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Five years ago, Jack O'Connell was best known as Cook. Teenage girls across the UK recognised him as the scruffily handsome, womanising, drug-dealer schoolboy from E4's hit drama Skins. Fast-forward to 2014 and he's one of the country's most promising young stars.

Critics started to take notice following his stellar performance in last year's Starred Up, which earned him Dublin and Les Arcs Film Festival awards for Best Actor, and a nomination at the British Independent Film Awards. But it's his next two releases that are set to make Jack O'Connell a household name.

In cinemas now is the first of the actor's 2014 blockbusters, '71. Directed by Yann Demange, it follows young British soldier Gary as he is sent to help with peacekeeping in Belfast during the height of the Troubles. When he accidentally becomes separated from his regiment during a riot, Gary is challenged to survive a disorientating and dangerous night behind enemy lines.

"When I read the script, I became enthused by the political connotations in the story," he tells Bazaar. "I liked that it wasn't trying to glorify anything or take sides. It felt like we had something integral and honest."

Jack O'Connell as Gary Hook in '71

O'Connell's performance is flawless. Years of playing the tough guy have paid off and it's clearly what he does best. But he knows it's near impossible to enter the "serious actor" category with only one string to his bow. "I'd never be satisfied if I forged a career playing the hard nut," he admits.

The second release of 2014 will prove he has what it takes to break this bad-boy mould. Unbroken tells the story of the American athlete turned World War II hero Louis Zamperini and, if the trailer is anything to go by, it's O'Connell's greatest performance to date. But, most promising perhaps is the fact that Unbroken is directed by Angelina Jolie – for hers is a seal of approval that won't go unnoticed. So, how did this young lad from Derby approach working with one of the industry's most influential stars?

"I knew that the more I acknowledged that stereotype, the less we'd get done, and the less confident I'd feel in the end. I imagine that's something Angie has had to get used to – people speaking to the superstar rather than the person. She engaged with me on a personal level, so that's what I tried to concentrate on," he says. "But, don't get me wrong, there were several occasions when I didn't really listen to what she was saying because I was distracted by her beauty."

When we mention that his performance in Unbroken is tipped for an Oscar nomination, O'Connell is pleased but composed. It's something he has prepared for. "When I started acting, I was stupid enough to convince myself that I would be getting awards one day. I didn't acknowledge the reality of it, I just thought: 'Right, this is what I'm doing and I want to be the best at it.' I was naive enough to believe it would be easy."

Being nominated is one thing, winning is another; but what about the fame that comes with becoming a Hollywood star? "I don't know how you ready yourself for that, because I don't really know what to expect," he says. "The experiences I got from Skins, the hysteria, gave me a very small insight and an idea of what to avoid. I guess what I have in my favour is good people around me, who will be here and support me, no matter what."

After 10 years of "doing it the hard way", O'Connell is proud to be where he is now. "If you've got to sleep on a few park benches along the way – it's served me well. The important thing is to stay focused on what you're doing. Think about what gets you up in the morning, and know exactly what impact you want to have on the industry."

'71 is in cinemas now and Unbroken is in cinemas from 26 December

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