As dishy vicar, Sidney Chambers, James Norton helped make Grantchester a hit with viewers. But he's proved popular in other TV roles, too — as homicidal psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in gritty drama Happy Valley, as dashing Russian Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the epic period drama adaptation War & Peace and as Alex Godman — the son of a mobster in McMafia. It's an eclectic mix of roles that James Norton has handled with ease. He's also been tipped (along with many actors) as one to watch to be the next James Bond replacing Daniel Craig. Plus he appeared in the 2024 movie Bob Marley: One Love.
Here's our guide to the actor...
His parents are teachers...
James's middle names are Geoffrey and Ian, and he's the son of two teachers, Lavinia and Hugh. The family then moved to Malton in rural North Yorkshire, which James describes as "idyllic".
He was taught by Benedictine monks at school
James went to Ampleforth College, a Roman Catholic boarding school in Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, and then studied theology at Fitzwilliam College at the University of Cambridge, graduating with First Class Honours.
He was taught by Benedictine monks at school and studied various religions while doing his theology degree, so playing vicar Sidney Chambers in Grantchester, alongside co-star Robson Green, was something that appealed he once said. "Part of the reason I love Grantchester is that it's a show in which the hero is a man of faith. He's just a very normal young man.”
He has type 1 diabetes
The actor has type 1 diabetes, diagnosed in 2010. He's aiming to help children learn about diabetes by reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story, which is airing on CBeebies at 6.50 pm on Friday, June 14, 2024. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
James is reading "How to Manage a Mammoth", written by Dr Rose Stewart and illustrated by Richard Dwyer. It tells the story of eight-year-old Jake who is learning to live with his diabetes which he imagines is a mammoth called Mel. Jake and his Mum join forces with their friends to work out how to shrink Mel the diabetes mammoth to a manageable size.
Talking about his diabetes and imagining it as an animal, James says: "My diabetes animal is a big shaggy dog called Bruce. When I first got Bruce, he was a puppy. He was difficult to control because he was always overexcited. Now, he's a bit older and calmer.
"He still gets scared when someone's at the door or he's hungry. And then he barks very loudly. Or when he gets excited, he still runs around and knocks things over. But generally, he strolls along by my side. Bruce is my pal. I'm pleased to say that today Bruce is under control and very calm, which makes me feel very happy and relaxed.”
James started acting at four
James has wanted to act ever since he played Joseph in a school nativity play at the age of four. He did work experience at a theater in Scarborough, joined the Marlowe Society Theatre Club while he was at Cambridge University and then studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Happy Valley was his breakthrough role
James wowed audiences playing Tommy Lee Royce (above) in Sally Wainwright's crime drama Happy Valley. He most recently played the character again in Happy Valley season 3. Talking about getting into Tommy's headspace for series 3, he said: "It's been challenging because by his nature he lives in a very different space to me and most people I know. He lives on that kind of fringe of humanity and as a result, it’s one of the more challenging roles I've had.
"But I did a lot of work looking into psychopathy and was introduced to some behavioral psychologists and criminal psychologists who were wonderfully helpful in excavating Tommy and the mindset he has."
He loves the great outdoors
Growing up in the countryside, James doesn't like to be indoors too much and he's always out and about riding his bike, swimming outdoors or heading off into the country to go rambling.
James Norton's fact file
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the star...
How old is James Norton?
James Norton is 38. He was born on July 18, 1985.
Is James Norton married?
No. James is reportedly single.
Where was James Norton born?
James Norton was born in Lambeth, London.
How tall is James Norton?
James Norton is 1.85 meters tall.
