James Norton Biography
James Norton is an English film, television, and stage actor known for his roles in Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace, and McMafia. He won a 2015 British Academy Television Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in Happy Valley.
James Norton Age
Norton was born on July 18, 1985, in Lambeth, London, England. He is 39 years old as of 2024. Norton celebrates his birthday on July 18th.
James Norton Height
Norton stands at an approximate height of 6 feet and 1 inch.
James Norton Family
Norton was born to Hugh Biddulph Norton and Lavinia Jane Norman. Both his parents worked as teachers. His father, Hugh, was born in Tanzania and taught at the Hull School of Art and Design. Even though his family is originally from London, his family lived in Malton in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire. He was raised at the edge of the Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire, describing this experience as idyllic. He has a sister named Jessica.
Ian Norton MBE, his grandfather, was born in 1923 and passed away in 2003 at the age of 80. He worked as a colonial official in Tanganyika. Ian’s father was Hugh Ross Norton OBE who worked as the Archdeacon of Sudbury from 1945 to 1962. Jean, Ian’s wife, was born in 1923 and passed away in 2016 at the age of 93. She was the child of Colonel Francis John Biddulph, of the Royal Engineers.
James Norton Girlfriend/Dating
Norton is very private about his personal life, so it is not known if he is in a relationship. He previously dated actress Imogen Poots from 2018 until they broke up before Christmas 2023. Before their split, he proposed to her in 2022. He was in a relationship with actress Jessie Buckley between 2015 and 2017 before he dated Imogen.
In 2015, Norton joined the Royal Theatrical Support Trust as a trustee. Further, he has type 1 diabetes. When questioned about his stance on religion, he said that he had a relationship with religion, having gone to a Catholic school and studying theology. However, he mentioned that he couldn’t call himself religious but had a fascination for it.
James Norton Net Worth
Norton has an estimated net worth of between $1 Million-$5 Million which he has earned through his successful career as an actor.
James Norton Education
Norton studied at Bramcote Prep School (Scarborough College) in Scarborough till he turned 13. He also studied at Ampleforth College in the village of Ampleforth in North Yorkshire. At the age of 15, he gained experience working at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.
Since 2004, Norton studied theology at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He graduated from the school in 2007 with First Class Honors. The school granted him a travel grant, enabling him to go to India to teach and perform for schoolchildren at 16 schools. He mentioned that his studies were mainly concentrated on Hinduism and Buddhism.
While in Cambridge, Norton was a member of The Marlowe Society theatre club. In 2007, he played the role of Posthumus in a production of Cymbeline. He mentioned that he did numerous theatre productions while at university. Next, he joined the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he stayed for 3 years before leaving in 2010, six months before graduation for an acting assignment.
James Norton Happy Valley
Norton starred as Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley from 2014 to 2023. Tommy is a psychopath with violent, charming, cunning, and manipulative traits. Lacking empathy, he has done crimes such as kidnapping, rape, and murder. Further, he regularly justifies his actions through a warped sense of loyalty and self-preservation. He won a 2015 British Academy Television Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in Happy Valley.
James Norton Grantchester/Depature From the Show
Norton starred as Sidney Chambers in Grantchester from 2014 to 2019. Sidney is an Anglican vicar at St. Andrew and St. Mary Church. A former Scots Guards officer, he uses his sharp intuition and moral compass to resolve crimes with Detective Inspector Geordie Keating(played by Robson Green).
Sidney is an Anglican vicar and a former Scots Guards officer who uses his keen intuition and moral compass to solve crimes alongside Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, played by Robson Green. Their partnership is reminiscent of the classic detective duo, blending elements of mystery with deeper explorations of faith, morality, and human relationships.
Norton left the series because he felt that his character had reached a natural conclusion and saw no need to unnecessarily extend the character’s storyline. Additionally, he said that it would be more beneficial for the show to introduce a new character or fresh storylines and perspectives.
James Norton War & Peace
Norton starred as Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in War & Peace in 2016. The son of Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky and the brother of Princess Marya Bolkonskaya, Prince Andrei is vexed with the one-dimensional society and pursues a higher purpose.
James Norton McMafia
Norton starred as Alex Godman in McMafia in 2018. Alex is the son of a Russian mafia boss trying to separate himself from his family’s criminal legacy. Even though he is a successful banker in London, he is pulled into modern organized crime after the murder of his Uncle Boris.
James Norton James Bond
Norton has been named among actors like Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Richard Madden, Henry Golding, and Jamie Dornan as the next 007 after Daniel Craig. When questioned about whether he had been asked to take the role, he refuted, stating that there had been no conversations or tests involving him for the role.
James Norton A Little Life
Norton starred in the stage adaptation of A Little Life directed by Ivo van Hove. He plays the role of Jude St. Francis, a brilliant lawyer whose life is filled with complex trauma including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Norton mentioned that the nude scenes in the play are crucial to telling the story authentically even though it’s uncomfortable. Further, he said that playing the role has pushed him to emotionally and psychologically disturbing places, citing it as one of the most challenging roles he has ever done.
James Norton Career
Norton starred as Jenn’s classmate in An Education opposite Carey Mulligan in 2009. The following year, he joined the cast of Posh at the Royal Court Theatre. That same year, he starred in That Face at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. In the play, he portrayed Henry, an 18-year-old school dropout taking care of his mentally unstable and drug-addicted mother.
In 2011, Norton played the role of Captain Stanhope in Journey’s End. The production toured the UK from March to June, transferring to the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End from July to September. He then starred as Geoffrey in The Lion in Winter at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. The following year, he starred as Owen in Cheerful Weather for the Wedding.
In 2013, Norton starred as Formula 1 driver Guy Edwards in Rush. That same year, he starred as Belle’s suitor in Belle. On TV, he has starred in the Doctor Who episode “Cold War” as a crewman on a Soviet submarine during the Cold War. He also appeared in Death Comes to Pemberley. He received praise for his portrayal of Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley. During the BAFTAs in 2015, he revealed that he would star in SN 2 of Happy Valley.
2014 to present;
Between 2014 and 2018, Norton starred as Sidney Chambers opposite Robson Green in ITV’s Grantchester. He starred in the film all the way to its 4th series, marking his last appearance in the series. In 2014, he also starred in Northmen: A Viking Saga and Mr. Turner. The following year, he starred as Duncan Grant in BBC’s Life in Squares. In 2016, he starred as Andrei Bolkonsky in BBC’s War & Peace.
From March to May 2016, Norton starred in Tracy Letts’ Bug in London’s West End. That same year, he starred in the Black Mirror episode dubbed Nosedive. He appeared in Amy Herzog’s Belleville at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre. While preparing for his role in McMafia, he studied Russian martial arts and Systema, a health system. In 2019, he starred as John Brokke in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women. In 2024, Radio Times ranked him 31st on its TV 100 power list. He is scheduled to star in King and Conqueror as Harold Godwinson and House of Guinness.
James Norton Movies and TV Shows
Norton has acted in several movies and TV shows during his career such as
- Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
- Rush
- Mr. Turner
- Hampstead
- Flatliners
- Nowhere Special
- Things Heard & Seen
- By Any Means
- Rogue Agent
- Lady Chatterley’s Lover
- Ex-Husbands
- To Walk Invisible
- The Trial of Christine Keeler
- A Little Life
- The Nevers
- Playing Nice
- Bob Marley: One Love
- Joy
James Norton Social Media Platforms
He is active on his social media accounts and often posts on his Instagram and Twitter. He has over 530K followers on Instagram and over 107K on Twitter.