I have been accused on this here site of anti-blonde discrimination. I will admit that most blondes leave me cold, attractiveness-wise. But there are definite exceptions (Tom Mison, anyone?), and JJ Feild is definitely on my to-shag list, primarily for his SO CHARMING I MAY DIE performance in Northanger Abbey. Let’s dive into his historical costume career, shall we?
The Railway Children (2000)
An adaptation of the famous novel, set in 1905.
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001)
A Hallmark channel and Jim Henson (muppets) production. Feild plays young Jack, of beanstalk fame, I presume.
He hangs with cows.
And is very, VERY blonde!
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001)
The worth-watching BBC version, as opposed to the eminently skippable feature film. Feild plays the nephew of Nicholas’s employers and a suitor to his sister, Kate.
Daw, lookit that smile!
The Intended (2002)
A period drama in which “a surveyor and his fiancée who arrive in a remote Malaysian trading post and encounter a close-fisted ivory trader and her ill-meaning family,” per Wikipedia. Can’t tell which period, or anything about Feild’s character…
Looks like a super cheerful film! #SkippingIt
The Tulse Luper Suitcases: The Moab Story, Antwerp, Vaux to the Sea, From Sark to the Finish / A Life in Suitcases (2003-05)
Okay, I’m totally confused. If you care, go read about this series of films and, um, other stuff at Wikipedia.
There are suitcases.
No idea.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Death on the Nile (2004)
The husband of the murder victim, a socialite, in this 1930s-set murder mystery.
Oh how dapper 1930s menswear can be…
And I do love a good cream suit!
To the Ends of the Earth (2005)
A BBC adaptation of a series of novels set on a British naval ship en route to Australia in the early 19th century. Feild plays “Lieutenant Deverel.”
With Benedict Cumberbatch…
And in uniform to boot!
The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton (2006)
As the husband of the 19th century’s Martha Stewart equivalent.
#NeedsMoreCoats
O Jerusalem (2006)
A film set during the creation of Israel in the late 1940s.
I’m getting a “Talented Mr. Ripley” vibe (style-wise) here…
Sally Lockhart Mysteries: The Ruby in the Smoke (2006)
Another BBC adaptation, this one of an 1870s-set female detective story. He plays a photographer who is a love interest of the main character.
With Billie Piper and Hayley Atwell.
Northanger Abbey (2007)
AS THE BEST HENRY TILNEY EVER!! He understands muslin! And overlooked country girls! And is witty and charming and good and kind! And probably a GREAT kisser…
None of the still photos I can find at all convey Feild’s/Tilney’s charm!
Where’s the teasing smile??!!
The Shadow in the North (2007)
The sequel to The Ruby in the Smoke…
A little Matt Smith for you Doctor Who fans…
Love the colors on both leads!
Centurion (2010)
This seems like a weird casting choice — he plays a Roman soldier in this Michael Fassbender-led film.
Agatha Christie’s Marple: The Pale Horse (2010)
As an eyewitness to a 1950s murder.
The Night Watch (2011)
An LGBTQ story set in post-World War II London.
Charming!
Austenland (2013)
We really need to do a thorough review of this story of a modern woman who goes on vacation to a Jane Austen-themed immersive resort. Feild plays the Mr. Darcy-esque character.
Also, I don’t care if it’s fake, #PugLife
What happened to Keri Russell’s sleeves?
Such a hilarious movie!
And, any excuse to post this video:
The Musketeers (2014)
Feild played “Marsac” in two episodes of this 17th-century TV series.
Gritty?
TURN: Washington’s Spies (2014-16)
Even Feild’s hotness as Major John Andre wasn’t enough to hold my interest in this yawn of an American Revolutionary War TV series.
I do like a man in uniform…
Especially with some grrr-inducing breeches!
“Hold that thought, I need to go make out with the Frock Flicks ladies!”
Which is your favorite of JJ Feild’s historical costume roles?
Northanger Abbey FTW! (Though Austenland was surprisingly OK. That fake pug is hilarious). Must find The Night Watch STAT.
Night Watch is a very good book, and a pretty good TV adaptation. Me likee
Well, blond can’t do it for everybody: For example, I like Hiddleston MUCH better when he falls into the hair dye… Although… scrolls back … I suppose every rule can have an exception, wot?
I have never seen any of these. I’m going to need more Amazon credits. Those first few blonde blonde pics remind me of Leslie Howard. I am aswoon! Is aswoon an actual word? I care not. I’m a sucker for blondes, ask my silver haired hubby.
Oh, I really like him as Major Andre! And yes! Northanger Abbey!
He also has a small part in Professor Marsden and the Wonder Women (which is… fine… Read The Secret History of Wonder Woman instead).
Austenland! My love for that movie cannot be denied. He, & everyone else, is perfect. sigh
I bloody love Austenland! It’s so perfect in every way. AND as well as the charming JJ Feild it has Bret Mckenzie (heart eyes)
Centurion with him in and Fassbender wasn’t half bad. I believe he played a unsuspected “bady”.
Northhanger Abbey was indeed great and Austen Land is a real hoot 😂
And he’s a WWII red beret in Captain America: The First Avenger.
If Hiddleston is not available for a future remake of the Scarlet Pimpernel than I nominate JJ Feild. I always forget that he and Neve Campbell are a couple.
Northanger Abbey. The Poirots. Need to see O Jerusalem & Washington Spies.
Not having seen the adaptation, but in my reading of Northanger Abbey, Tilney may be gay. Deeply closeted, but gay. And of course a young Jane Austen, when writing the novel, would think that a man who tracks the price of muslin and share interest in girly things is a great match. Not quite understanding the underpinnings of a good match quite yet, perhaps. That said, I’m probably reading modern stereotypes into things, but it’d make an interesting paper. :)
I always got the feeling that the muslin discussion between Mrs. Allen, Catherine and Henry Tilney was another way Austen made fun of or made sarcastic remarks about the social scene at Bath and the like.
Totally with you on Austenland! And always ready to rewatch the video…
IMO, stop making him blonde, filmmakers. It really doesn’t suit his skin tone. Andre was the ONLY good thing about TURN. :P
Historical Question: Kendra, what is the deal with the rat tail looking thing hanging off the side of his head in the very last picture? I don’t remember ever seeing that and would love to know its significance.
Becca, there is a portrait of the real John Andre with the random braid and that is why they stuck it on JJ’s handsome head. I don’t believe it was in any other portraits but the one.
Here is a link to a discussion and the portrait
https://spycurious.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/major-john-andres-mysterious-white-braid/
JJ Field has been my imaginary boyfriend since I first saw Northanger Abbey back in the day. And since Tilney is my fave Austen hero, he made QUITE the impression. His smile is irresistible. His voice is smooth and elegant. His hears are a little big and it’s cute as hell. I will have a massive crush on this man until the day I die.
So agree!! Northanger Abbey is my favorite Austen novel and he’s just perfect in the movie!! Tilney is sweet and a tease and JJ nails it.
His hair is naturally light brown but he is a lovely blonde. It was his role as the sexy Major Andre on Turn that I noticed him and became a fan. The series is not everyone’s cup of tea but give it a proper chance. It’s JJ’s best performance in my opinion. The Intended takes place in the early 1920’s. It’s dark but he’s extremely good in it, impressive given how young he was. The Tulse Luper Suitcases is whack but is somehow endearing if you have some patience. It’s a lot of fun to watch with a friend and some wine.
You missed:
Last Orders (1940-1950 period), where he’s wildly blonde and magnetic. He plays Michael Caine’s younger self in flashbacks.
Telstar: The Joe Meek Story – late 1950’s/early 1960’s London biopic. He has extraordinarily electric peroxide blonde hair. He sings, plays guitar, shares a long hot kiss with another dude, and wears sparkly suits.
I love JJ in Northanger Abbey and Austenland!
It’s not a period role, but he’s ever so wonderful in Stephen Poliakoff’s Perfect Strangers! He plays the deceased brother of Claire Skinner and Toby Stephens (one of his best performances, too). It’s a who’s who of BBC actors–Matthew MacFadyen, Michael Gambon, Lindsey Duncan, Timothy Spall–and surprisingly riveting considering it’s about a family reunion.
I am not able to choose between Major André or Henry Nobley… So both!! 😄
I was a bit ambivalent about “Austenland” (not always my sense of humour), but JJ’s role was perfect! And YES, you need to review it more thoroughly!
When I watched death on the nile I thought he was Hiddleston, until this post.
How can you call “Turn” a Yawn???????? No way, it was actually a little over-the-top action packed at times! Inaccurate in several ways, but so dramatic and he plays an excellent John Andre in it!