James Norton (actor)
James Geoffrey Ian Norton[1] (born 18 July 1985) is an English actor. He is best known for roles in the British television series Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace and McMafia. He earned a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015 for his performance as ex-convict Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley.
James Norton | |
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![]() Norton in 2015 | |
Born | James Geoffrey Ian Norton 18 July 1985 |
Education | Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (BA) Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2007–present |
Home town | Malton, North Yorkshire |
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Early life
Norton was born in London, the son of Lavinia Jane (Norman) and Hugh Biddulph Norton.[2] His parents were both teachers; his father, who was born in Tanzania, was a lecturer at Hull School of Art and Design.[3][4] Though originally from London, Norton's family lived in the town of Malton in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire.[5][6] Norton, who grew up at the edge of the Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire, has described his childhood as "idyllic."[7] Norton's ancestry is English, Irish, Scottish, German, Cornish, and Jewish.[8]
Education
Norton was educated at Bramcote Prep School in Scarborough until age 13 and Ampleforth College,[1][9] an independent Roman Catholic (Benedictine) boarding school in the village of Ampleforth in North Yorkshire. He did work experience at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough when he was 15.[4]
Starting in 2004, Norton read theology at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, graduating in 2007 with First Class Honours.[9] Norton received a Fitzwilliam Travel Grant to travel to Northern India, to teach and perform for schoolchildren at 16 schools.[9] He has said his studies were principally focused on Hinduism and Buddhism.[1]
Norton was a member of the Marlowe Society theatre club at Cambridge and, in 2007, he played Posthumus in a production of Cymbeline directed by Trevor Nunn for the society's centenary.[10] Norton has said that he performed in many theatre productions while at university.[11][12] Norton then attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London for three years, but left in 2010 six months before graduation to take an acting assignment.[3][13]
Career
Norton appeared as a classmate of Jenny's in the film An Education, starring Carey Mulligan, in 2009.[13] In 2010, he was an original cast member of Posh at the Royal Court Theatre.[14] At the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2010, Norton starred in That Face as Henry, an 18-year-old who has dropped out of school to care for his mentally disturbed and drug-dependent mother, played by Frances Barber. Lynne Walker of The Independent wrote of his performance: "At the centre of it all is Henry who, in James Norton's striking portrayal, is like a young caged animal".[15]
In 2011, Norton starred as Captain Stanhope in the First World War drama Journey's End.[16] The production toured the UK from March to June and transferred to the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End from July to September.[6] Norton then took the role of Geoffrey in The Lion in Winter at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket directed by Trevor Nunn, with whom Norton had worked at Cambridge in Cymbeline.[13]
In the 2012 film Cheerful Weather for the Wedding, Norton played Owen, the would-be groom of a conflicted bride.[17] He appeared in the 2013 film Rush as Formula One driver Guy Edwards. In the 2013 film Belle, he played a suitor of the title character, a mixed-race woman in 18th century English society.[18] Norton's television appearances include the Doctor Who episode "Cold War", in which he played a crewman on a Soviet submarine during the Cold War, and Death Comes to Pemberley, based on the P. D. James novel involving characters from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice caught up in a murder mystery. Norton was acclaimed for his role as Tommy Lee Royce, the villain of the hit crime drama Happy Valley. Michael Hogan of The Telegraph wrote: "...the breakout star, seen in only a few small parts before this, has been the devilishly handsome James Norton, 29, as the heinous killer Royce, whom he has played with impressive depth".[19] As the first series came to its dramatic conclusion, Norton commented, "8 million people are currently wishing me dead".[19] Norton confirmed he would be appearing in the second series of Happy Valley at the 2015 BAFTAs.[20]
Since 2014, Norton has played crime-solving vicar Sidney Chambers alongside Robson Green as Police Inspector Geordie Keating in the ITV series Grantchester, based on the novels by James Runcie.[21][22] Grantchester was his first starring role.[23] A second series was broadcast in early 2016. A third series went into production in autumn 2016, and aired in both the UK and the U.S. in late spring/early summer 2017.[24][25] A fourth series began filming in June 2018, and it was confirmed that this would be Norton's final series.[26]
He also appears in the 2014 films Northmen: A Viking Saga and Mr. Turner, a biographical drama on the life of the artist J. M. W. Turner by director Mike Leigh.[27] In 2015 Norton played Duncan Grant in the BBC Two mini-series about the Bloomsbury Group, Life in Squares.[27][28][29] In 2016, Norton appeared as Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the BBC miniseries of Andrew Davies' production of War & Peace.[3][30] The mini-series, a co-production with The Weinstein Company, allowed the cast to film in Russia.[31]
Between March and May 2016, Norton appeared in Tracy Letts’ Bug in London's West End.[32] In 2016, he appeared in "Nosedive", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.[33] Between December 2017 and February 2018 he appeared in Amy Herzog’s Belleville at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre.[34] As part of his preparation for his role in McMafia, Norton studied the Russian martial art and health system Systema.[35] In 2019, Norton portrayed John Brooke in Greta Gerwig's film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women.[36][37]
Personal life
When asked if he was religious, in the context of portraying a vicar in Grantchester, Norton said, "Obviously I have a relationship with religion, because I went to a Catholic school and studied theology. I can't call myself religious, but I'm definitely fascinated by it".[12]
In 2015, Norton was made a trustee of the Royal Theatrical Support Trust.[38] Norton has type 1 diabetes.[1][39]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | An Education | Jenny's boyfriend | |
2012 | Cheerful Weather for the Wedding | Owen | |
2013 | Rush | Guy Edwards | |
2013 | Belle | Oliver Ashford | |
2014 | Mr. Turner | Francis Willoughby | |
2014 | Bonobo | Ralph | |
2014 | Northmen: A Viking Saga | Bjorn | |
2017 | Hampstead | Philip | |
2017 | Flatliners | Jamie | |
2018 | Hero | Young Charles | Short |
2019 | Mr Jones | Gareth Jones | |
2019 | Little Women | John Brooke | |
2020 | Nowhere Special | John | |
TBA | Things Heard and Seen | Post-production | |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Inspector George Gently | James Blackstone | Episode: "Gently with Class" |
2012 | Restless | Kolia | Miniseries |
2013 | Blandings | Jimmy Belford | Episode: "Pig-hoo-o-o-o-ey" |
2013 | Doctor Who | Onegin | Episode: "Cold War" |
2013 | By Any Means | Michael Prence | Episode: "Episode 1" |
2013 | Death Comes to Pemberley | Henry Alveston | 3 episodes |
2014–2016 | Happy Valley | Tommy Lee Royce | Main role |
2014–2019 | Grantchester | Sidney Chambers | Lead Character |
2015 | Life in Squares | Young Duncan Grant | 3 episodes |
2015 | Lady Chatterley's Lover | Sir Clifford Chatterley | TV film |
2016 | War & Peace | Prince Andrei Bolkonsky | Main role |
2016 | Black Mirror | Ryan | Episode: "Nosedive" |
2016 | To Walk Invisible | Duke of Wellington | Television film |
2018–present | McMafia | Alex Godman | Main role |
2019–2020 | The Trial of Christine Keeler | Stephen Ward | Miniseries |
2021 | The Nevers | Hugo Swan | Main cast |
Video games
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2014 | Dragon Age: Inquisition | Cole (voice) |
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Cymbeline | Posthumus | Cambridge Arts Theatre (1–6 October 2007) |
2010 | Posh | Miles Richards | Royal Court Theatre, London (9 April–22 May 2010) |
2010 | That Face | Henry | Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (7–24 July 2010) |
2011 | Journey's End | Captain Stanhope | UK national tour (March–June 2011), Duke of York's Theatre, London (19 July–3 September 2011) |
2011–12 | The Lion in Winter | Geoffrey | Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London (5 November 2011 – 28 January 2012) |
2016 | Bug | Peter | Found111, London (24 March–14 May 2016) |
2017–18 | Belleville | Zack | Donmar Warehouse Theatre, London (7 December–3 February 2018) |
Awards and Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Crime Thriller Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Happy Valley | Won[40] |
2015 | British Academy Television Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Happy Valley | Nominated[41] |
2016 | Glamour Awards | Man of the Year Award | N/A | Won |
2017 | Broadcasting Press Guild Award | Best Actor | Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace | Nominated |
2017 | GQ Men Of The Year Awards | Breakthrough Actor of the Year | N/A | Won |
References
- Godwin, Richard. "The Rise of Mr. James Norton". Mr. Porter. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- "Hugh Norton & Lavinia Norton Engagement, Children, Joint Family Tree & History - FameChain". Famechain.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- Norton, Graham Norton (2 January 2016). "James Norton, Graham Norton — BBC Radio 2". BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- Williams, Andrew (1 June 2014). "'I admire Michael Fassbender enormously,' says Happy Valley's James Norton". The Sunday Express. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- "How James Norton went from killer to clergyman". The Yorkshire Post. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Hutchinson, Charles (19 May 2011). "Review: Journey's End, Leeds Grand Theatre". The Press (York). Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- Shattuck, Kathryn (9 January 2015). "Easily Channeling a Vulnerable Vicar: James Norton in 'Grantchester' on PBS 'Masterpiece'". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- "James Norton". IMDb. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- "All the world's a stage (page 13)" (PDF). Optima. Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (13): 13. Autumn 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Christiansen, Rupert (24 September 2007). "The Marlowe Society: Talent show for theatre's brightest stars". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- "James Norton". The Artists Partnership. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Merry, Elspeth (28 April 2014). "James Norton". 1883 Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Watson, Jonathan (4 November 2011). "James Norton: Joining the big league". The Stage. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Billington, Michael (16 April 2010). "'Posh' – Royal Court, London". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- Walker, Lynne (9 July 2010). "'That Face, Crucible Studio, Sheffield". The Independent. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- "Best of British: James Norton". ShortList. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- Holden, Stephen (6 December 2012). "There Will Always Be a Fantasy England: 'Cheerful Weather for the Wedding' With Elizabeth McGovern". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- Darling, Cary (21 May 2014). "Movie Review: 'Belle'". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- Hogan, Michael (3 June 2014). "Happy Valley's James Norton: '8 million people are currently wishing me dead'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- Goodacre, Kate; Jeffery, Morgan (10 May 2015). "James Norton will return to Happy Valley for series 2". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- "ITV announces the cast of new six-part drama Grantchester". ITV Press Centre. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- Debnath, Neela (20 October 2014). "Grantchester star Robson Green: 'We're going to lose James Norton quickly'". The Independent. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- "Grantchester: James Norton talks about playing heavy-drinking vicar in new detective drama". Nottingham Post. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Tartaglione, Nancy (26 November 2014). "ITV Has Faith In 'Grantchester', Orders 2nd Season Of Period Mystery Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- Hughes, Sarah (3 March 2016). "Grantchester, TV review: It took less than two minutes for James Norton to strip to his swimming trunks". The Independent. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
- "Grantchester series 4 confirmed – but it's set to be James Norton's last". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
- Fisher, Alice (5 October 2014). "Fashion: James Norton under cover". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Molloy, Antonia (18 August 2014). "New BBC drama Life in Squares to track lives of Bloomsbury Set". The Independent. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- Kelly, Guy (25 July 2015). "Life In Squares star James Norton: 'acting is a neurotic profession, I always need to get away'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
- "James Norton: 'Weirdly, I read War & Peace while filming Happy Valley!' (Video)". What’s on TV. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- Brown, Emma (14 January 2016). "The Russian Prince". Interview. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
- Shenton, Mark (12 February 2016). "Tracy Letts's Bug To Be Revived at West End's Found111 with TV Star James Norton and Kate Fleetwood". Playbill. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- "'Black Mirror' Season 3 Trailer: "No One Is This Happy'". Deadline Hollywood. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- Hetrick, Adam (13 November 2017). "James Norton and Imogen Poots Cast in Amy Herzog's Belleville at the Donmar". www.playbill.com. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
- Systema GB Intuitive Self Defence (5 January 2018), James Norton talks about Systema training for his role in McMafia, retrieved 9 January 2018
- N'Duka, Amanda (2 August 2018). "Sony's 'Little Women' Adaptation Adds 'Flatliners' Actor James Norton". Deadline Hollywood.
- James, Caryn (16 December 2019). "Why Little Women is a Triumph". BBC Online.
- "James Norton on Twitter". Twitter.
- Ross, Jonathan (30 January 2016). "Series 10 - Episode 4". The Jonathan Ross Show. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
- "Winners unmasked at Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards 2014 on ITV3". ITV. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- "BAFTA TV awards 2015: Nominations in full". BBC. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
External links
- James Norton on IMDb