James Norton Biography – James Geoffrey Ian Norton born 18 July 1985 is an English actor known for his roles in film, television, and stage productions. He is recognized for his performances in television series such as Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace, and McMafia. Notably, he portrayed the lead role in the 2019 film Mr. Jones. Norton’s portrayal of Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley earned him a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015.
James Norton Biography 2024
James Norton, born in 1985 to two teachers, grew up with a younger sister who is a doctor. His early passion for acting became apparent when he played Joseph in his primary school nativity play at the age of five. After attending Ampleforth College, he gained valuable work experience at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. Instead of immediately pursuing an acting career, Norton opted to study theology at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. It was during a trip to Nepal that he developed an interest in Buddhism.
After completing his studies, Norton enrolled at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in London, graduating in 2010. Just before finishing his training, he landed a minor role as Carey Mulligan’s boyfriend in the final scene of An Education. In 2011, he appeared on the London stage in revivals of Journey’s End and The Lion in Winter, performing alongside Joanna Lumley and Robert Lindsay.
James Norton Biography 2024 Details
| Born | James Geoffrey Ian Norton 18 July 1985 (age 39) Lambeth, London, England |
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| Education | Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (BA)
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
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| Occupation | Actor |
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| Years active | 2007–present |
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| Category | Singers Bio |
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James Norton Latest News
James Norton’s range as an actor is truly remarkable, with the ability to move seamlessly from portraying one of the most chilling TV villains of the last decade to embodying a pioneering scientist responsible for a landmark breakthrough in medical history. After his haunting performance as Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, which gripped the nation, Norton continued to showcase his versatility with a celebrated stage role in A Little Life and a key performance in the upcoming Bob Marley biopic One Love.
Now, he takes on a new challenge in the Netflix original film Joy, where he plays Robert Edwards, one of the scientists who helped develop the groundbreaking process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the 1960s and 70s. In Joy, Norton’s character faces significant opposition from the press, the Church, and even fellow scientists, highlighting the perseverance and determination required to achieve such a monumental medical achievement. This role further solidifies Norton’s reputation as a versatile actor who can shift effortlessly between diverse and complex roles.
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About James Norton
James Geoffrey Ian Norton is an English film, television, and stage actor. He is known for roles in the television series Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace and McMafia. He played the title role in the 2019 film Mr. Jones.
- Born: 18 July 1985 (age 39 years), Lambeth, London, United Kingdom
- Parents: Hugh B Norton, Lavinia J Norton
- Siblings: Jessica Norton
- Height: 1.85 m
- Education: Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (BA); Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Early Life and Education
Norton was born in Lambeth, London, to Hugh Biddulph Norton and Lavinia Jane Norman. Both of his parents were teachers, with his father, originally from Tanzania, serving as a lecturer at Hull School of Art and Design. Although his family hailed from London, they lived in Malton, North Yorkshire, where Norton spent much of his childhood. He has described his upbringing, particularly in the scenic Howardian Hills, as “idyllic.”
Norton’s grandfather, Ian Norton MBE, worked as a colonial official in Tanganyika and was the son of Hugh Ross Norton OBE, Archdeacon of Sudbury. His maternal family, the Biddulphs, were part of an Irish landed gentry lineage. For his education, Norton attended Bramcote Prep School in Scarborough before moving on to Ampleforth College, an independent Roman Catholic boarding school in North Yorkshire. At the age of 15, he gained experience working at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.
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Career
James Norton’s acting career began with notable stage roles. In 2009, he appeared as a classmate of Carey Mulligan’s character in An Education. He then joined the original cast of Posh at the Royal Court Theatre in 2010. Later that year, he starred as Henry in That Face at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, where his performance as a young man caring for his troubled mother was described as “striking” by The Independent. In 2011, Norton took on the role of Captain Stanhope in the World War I drama Journey’s End, which toured the UK and later transferred to London’s West End.
In film, Norton appeared in Cheerful Weather for the Wedding (2012) as Owen, the conflicted groom, and in Rush (2013) as Formula 1 driver Guy Edwards. That same year, he portrayed a suitor in the period drama Belle. Norton’s TV career included roles in Doctor Who (2013) and the adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley (2013). However, it was his performance as Tommy Lee Royce in the hit series Happy Valley that garnered him widespread recognition, with The Telegraph praising him as a breakout star.
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Personal Life
Norton has spoken about his fascination with religion, stemming from his Catholic schooling and studies in theology, though he does not consider himself religious. He is a trustee of the Royal Theatrical Support Trust and has lived with type 1 diabetes. He was previously in a relationship with actress Jessie Buckley from 2015 to 2017. From 2018 until late 2023, he was engaged to actress Imogen Poots, though they broke up before Christmas.
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James Norton’s net worth
James Norton’s net worth is estimated to vary depending on the source. Idol Net Worth puts his wealth at approximately £4.9 million ($6 million), while All Famous Birthday estimates it at £4.1 million ($5 million), and Celebrity Net Worth suggests a figure closer to £827,000 ($1 million). Norton’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, which earned him a BAFTA TV nomination in 2015 and significantly boosted his career. Before that, he had smaller roles in projects like An Education, Inspector George Gently, Doctor Who, and Blandings, which helped lay the foundation for his increasing net worth.
