As an actor, Jack Binstead played Rem Dogg in the original cast of Bad Education alongside Jack Whitehall as Alfie Wickers, also playing Rem Dogg for The Bad Education Movie, before reuniting last year for the Bad Education Reunion Special where he reprised his role. Jack voiced Delgado in Disney’s 101 Dalmatian Street and, in February this year, he started his own production company with his friend Andy Mills, with ideas for a number of future projects. Alongside acting, Jack also plays pool, and in 2022, he represented England at the World Blackball Championships, and he is currently training for a national event in July, and is hoping to compete at the European Championships in Malta later this year. We chatted to Jack about playing Rem Dogg in Bad Education, reuniting with the cast for the Bad Education Reunion Special last year and his time so far as a competitive pool player.
You were in the original cast of Bad Education from 2012 as Rem Dogg, can you tell us about your character and what was he like to play?
Rem Dogg was such a fun character to portray. Being the same age as the character I definitely felt I related to parts of his personality and the way he acted. He made a lot of people laugh and I love that we used his wheelchair to generate laughter wherever he went.
What was it like being part of the cast, which included Jack Whitehall as Alfie Wickers, and do you remember how it felt seeing the success of the show?
Bad Education was very much my first time being heavily involved in a series, so naturally I lapped all of that up and tried to be part of the group as much as possible whilst having to also go through my education and compete for Team GB in athletics, so it was a hectic time in my life. The show took off far greater than I ever believed it would and suddenly I had people coming up to me wherever I went asking for selfies and signatures, which I learnt to enjoy.
How was the experience working on The Bad Education Movie and attending the film’s premiere?
The movie was a completely different kettle of fish. Being away with everyone for four months and living out of hotels and being away from friends and family was definitely an adventure. We laughed from start to finish and I quite enjoyed being on locations more rather than just being in a studio.
The premiere was a complete dream. It was always a dream to be on the red carpet mingling with people that I spent hours of my time watching on TV myself. I wish I could still fit into my Ted Baker suit but I’m afraid it’s a good few sizes too small nowadays.
What are some of your favourite memories from playing Rem Dogg in the first three series and film?
I think my favourite memory was filming a deleted scene from Series 1 where Rem Dogg threatens to jump off a low roof and Alfie Wickers has to catch him and becomes the hero in front of Miss Gulliver. He, of course, misses and Rem Dogg front flips into a skip. Of course it wasn’t myself who did the flip but I did have to sit in my chair on a table and pretend. There were so many great laughs from Class Wars to the school trip. The house party from the movie was a great few nights filming also. Very tired and very cold but the Nando’s truck delivery definitely perked us up.
How was it reuniting with the cast for the 2022 Bad Education Reunion Special and reprising your role?
Reuniting with the class for the reunion was very special. I’d taken some time away from the screen after becoming a dad so it was really fun coming back and continuing from where we left off. I really enjoyed our characters new lives and seeing who we have all become. Once again, it was total laughter from start to finish like nothing had changed.
You voiced the role of Delgado in the Disney animated series 101 Dalmatian Street, what was this like?
Voice acting for 101 Dalmatian Street was really fun. It was my first time voice acting and unfortunately it wasn’t a very long shoot. I would have really enjoyed more time in the studio. It’s definitely a strange experience seeing a cartoon dog whizzing around and hearing my voice go with it.
Do you have a favourite aspect of working on screen and voiceover?
I definitely prefer acting in person but doing voiceover work was a great change. I would happily do either again but there’s a lot more that comes with being on set with your peers and physically acting out scenes and the direction that comes with that, which adds to the jokes or the scene itself.
Where does your love of acting come from and was it something you always wanted to do?
Acting wasn’t something I had really considered until Louise Dyson reached out to me around the age of 11 years old. I was heavily involved in my junior athletics career and hoped for a future in athletics, but once I had a taste for the acting life, I knew that was what I wanted to do.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
My go-to film has always been Ben Affleck as Daredevil in the early 2000s movie. Always enjoyed seeing a disabled superhero. I like a lot of horrors and thrillers. I like a series that makes me think and keeps me on the edge of my chair. I’m currently binge-watching Manifest before the new series comes out this year.
As a pool player, you competed at last year’s World Blackball Championships, how did it feel finding out you’d be representing England at the competition?
This whole part of my life came out of nowhere and I went from only competing locally to competing for England internationally in about six months. I felt insanely proud to be wearing an England kit and also to come out of the tournament having performed greater than I thought I would with all the pressure. So many great friends from around the world were made and I look forward to hopefully competing at the same high level as time goes by.
How was your time at the competition and what was it like attending the opening ceremony?
It was a really surreal experience and everyone was so lovely. The opening ceremony was a great experience, lining the streets in all our kits. I was the only wheelchair pool player to attend the ceremony because of access so that was also a great feeling.
How did you get into the sport and what are some of your stand-out highlights from your pool career so far?
I’ve been playing pool for about five years now but I’m only now on my first full year on the circuit. I had a great comeback win earlier this year against a previous multiple world champion on the national circuit and whilst I didn’t compete very well at my last international event in March 2023, I did manage to beat another previous world champion then too.
Do you have any upcoming competitions you are working towards?
I have a national event in July which I’m training for and then potentially the European Championships in Malta in November.
You run a successful TikTok account, what is it like interacting with your followers and can you tell us about your content?
I struggle on TikTok coming up with new content ideas so, like a lot of people, I spend most of my time watching other people’s videos and interacting. I should probably take some time to plan some new content for 2023 and grow my account further. Just waiting on the viral idea.
How do you like to spend your time away from acting and pool?
I absolutely love every minute spent with my daughter Daisy. We have a special bond and always have a good time. I enjoy going out and socialising. Getting tattooed. Trying new food places.
Have you got any future acting projects coming up that you can talk about and what are you hoping 2023 brings for you?
I started my own production company in February 2023 with my best mate Andy Mills, so we have a lot of cool ideas that we wish to produce ourselves and some of which will feature me. Ideally we would like to travel around America as wheelchair users documenting all that the individual states have to offer. Watch this space…
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