I’ve never actually played a good guy, so I don’t have any experience with that side of things.

With over 160 films under my belt, I often play characters who appear friendly at first, but ultimately reveal a darker side, becoming the villain by the story’s end,” he explained, reflecting on his career.

I’m not complaining, I’m lucky to have a comfortable home and I was able to give my children a good education. But it’s still strange! I honestly don’t know how this happened – I’m not the type of person who gets angry or has a temper, so it doesn’t make sense to me.

I’ve been following Henry Cavill’s career for a while now, and it’s fascinating to look back at some of his early roles. Before he was Superman, he really showed range! He played a bit of a scoundrel as Tom in Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, then took a darker turn as someone connected to Jack the Ripper in From Hell. And honestly, his creepy, almost demonic Azazel in X-Men: First Class was a standout – you could tell he wasn’t afraid to really embrace a villainous character. It’s a surprisingly diverse filmography for someone who’d eventually become such a classic hero.

The actor described his character’s actions as a response to “corporate greed,” noting that even well-intentioned people can be driven to do wrong when they feel they have no other choice.

“He’s a sort of cross between Hannibal Lecter and Che Guevara,” added Flemyng.

Jed Mercurio, the creator of Trigger Point, explained that the show needed to develop a backstory for the villain and reveal their motivations through the bombings they orchestrated.

We put a lot of effort into figuring out how the character will develop throughout each season. We’ve especially enjoyed working with Jason Flemyng this year – I’ve admired his work for a long time, and I’m so glad we were able to get him on board.

Trigger Point returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 26th October 2025.

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2025-10-26 22:34