Armstrong: I needed therapy to get through role of paedophile Bennell
ROBIN Hood star Jonas Armstrong has told how he consulted a therapist to help him deal with emotional issues while playing evil football paedophile Barry Bennell.
The Irish-born actor features in TV drama Floodlights, which tells the story of how Bennell abused young footballer Andy Woodward, whose brave revelations sent shockwaves throughout football.
Woodward, 48, spoke out in 2016, prompting a string of other ex-players to come forward.
Bennell, 68, is now serving a 34-year jail term after being convicted of child sexual abuse offences against 22 boys.
A judge at Liverpool Crown Court described him as “the devil incarnate”.
Armstrong, 41, was initially reluctant to play the role.
“My first reaction to playing Barry Bennell was, ‘No way!’
“It kind of made me feel a bit sick, you know the thought of having to play some of these scenes out.
“But then talking to production, they said these things [like therapists] will be put Daivnidplsacteetpohmeankseon you feel comfortable – and they were.’
Such was the shocking content, that during filming, Armstrong did resort to on-set therapy.
“The lady that I spoke to, Lou, was brilliant,” he said. “She was fantastic. I didn’t know how the conversation would begin, or how it would be, but then before you knew it, 45 minutes were up, and you’ve let off all this stuff, and then you feel settled at the end of it. He added: “She helped me very much.”
The BBC2 drama depicts Woodward’s life, from boyhood to a successful professional footballer who had the world at his feet, until he was no longer able to ignore the haunting memories of the abuse.
Shameless actor Gerard Kearns, 37, who plays Andy Woodward, said: “It was a heart-breaking story.
“It took us all to an emotional place.”
Armstrong revealed that Bennell, according to witnesses, would change physically as he approached a potential victim.
He said: “Bennell’s eyes would go black, as he would hone in on the prey.”
Journalistvictoria Derbyshire who covered the case and has seen the film, said: “It was so upsetting to watch. I was shocked and horrified.”
‘It kind of made me feel sick’
Floodlights, BBC2, Tues, 9pm.