Photography by Joseph Sinclair
Skin & Hair by Nadia Altinbas

With LGBTQ+ representation still scarce on the big screen, My Policeman’s status as one of the most anticipated – and dissected, we should add – films of the year was inevitable. (It also stars Harry Styles, very famous singer, so there’s that too.) Based on Bethan Roberts’ lauded gay novel of the same name set in 1950s Brighton, the poignant drama follows the heartwreching story of Tom (Styles), a closeted police officer who marries a schoolteacher called Marion (Emma Corrin) rather than his true love Patrick (David Dawson) due to the era’s social constraints. Also starring Linus Roache, Gina McKee and Rupert Everett as their older counterparts, respectively, My Policeman made history when the cast were announced as the collective winners of the ‘Actor Award’ at TIFF Tribute, marking the first time it was presented to an ensemble rather than an individual.

Known for various roles on-stage and in British dramas such as Ripper Street, Peaky Blinders and The Last Kingdom, Dawson’s stunning performance as the gay gallerist has been singled out for praise amongst critics with several hailing My Policeman as his mainstream breakthrough. As a gay man, Dawson tells GAY TIMES that learning about this specific moment in history was “fascinating” and gave him a “greater appreciation” of the pioneers who campaigned for LGBTQ+ equality. “There will be a lot of younger people who perhaps don’t know about this period of time in British history, so I hope it opens a lot of people’s minds,” he says. “I watched Tom Daley’s documentary, Illegal to Be Me, and that’s a prime example to remind people that around the world, things like this are still continuing to happen. It also made me feel incredibly privileged to have the freedoms and the rights that we have and been fought for and achieved over the years.”

Ahead of My Policeman’s release in cinemas and on Prime Video, we spoke with David Dawson about the film, how he and Harry Styles ensured the relationship between Patrick and Tom would be as authentic as possible and why he “absolutely” wants to take on more queer roles in future projects.

David, where are you in the world right now?

I’m in a hotel room in North London. I’m filming a series down here. I moved to Manchester so I’m living out of a bag in North London! I’ve just been reading about you, that you just interviewed all the new queens for Drag Race UK?

I did! Are you a Drag Race fan?

I’m a huge Drag Race fan, yeah. I think the only time I’ve ever been properly starstruck was when I was with some mates in The Soho Theatre bar and turned around and Jinkx Monsoon was standing there. I went up to her but I did not know what to say at all.

So when can we expect your guest appearance on Drag Race UK, then?

[Laughs] Make it happen, Sam!

We’ll @ RuPaul on Twitter and we’ll make it happen.

Actually, I can now technically say I worked with RuPaul Charles. I did a beautiful animated movie earlier in the year, and I think it’s coming out at Christmas – and we’re both in it! I never got to meet Mama Ru, but I can say I worked with her at least.