James McArdle Biography James John McArdle born April 3, 1989 is a Scottish actor. He won the Ian Charleson Award for his portrayal of Mikhail Platonov in Platonov and was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Louis Ironson in Angels in America.
James McArdle Biography
James McArdle’s previous theatre work includes notable roles in David Hare’s adaptation of Young Chekhov’s Platanov and Ivanov at the National Theatre, for which he won the Ian Charleson Award and earned a nomination for Leading Actor at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. He also received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of James I in James I: The Key Will Keep The Lock at the National Theatre, a co-production with the National Theatre of Scotland and the Edinburgh International Festival, which featured three new plays about 15th-century Scottish kings. Other theatre credits include Macbeth at The Globe, Spur of the Moment at the Royal Court, The Heart of Robin Hood for the RSC, and a leading role in the acclaimed West End production of Chariots of Fire.
James McArdle Biography Details
| Born | James John McArdle 3 April 1989 (age 35) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About James McArdle
James John McArdle is a Scottish actor. He won the Ian Charleson Award for his role as Mikhail Platonov in Platonov and was nominated for an Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for portraying Louis Ironson in Angels in America.
- Born: 3 April 1989 (age 35 years), Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Early Life
McArdle was born in Glasgow and grew up in the Darnley neighborhood of the city. He attended St. Ninian’s High School in Giffnock and participated in the PACE Theatre Company in nearby Paisley as a child. After working as a child actor in films, McArdle, at the age of 17, made the decision to travel to London by bus to pursue professional training without informing his parents. Despite initially stumbling over his audition lines, he was accept into RADA after impressing the selectors. He left the course in 2010, and that same year, he performed in Macbeth at The Globe and starred in the summer hit Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss at the Royal Court Theatre in London. He also received praise for his role in A Month in the Country by Ivan Turgenev at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
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Career
James McArdle’s career spans various iconic roles in both theatre and television. In 2011, he played Agathon in Emperor and Galilean by Henrik Ibsen at the National Theatre and also portrayed Robin Hood in the RSC’s 2011 production of The Legend, adapted by Ella Hickson. In 2012, McArdle took on the role of Harold Abrahams in Chariots of Fire, Mike Bartlett’s stage adaptation of the film, which premiered at London’s Hampstead Theatre on May 9 and transferred to the West End on June 23, running until January 5, 2013. He went on to portray King James I of Scotland in Rona Munro’s King James I, performed at both the National Theatre and the Edinburgh International Festival in 2014.
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James McArdle Interview: ‘Theatre Will Still Be Around After TikTok Has Died’
James McArdle, the renown actor, is speaking from a Zoom call where he’s just been seen playing one of the most devious characters in his career, Miles, in the upcoming ITV1 psychological thriller Playing Nice. His portrayal of Miles has struck a nerve with viewers, depicting him as a cruel and calculating villain. In this role, McArdle departs from his usual on-screen appearances, avoiding any drastic transformations like a Cockney accent or a long wig. Instead, he presents himself in a more natural form, appearing as a handsome, bearded Glaswegian in a cozy green hoodie, quite different from the extravagant attire his character wears.
In this interview, McArdle shares his thoughts on playing such a character: “I’ve never played an out-and-out baddie before,” he admits. “There was something about the way he manipulates and gaslights that appealed to me. The way he boosts himself up – Johnny Big Balls, as we say in Scotland – the way he mocks, the way he lies.”
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James Mcardle Net Worth
There isn’t much information about James McArdle’s net worth in 2025, but here’s some information about the actor:
- James McArdle is a Scottish actor known for his roles in 71 (2014), Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), and Mary Queen of Scots (2018).
- McArdle was born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 3, 1989.