Vinnie Jones explains why Clarkson’s Farm comparisons are “upsetting” as he returns with In the Country

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Vinnie Jones was known as a tough football player, but he became famous as an actor when he appeared in Guy Ritchie’s first film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, in 1998. Since then, he’s played a wide range of characters, including soldiers, villains, and plenty of criminals.

When did your love of the outdoors begin?

I caught my first trout with my dad when I was seven years old. He really loved the outdoors – we had everything needed for fishing, hunting, and we even bred working dogs. We lived in Watford, and I’ll never forget discovering a lapwing’s nest in a field. If I were on the quiz show Mastermind, I’d choose British nature as my specialty – I’m pretty knowledgeable about it!

You’ve moved from football to acting to country living — is it in your nature to reinvent yourself?

I can’t stand being idle; I need to be busy. I actually get stressed if I don’t have a full schedule. This work is where I truly thrive – it feels like being back in 1988, playing a huge football match at Wembley Stadium. It’s a wonderful way to reconnect with my childhood, which was filled with time spent outdoors and playing football. Now, my life revolves around the countryside and acting.

You came up with the concept for “Vinnie Jones in the Country” before the COVID-19 pandemic. Did the pandemic end up affecting how you made the show?

Losing my wife, Tanya, right before the pandemic started was incredibly isolating. I spent most of lockdown just trying to distract myself with Netflix. But as soon as things started to open up, I desperately needed to get out into nature. It felt like I was suddenly forced to take a leap of faith – there was no other option. That’s how it felt with the show too; I just jumped right in.

How would you describe the show?

Our show is different from others – it’s a relaxed, countryside event, not a farming demonstration or tied to any specific goal. People keep comparing us to ‘Clarkson’s Farm,’ which bothers me a little. Jeremy’s done great work highlighting the lives of farmers, but we offer something a bit different. We’re small-scale – after our second season, the biggest sponsorship we got was a rake! ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ has all the big machinery – tractors, combines, the works – we’re much more low-key.

Did you set out to explore grief and male friendship this series, or did that emerge naturally?

We didn’t have a strict plan for the show; we’ve allowed it to evolve naturally, adapting to challenges as they arise. And it’s important to talk about mental health, especially in rural areas, because working in the countryside can often be isolating.

Are people surprised by your interest in nature and mental health?

I used to get a lot of bad press, and honestly, some of it was my own fault because of my drinking. But I’ve been sober for 12 years this April, and I wanted to show people what I’m really like. For example, yesterday I spent six hours patiently waiting just to catch a glimpse of a kingfisher. People have wrongly labeled me as a south London gangster, but that’s never been true.

After 15 years in the US, did you miss the British countryside?

I relocated to the Burbank area to pursue acting, which is just across the valley from Beverly Hills. It was funny – I actually saw a lot of wildlife, but mostly while people were golfing! I also made sure to get up to Canada a few times each year for fly fishing, and to watch the eagles. Honestly, my absolute favourite place in the world is just north of Vancouver – it feels like a completely different world up there.

What’s next for your partnership with film-maker Guy Ritchie?

I’m really involved in the new season of The Gentlemen, and I might also be in another big movie with Guy Ritchie this year. I’ve been confirmed as one of the leads in his upcoming film, ‘Viva la Madness,’ which is based on the ‘Layer Cake’ books, alongside Jason Isaacs and Jonny Lee Miller. Staying busy like this is good for my mental health.

You’ve nicknamed your home “the new Yellowstone” after the show. Besides that, what else have you been watching on television recently?

We recently enjoyed MobLand, and I’ll always make time for David Attenborough – he’s a real inspiration to me. We also like watching Grand Designs and The Chase. Aside from football, though, we don’t watch much television. Living in the countryside is tiring, so we’re usually exhausted and in bed early, before 9pm. Plus, we have a new puppy which keeps us very occupied!

Will there be more In the Country?

We’re still figuring things out. We initially thought three seasons felt like a good stopping point, and we’re currently filming the build of our lake house. We’re wondering if we should turn that construction process into its own series, but we’re hesitant. I always preferred finishing strong rather than declining, like I experienced in football. We’ve really enjoyed making the show, but seeing the challenges and politics in a show like Clarkson’s Farm makes us cautious. We want to keep our show lighthearted and fun – more of a passion project than anything else.

Authors

Jonathan Wells

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2026-02-09 20:48