Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1985-07-18
- Born Place: London, England, UK
James Norton
James Geoffrey Ian Norton is a highly acclaimed English actor, born on July 18, 1985, in Lambeth, London. He spent his childhood in North Yorkshire and was educated at Ampleforth College. He then pursued a degree in Theology at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he was actively involved in student theatre, including productions with The Marlowe Society. After graduating in 2007, Norton went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, though he left six months before graduation in 2010 to take on an acting assignment.Norton has become a prominent figure in British television and film, known for his versatile performances. He first gained widespread critical attention for his chilling portrayal of the villain Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC crime drama "Happy Valley" (2014-2023), for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Simultaneously, he endeared himself to audiences as the crime-solving vicar Sidney Chambers in the ITV series "Grantchester" (2014-2019), showcasing his range from dark intensity to charming warmth. Other significant television roles include Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the BBC adaptation of "War & Peace" (2016) and Alex Godman in the organized crime drama "McMafia" (2018).In film, Norton has appeared in a variety of productions, including "An Education" (2009), "Rush" (2013), "Belle" (2013), "Mr. Jones" (2019) where he played the title role, and Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "Little Women" (2019) as John Brooke. More recently, he starred as Robert Freegard in "Rogue Agent" (2022) and played Chris Blackwell in the 2024 biographical drama "Bob Marley: One Love." He is also known for his stage work, including a highly acclaimed performance as Jude in the West End adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara's "A Little Life" in 2023, which earned him a WhatsOnStage Award for Best Performer in a Play.Norton has openly discussed living with Type 1 diabetes and has used his platform for advocacy. His personal life has also been in the public eye, including past relationships with actresses Jessie Buckley and Imogen Poots. He continues to be a sought-after actor, with upcoming projects including "House of Guinness" and "Playing Nice."
