James Buckley: Struggled to Find Purpose Post-Inbetweeners

has revealed he 'struggled to find a goal' after leaving The Inbetweeners as he confessed he 'felt semi-retired' after the series ended.

The actor, 38, is best known for his role as Jay Cartwright in the E4 sitcom, but has now shared how he feared his career would be over when the series wrapped with a second film in 2014.

Speaking in a new interview, James said that he's 'still trying to find' a new goal after ending his work on The Inbetweeners.

While he has acted in a handful of roles, James has also become the highest earning star on video message site Cameo, as well as presenting a podcast and channel with his wife Clair.

Referring to The Inbetweeners as his 'first love,' James said: 'I don't really have a goal anymore, which I generally think is quite a dangerous thing.'

'I do think you need something in your life to work towards. And I'm struggling, personally, to find out what that is.'

James went on to tell The i Paper that he 'keeps himself busy' since stepping away from acting, adding: 'I potter about, really.'

Despite his Inbetweeners success, James said he's always found the fame that came with the show 'uncomfortable,' adding: 'Getting statues for vomiting over each other or jumping up and down on a car, it’s not necessary. When you’re an actor, you’re just turning up and mucking about.'

James had previously spoken about The Inbetweeners' return after the show's creators revealed they are working on new material.

While there have been talks of bringing the show's iconic quartet back together for a new project, James insisted he hasn't been approached to revive his character. 

He did, however, claim that The Inbetweeners' crass style of comedy is what's needed in this day and age.  

James explained: 'I think the temperature at the moment is that people would like an Inbetweeners. It would release some sort of pressure... Just make sure we keep all that silly, disgusting humour. That’s what I assume people would want.

'I think we are coming back to having a laugh again. It was cool for a while to take everything very seriously and to take things the wrong way — when you just know they are not intended to be taken that way, but you do it anyway because you might get some attention.'

He added to The Sun: 'I think we have decided that’s not cool any more. If you were going to say, "I am going to bring a mate to the pub. You’re going to love him — he gets offended by everything," they would be, "I’d rather not, to be honest."'

Back in October, The Inbetweeners' creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley confirmed that plans are underway to bring back the iconic characters for a fresh chapter, after signing a deal with production giant Banijay UK.

'It's incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends),' they said in a statement.

It is thought the project could involve a new TV run, a film, or even a stage adaptation, with talks already underway about how to reboot the cult favourite.

Banijay's chief executive, Patrick Holland, told The Sun he was 'delighted to pick up the conversation about the future of The Inbetweeners with them'.

He added: 'They have an infectious creative vision for the brand which will resonate with audiences old and new.'

The company said the deal 'unlocks the rights and potential to bring The Inbetweeners back for new audiences across a range of platforms including film, tv and stage'. 

Joe revealed previously that the cast were eager to return. 

He said the group had stayed close friends and would 'jump at the chance' to work together again.

Speaking to a podcast he said: 'We're all still around. We're all still in each other's lives. We all still like each other.

'And if it was something that came up, I think we would want to do it.'

Also tipped to return is Emily Atack, who played fan-favourite Charlotte Hinchcliffe.

If the deal goes ahead, the reboot would mark the first time in more than a decade that the full cast have reunited on screen.