Harry is set to star in a film adaptation of the 2012 critically acclaimed Bethan Roberts novel “My Policeman,” as Tom. He will star opposite of Emma Corrin (Marion) as a closeted gay man who gets married to a woman despite being in a passionate affair with another male (Patrick, who will be played by David Dawson.) He marries her despite not being in love with her, because gay love was still viewed as a social ill in the 1950s when the novel initially takes place.
All I have to say is, damn. I wasn’t expecting this all to come to fruition after we spotted Harry with a copy of this book upside down in his coat pocket in early 2020. (Before the pandemic became a huge deal.)
My only question: Is he starring in the movie because he read the book and felt passionate enough to see it brought to life? Or did he only read the book because he knew he would be starring in the movie and was already commissioned to play the role in 2020? Also, it sounds as though he may have been heavily involved with bringing the project together, since apparently he helped select Emma Corrin for her role as Marion (his onscreen wife.)
And as for Patrick, Harry’s onscreen lover…most of us were rooting for this guy…
But realistically that wasn’t going to happen. It would have turned into a porno. It would have incinerated our screens if we actually got to see them kiss. *sobs, backs away, and clutches a copy of this picture to my chest*
Instead, we got this guy. David Dawson. And while some people have said some ignorant things about him and his appearance, I think he’s a good fit, and he’s very handsome. Distinguished, gentlemanly, and mature, just my type.
I genuinely just can’t wait to see Harry kiss a man. Yup, I’m that ignorant. That’s all I took away from this movie announcement. Harry will be kissing a dude and we get to see it! Let the shameless objectification begin! No shirts shall be worn in this film! Get those lips out, Harry!
Ok sorry, I’m kidding. This is art. Let me stop behaving like an uncultured swine.
I purchased the book back in October 2020 when this was first being talked about, and I’m so slow I forgot about my purchase until today when Amazon warned me not to purchase it again. Smh, I was asking people for screenshots on Twitter like a crackhead. So, I will get to reading that book right away! The storyline is rather intriguing, especially when you begin to spot STRONG parallels to the Zarry story (although it seems like Harry is playing the wrong character here lmao.)
I am beyond proud of Harry and everything he’s accomplishing and venturing into right now. He’s a regular ol’ thespian now and I couldn’t be more proud. Let’s hope he doesn’t sleep with this director though like he did with what’s-her-face.
You know, I said this back when he landed the historical Vogue cover in December last year (which I knew about before it came out *grins smugly and nods my head*) Harry is so IT right now. And he’ll be performing at the Grammys as a 3x nominated artist?!?! What can’t this man do?? This man is on fire.
Please do share your thoughts on this book, this movie, and the casting choices!
Aren’t the set pictures from My Policeman awesome. I can place all the images so far into context in of the book which is really exciting. The kissing outside the pub is the night Tom asks Marion to be his wife … and tells he’s never been with a woman before which is such a loud message which she registers but ignores what it actually means. Tom and Patrick shaking hands is the first time they meet which in time is well before the kissing scene timing wise. I won’t spoiler any further. But it’s super seeing the story come to life.
Also coming to mind – as the story of „My Policeman“ is set in the late 1950‘s – is the mysterious tweet of Harry‘s from March 7, 2018
http://www.mtv.com/news/3068273/harry-styles-king-princess-1950-mark-ronson/
Harry Styles.
@Harry_Styles
I love it when we play 1950.
1:07 AM · Mar 7, 2018
Officially, it was linked to the queer band „King Princess“ going on tour with him. On the other hand, the message so clearly conveys the Zarry theme of hiding the true nature of their relationship.
By the way, I find the role model of the libertarian teacher as Julia Harcourt in „My Policeman“ – and her confession of being lesbian herself (see page 277 of the paperbook) – also of great interest as a catalyst to the story.
In „My Policeman“ on Page 298 (in the paperbook Vintage Books version) – towards the end of chapter IV – regarding their stay in Venice – it states the following phrase:
Tom‘s answer was, ‚We should fly to the moon.‘
I wonder if, at the time in early 2015, Harry and Zayn have read the novel – first published in 2012 – but the quote from the book reminds me of the Zayn tweet shortly before he left 1D for good:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/64782/1ds-zayn-falls-ill-again/
— zaynmalik1D (@zaynmalik) February 20, 2015
Zayn’s most recent tweet, written three hours before the band went on stage in Perth, read: “Fly me to the moon … Please”.
@AD: What do you think?
This is a really great observation love I appreciate you sharing it with us! I wonder if they’ve both been aware of this story long before 2020? 🤔
Found this lovely trailer for My Policeman – I think it is Bethan Roberts reading/speaking about the novel with views of Brighton in-dispersed. It was based on a real life relationship that had happier ending.
My Policemen is going to be an amazing movie. The cast has been chosen with great sensitivity starting with Harry as Tom then building around him.
Just watched the video. Thank you! It’s was very sweet and I kinda teared up thinking of Harry etc.
My pleasure @Rang. It’s sweet and it’s sad. Can totally see why Harry would take the role of Tom. Story is very close to his heart.
Am I the only one who is not happy about the article regarding Harry being naked for my policeman? Harry is beautiful, and guess what, we have already seen him naked in the FL booklet. Harry was so sexualized in 1d and here we go again about it being Harry being naked,. The could’ve have made it about how they were going to try to make it realistic and not shy away from nakedness & I am sure that both actors will have to be naked. Why not focus on that. I think that focusing on Harry and his looks and body all the time above and beyond his music and/or acting, will definitely make him a big celebrity but it is going to work against being taken seriously in the industry. With regard to Zarry, it will be interesting to see if Z does anything publicly to show his displeasure/jealousy. I think it will be a good indication if they have moved beyond or if everything is still raw.
THE!SHOOTING!STARTED!!!YAYYY🥳🥳🥳So happy for Harry👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 (even though I’m crying at possibly when we’d get to hear from him as a musician again😭)
Hi AD. Great write up as always! Whats her face😂😂Like seriously. We Zarries are mad people. But on a more serious note hopefully this movie turns out to be as good as the book, even better maybe and it gets us Zarries the end result of our lives that is ofcourse H and Z being together forever. Wishful thinking hmmmm.
!! ZAYN – COMING OVER FT. CHARLIE PUTH AND THUMBLAND (OFFICIAL VIDEO) – YouTube
16/03/21 ZAYN x Ingrid Michaelson – To Begin Again | New Song 2021 – YouTube
I love a coincidence xx
Can we just imagine Z’s reaction after this 😂😂 but still there must be something ‘intriguing’ for Harry to took up the role of Tom instead of Patrick , and I’m so sad for Z he did and what he tweeted for the Grammys, he deserves it man, and for NIL people billboards are saying it’s a flop I mean are you crazy? NIL is sick!!
Harry seems like a very intelligent and dedicated person when it comes to his craft (music or acting). He is probably not taking major starring roles yet (both in Dunkirk & DWD he is not the lead) because he wants to grow as an actor before biting off a major part. He seems like someone who wants to learn things as opposed to just “striking while the iron is hot” . If Tom is seen through the other protagonists eyes, and is not the main lead, Harry probably thought that it was better for him right now so that he could study the craft of acting without being thrown center stage.
I don’t know any of the other actors for this movie… I haven’t read the book and I will not read it until i see the movie… Every time I saw a film or a series after reading the books I regretted it…
It’s good for Harry to keep himself occupied until this pandemic s…t ends… And it’s an interesting role for him to play… And I think that if he is still with Z in some way, Z knew it… if they have never talked after their “break-up” in 2018 then I think that Z must kinda flipped when he saw the announcement… Also Z is not gonna do anything about it cause it’s just a film, not real life. Now if Harry starts dating openly a guy then most probably Z will blow a gasket …
As far as Olivia sth, , that was like Fine Line “fiasco” with Z being with G all over the internet… H with O after Z dropped the album or Vibez mv with pictures from November??? Really???
IF HARRY STARTED DATING A GUY NOT ZAYN IRL💀🤣🤣🤣
Is gunna be so much fun to watch😂😂😂
I want Zayn to watch this movie so bad and I hope he will be jealous af. Maybe that will change something. I hope so. I want a Zarry Happy end. I need it.
Me too!!!!
Well I must read the book now, I am intrigued. I am with you girl, can’t wait to see Harry kissing a man. So hot! Lord have Mercy what I wouldn’t give to see Zayn’s reaction to it! I predict a major meltdown! I will read the book but when the movie comes out I’m strictly there to objectify Harry 🤣
Harry has played in three movies… and two of those roles he is plays closeted man. Sounds like NIL to Harry 😉. I too would love to see Zayn when he alone watching this. I hope Z reactions just the way Harry deserves. Oh my imagination of them reconnecting over this film, is a movie in itself. 🤞😍🙌🏼
AD do you have any thoughts about these lines in Calamity:
There are rumors we have to face
I prefer sooner than after late
I seen actors after BAFTA’s be more straight
I mean down the barrel
I hear ’em sing it’s the same carol.
given the theatrical references?
I know a lot of people were hoping for a more conventionally attractive guy but many people who read the book say that he fits the role quite well and this is apparently how he’s described in the book: “average height, mid thirties… a neat face… pinkish cheeks, wide forehead”
Secondly, David is a trained actor who went to RADA, who did Shakespeare, who has been in the industry for a long time and has tons of credits that he’s received praise for. Surely, if anything H is going to really appreciate starring opposite him and having that amazing opportunity to learn a lot and soak up as much from an older/ more experienced actor as we know H will (which is what he does with people and why he’s always shown maturity beyond his years).
What I’m really curious about is how Z is gonna feel and I’m not talking about jealousy, but the fact that he may potentally see H act out some of his real life struggles on screen. I wonder what that must feel like and if that in any way compelled H to do the project
I read a post somewhere, that what if H did the role of Tom to see things from Z’s perspective maybe, cuz their situations do seem kinda similar. Or also to maybe let Z see things from H’s perspective.
And seriously, I would sell my soul to see Zayn’s reaction. He’s gonna flip, he’ll be sooooo jealous!!
I love the what’s-her-face part!! lol..that was hilarious!
Z has the option to not watch My Policeman the same as he “apparently” didn’t watch the Grammys. His loss.
I’m waiting for my copy to arrive from Amazon. I think Harry has a hand in this film. I feel as if he actively worked to get this role and get this film made. Harry is in a place write now where a lot of books are open for him. He is going to try to delve into as many things that interest him as he can. I am surprised that he is playing Tom and not Patrick. Maybe he wants to understand that character better.
Has your copy arrived yet? Patrick is an older man (late 30’s) of average appearance with deep interest, appreciation and understanding of the arts. Tom is a very beautiful, well built and magnetic young man (early 20’s) hungry for a different life.
yes Harry is killing it on every level and i’m totally here for it! Let’s hope everything works out in the love department as well :)) as for this… the zarry parallels, the 1950’s setting, the icarus myth… yeah I have to read the book rn. Also I always enjoy your writing style and use of language sm haha ‘what’s-her-face’ tho… girl 🥴🤪🥲😂
Oh, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading this book and how emotional I felt the whole time. I would be lying if I told you that I did not picture Harry every time Tom was mentioned or described (because that’s exactly what I did). At first when I started reading, I felt (like you did) that H was casted for the wrong person but now I actually think he is just perfect for that role. Apart from the fact that Tom is described as blond, curly and handsome, I find a similarity in the way H fell for Z and the way Tom fell for Patrick. I think that H always admired Z for being “intelectual” and in the book Tom is fascinated by Patrick for the same reason.
Also I find it great that he gets to play the role of a husband in a love triangle. That way maybe Z would see another perspective.
Also I like how the story describes events from around 1950 and all I can think about is H’s tweet from the song: “I love it when we play 1950”.
Of course, the Icarus myth – my heart skipped a beat when I read that part. Personally I think that the book was known to H and Z before it was decided to become a movie and that’s why it is so special to H.
Also, there was this scene with Patrick and Tom when Patrick wanted to escape from everything and everyone and asks Tom to do it and Tom’s answer is simply: “we should fly to the moon”. I instantly thought about Z’s tweet: Fly me to the moon, please.
This comment is everything!
BYEEE THATS SO CUTE
It took me forever to get this book! I finally had to order it from Australia! It’s interesting having it told by the perspectives of the characters, and to see it unfold on screen will be so interesting, and I know Harry will be a great fit for Tom.
Yes I feel Harry will fit Tom very well. Totally in love with David Dawson’s casting as Patrick. Very intrigued to see the on-screen chemistry. Feel it will be something very special.
Halfway through the book it’s amazing reading it slowly to make it last. Think Dawson is a very good choice, can’t wait to see them both together. Couldn’t believe it reference icarus too another “coincidence“. Love the website and TTUM x
I was initially disappointed at the choice of David Dawson bec Aaron Taylor Johnson had been rumoured to be up for the role, but I’ve just read the book and David is a much better fit for Patrick, who is a sophisticated, older man.
In the book, Tom is beautiful and an object of desire for both Marion and Patrick. Him not having a POV reinforces his objectification. The book is mainly Marion’s story with some perspective from Patrick with Tom feeling a little bit like a cutout. Hopefully the movie script sheds more light on Tom.
I’ll say one thing. I hope Harry eats David’s face on-screen and Zayn’s laptop screen smashes that makes him question his life choices. Sorry not sorry lmao.
LMAO this comment is golden :’D :’D
😂 HARRY BETTER ACT HIS BUTT OFF HE BETTER GO ALL IN OR IT WONT BE WORTH IT
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I agree with you all and is loving all of your comments😆
I’m always trying to post comments on here but could never remember the password of my account. Anyway, loving all your articles, they are decidedly very informative and so well written. The tiny anecdotes that you insert are also rather entertaining and as always, I am beyond proud of Harry and cannot wait to see DWD, I try not to think about him with what’s her face. She’s gorgeous and talented and all but ugh, and like a previous comment stated I really hope it severely burns Zayn’s heart.
Did you know that the icarus myth was mentioned in the book (I didn’t read it but somebody posted a picture of a the page it was mentioned in on twitter)and harry had also worn a suit I think it was gucci that was inspiarte by the icarus myth and we all know that Zayn’s album name is icarus falls. Sorry for my bad englisch but I didn’t grew up speaking englisch
I’m sorry I somehow managed to post my comment 3 times I’m just stupid but I also wanna say maybe zayn showed the book to harry since it was written in 2012.
I read this book and one thing that stood out to me so much was Icarus and then I read a article saying that because homosexuality was illegal in 1950 “the golden icarus” was used to kinda test a man to see if he was open because it’s a sculpture of a man fully nude with wings. So I was thinking about it and a lot of artists that have come out have said they put it so obviously in their music videos or music like lil nas x had something in a video and Tyler the creator had said something in his lyrics in a couple different songs. But it wasnt until they labeled themselves as gay and pan sexual did anyone notice. Well I started thinking was Zayn’s Icarus telling us something is that why he fells NIL. Idk I’m just thinking way too much.
Very interesting!!! It would bei the reason for the name of the album… and than NIL would also make more sense!
Do you know that the icarus myth is mentioned in the book(I didn’t read it but somebody did and posted a photo of the page it was mentioned in on twitter)and harry had also worn a suit i think it was gucci that was inspiarte by the icarus myth and we all know that Zayn’s album name is icarus falls. Sorry for my english I just can speak english because I learned it in school.
Such a gorgeous book. I’m so happy that Harry is going to be in it. I’m curious if he was involved in getting the film brought into being? Knowing how he loved the book, it seems kind of magical how it’s all coming together. I agree with the others that I’d love to be a fly on the wall for Zayn’s reaction
Z is also ready ,i guess he prepare a lot of aliens,and astronomy books to distract himself.lol imagine z tweeting that he love H performance like he does for Mary j Blige or let my imagination go wild they watch H movies together
Right lol that would be nice if he tweeted anything at him at this point.
AD I wonder if Harry is doing this movie to get a response out of Zayn when he sees H on screen with another man. I know this is only a movie role but..,just asking.
Did you know that the icarus myth is mentioned in the book (i didn’t read it but somebody posted a photo of the page it was mentioned in on twitter)and harry had also worn a suit I think it was gucci that was inspiarte by the icarus myth and we all know that Zayn’s album name is icarus falls. Sorry for my english but i didn’t grow up speaking english.
Definitely will be interesting to see interviews of Harry when the movie is released, I’m sure he will reveal some things while also remaining vague as he is so good at. Do you think he slept with what’s her name? I hope not. I want to believe he read the book and then took steps to get the movie because he it resonated with him and his own life. I know it’s wrong, but I hope it burns Zayn to see Harry kiss a man if only onscreen.
Lol I like the way you think on all accounts! Agreed.
Ditto, if not burns, lights a fire under his ass to do something! But I’m not sure I want to wait that long for a Zarry moment! 😭
Harry certainly did that with Dunkirk i.e. heard about it and really wanted to be part of it so put in an audition tape. Peter Nolan said they look at thousands of auditions because they wanted to cast unknowns for certain roles and what Peter saw in Harry was his potential for truthfulness. That is such a beautiful way to describe someone.
It will. Zayn is going to lose his sh*t and I’m here for it!
😂😂😂OMG im soo ready ive been doing evil laughing for about an hour
Hahaha…. It will be a great fun. 😌😈
I’m obsessed with this book. It’s great, I’ve read it twice months ago. I can’t wait to see Harry starring in the movie! David Dawson is a great choice for me, he fits to Patrick’s character in every level.
Glad to hear from someone who has read it that David will work in this role. I had a feeling he would 🙂
Cherry totally agree with you that David Dawson is a great choice for Patrick. Have read MP multiple times and David fits how I envisage Patrick’s character visually, the vibes he can bring to the role, his maturity and also in his thoughtfulness as an actor. AD take a look at David’s show reel for 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwvIBkzopu8 and interviews re his role of Alfred in the Last Kingdom. MP has an English aesthetic and David is very capable, sensitive and able to be very real.
AD, I’ve read the book, and ***spoiler alert*** we don’t get to hear Tom’s “voice” in the story, because everything is told from Marion’s (ugh) and Patrick’s (yeay) POV. We only get to see Tom through their eyes, the eyes of the ones in love with him. I’m not sure how the script is going to bring this story to life, there are a lot of gaps or holes in the story (my opinion) precisely because we don’t get to know what Tom thinks or how he feels. I truly hope they change that in the movie. I personally love Patrick, he’s enchanted by Tom, and his POV allow us a better take on their story. So tough, that time, for queer people. I empathized a lot with Patrick’s feelings and fears – I can only imagine Tom’s side of the affair. Unfortunately, it was what it was.
Oh wow I didn’t expect that!! So we never get into Tom’s head? Interesting. Sounds like there is room for a sequel lol
The plot does not leave room for a sequel. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to spoil it too much, but I don’t want to raise your expectations either. I just hope the movie expands more on Patrick and Tom’s love affair. I believe DD has the looks for Patrick, and I hope he makes the character as charming and amusing as he “sounds” in the book.
That’s a really interesting thought. I’ve read My Policeman multiple times and am still re-reading it. Everything in MP pivots on Tom and Harry was cast first which I feel is quite significant in terms of how Tom will be portrayed and also the rest of the casting. Definitely expecting to see a lot of Tom because he is My Policeman and without him there is no story.
I find MP as a book very visual and can totally see it as a movie. It’s brim full of interactions and conversations between Tom and Marion, Tom and Patrick, Tom, Marion and Patrick and Marion and Patrick. Yes you’re “seeing” Tom through through Marion and Patrick so you don’t know Tom’s motivations. But you do know how much they both want to possess him and there is so much Tom for Harry to breathe life into.
Personally I prefer books where you’re inside someone’s head and you can follow how they are evolving and take the journey with them. But it’s super cool to have a character where you don’t know what they are thinking or feeling and you have to deduce their motivations from the various interactions and comments with other characters you’re more inside.
In Dunkirk the characters deliberately had no back stories, there is only the moment (the week/day/hour) they inhabited. Out of thousands audition tapes Peter Nolan said Harry’s came into consideration because Peter saw Harry’s potential for truthfulness. and H didn’t let Peter down. Peter said he hoped people watching Dunkirk would see the subtle realness of Harry’s performance as Alex because a lot of the things about human nature he was exploring in Dunkirk are seen in Alex’s character. The scene in the sinking trawler where Alex(H) turns on Gibson is so intense and believable.
The more I read MP, the more I feel there is so much walled up in Tom and so much of what happens is a consequence of this aspect of his nature. Because who Tom is is not spelt out in the book, Harry more freedom and scope in how he portrays Tom and interprets his internal nature. I feel H has the thoughtfulness, emotional nature, possible relevant personal experiences and natural empathy for the particular situation to let him bring Tom into the light.
I’ve read books reviews of MP with people hating on Marion and also Tom. I guess how you view it depends where you are in reading from in yourself. I actually feel for all three of them trapped by their own stories and destroyed by the mores of the time. The 40 year gap until Marion brings Tom and Patrick together again totally kills me. Can’t press no rewind. But it does seem like love can endure a lot and still be love.
I agree… I genuinely felt for both Tom and Patrick…it’s awful that the lbftq+ community ( even though I don’t think it was lbftq yet ) was treated so unfairly and imprisoned for loving who you love ( oops sorry spoiler alert )
This is gonna be so great. The movie will be ART. And also the zarries and larries going crazy is so funny. Lmao
haha yes we don’t know how to behave. It’s such a strange terrain. But I’m proud of how brave Harry is being!!
I’d love to go watch it with Zayn in a movie theatre, just to see his facial expressions lol
Yes oh God if we’re nervous about Harry kissing a man, imagine Zayn…
Z will be biting his lips raw
Oh my fucking God😂I didn’t once think of his extreme jealous nature😂😂😂 His reaction would be priceless,even if he’d be proud of Harry😂😂😂
AD since I can’t leave a comment on any of your posts from today, I’m doing so here. Like most everyone else, I think Zayn’s grammy tweet is Harry triggered. I find the use of the word confectionery interesting. For the most part confectionery is divided into two overlapping categories: sugar confections and bakers’ confections. Who do we know that used to work in a bakery? 🤔😏🤷🏻♀️
i mean someone looking at Harry, touching his arm, putting arms around him, then clothes coming off, someone touching his skin. I cannot believe Z won’t pop off lol and of course he chose that movie on purpose !!! – You want Space Cowboy, just watch me do Beauty Pages, watch me do Sledgehammer, you see that Watermelon Sugar video and Golden – forced covid separation and now a Jackpot film x I wonder what’s worse, knowing someone is touching him or seeing it on screen?
AD since I can’t leave a comment on any of your posts from today, I’m doing so here. Like most everyone else, I think Zayn’s grammy tweet is Harry triggered. I find the use of the word confectionery interesting. For the most part confectionery is divided into two overlapping categories: sugar confections and bakers’ confections. Who do we know that used to work in a bakery? 🤔😏🤷🏻♀️
I’m excited for his role, I love hated the book but reading it I knew Harry would be a perfect Tom