James Buckley Reveals Financial Hardship During Early 'Inbetweeners' Fame

James Buckley, known for his role as Jay Cartwright in the British sitcom "The Inbetweeners," has spoken candidly about the financial difficulties he faced during the show's initial rise to popularity. Buckley revealed on his podcast, "The Buckleys," co-hosted with his wife Clair, that he was still working as a kitchen fitter when the first series aired in 2008, earning a modest £6,000 for his role.

He detailed the extent of his financial struggles, recalling instances where he lacked the funds for essential transportation. "I was literally at some points I was like, I can't afford a travel card to get to this place, right? Like I don't have any money," Buckley said. He also noted that the freebies he received, such as clothing, were not out of generosity but necessity due to his inability to purchase items himself. "All freebies, of course. All free stuff because I didn't have enough money to buy clothes, of course..."

Buckley further explained the unusual position of being a public figure without significant income. "And it's weird when you get when you first get on the television because you don't really earn any money, right? But still, you've got to be on magazines and go on talk shows and stuff like that."

He recalled a specific incident where a customer recognized him from the show after he collected a kitchen installation the day after the first episode aired, highlighting the surreal transition period.

News of "The Inbetweeners" returning to screens has recently surfaced, with a third movie reportedly in the works. Buckley is expected to reprise his role alongside co-stars Simon Bird, Blake Harrison, and Joe Thomas. The upcoming film is being produced by Netflix, sparking considerable fan speculation about the characters' futures. Buckley himself may have inadvertently offered a glimpse into his character Jay's storyline, as he was seen in a Cameo video wearing a high-vis fleece with the logo for his character's father's business, Cartwright Plant Hire. This detail has led fans to theorize whether Jay has taken over the company or is working for his father.

Speculation surrounding the revival has also included the potential return of Emily Atack's character, Charlotte Hinchcliffe. Rumors had suggested that Atack might delay her involvement due to a purported feud with Buckley, stemming from an alleged past fling and her subsequent exclusion from a reunion seven years prior.