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Theo James

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Theo James
James in 2014
Born
Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis

(1984-12-16) 16 December 1984 (age 39)
High Wycombe, England
Alma mater
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2018)​
Children2

Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis (born 16 December 1984), known professionally as Theo James, is an English actor. He gained recognition for playing Tobias Eaton in The Divergent Series film trilogy (2014–2016). He has starred in the horror films Underworld: Awakening (2012) and Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) and the science fiction film Archive (2020).

In television, he appeared in the short-lived CBS crime drama series Golden Boy (2013), the romance series The Time Traveler's Wife (2022), and the dark comedy series The White Lotus (2022), which earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2024, he played the lead role in Guy Ritchie's action comedy series The Gentlemen.

Early life

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James was born on 16 December 1984 in High Wycombe.[1][2] He is the son of Philip Taptiklis, a business consultant, and Jane (née Martin), who worked for the National Health Service.[3][4][5] His grandfather was a Greek refugee who fled to Syria during WWII.[6][7][8] He is also of part Scottish descent.[9] He has two older brothers and two older sisters.[9][10]

James was raised in Askett.[11] He attended Aylesbury Grammar School,[12] and earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Nottingham. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.[13][14]

Career

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In 2010 James made his television debut in two episodes of A Passionate Woman.[14][15] The same year he played Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk in an episode of the first season of Downton Abbey.[16] His film credits include You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010). James was cast in Stranger while still in his final year at drama school. He was named a "Star of Tomorrow" in 2009 by Screen International.[17]

In 2011 James starred in the short-lived horror series Bedlam, playing the lead role of Jed Harper. That same year, he also played James, an obnoxious night club rep, in the British comedy The Inbetweeners Movie (2011). In 2012 James appeared in the miniseries Room at the Top as Jack Wales and ITV's Case Sensitive as Aiden Harper.[18] He was in the films The Domino Effect (2012) and Underworld: Awakening (2012), playing the role of David in the latter opposite Kate Beckinsale.[19] He reprised his character David in the fifth Underworld film, as the film's male lead.[20][21] James starred as Detective Walter William Clark Jr. in the American crime-drama series Golden Boy (2013), which aired for one season.[22]

Theo James at Divergent premiere 2014

James' breakthrough role was his portrayal of Tobias "Four" Eaton in Divergent (2014), a film adaptation of Veronica Roth's novel of the same name.[23] He reprised the character in the sequel, The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015).[24] He returned in one more Divergent film, The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016). James performed his own stunts in the film series.[25]

James starred alongside Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton and Jim Sturgess in the film adaptation of London Fields,[26] and in the indie drama The Benefactor (2015), with Richard Gere and Dakota Fanning.[27][28] James executive produced and starred as Michael in Backstabbing for Beginners (2018). He starred as Will Younger in the Netflix film How It Ends (2018). In 2019 James executive produced and played Sidney Parker in the British series Sanditon as a male lead. It is an eight-part period-drama adaptation of Jane Austen's final novel, written only months before her death in 1817. James did not reprise his role for the series' second and third seasons. He then executive produced and starred in the film Lying and Stealing. James launched his own film and TV production company, named Untapped, that same year.[29]

James produced and appeared in the 2020 science fiction film Archive, playing a robotics scientist working on a secret project involving building a prototype based on his dead wife.[30] He starred in the romance series The Time Traveler's Wife, which premiered in May 2022. The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Han described James's portrayal of the titular time traveler "dashing and a little sardonic" and highlighted his and co-star Rose Leslie's "inability to generate any real sparks between them".[31] James played a series regular role in the second season of the satire series The White Lotus.[32]

In 2024 he starred as Edward "Eddie" Horniman, Duke of Halstead, alongside Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, and Ray Winstone, in the Guy Ritchie television series The Gentlemen, released on Netflix.[33]

Personal life

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James is married to Irish actress Ruth Kearney. The two met at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.[34] They have two children. The family divide their time between Venice Beach, California and North London.[1][35]

Outside his acting career, James was the singer and guitarist of the London-based band Shere Khan, which disbanded in 2012.[36] In 2015, he became the brand ambassador for Hugo Boss fragrances for men, appearing in print ads and commercials.[37]

In June 2016, James travelled to Greece with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, where he met Syrian refugees and learned more about their situation.[38] He has since been a supporter of refugees' rights and called for greater humanitarian aid for people displaced by the Syrian Civil War.[39][40][41]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Ray
2011 The Inbetweeners Movie James
2012 Underworld: Awakening David
2014 Divergent Tobias "Four" Eaton
2015 The Divergent Series: Insurgent
The Benefactor Luke [27]
2016 War on Everyone Lord James Mangan
The Divergent Series: Allegiant Tobias "Four" Eaton
Underworld: Blood Wars David
The Secret Scripture Father Gaunt
2018 Backstabbing for Beginners Michael Also executive producer
Zoe Ash
How It Ends Will Younger
London Fields Guy Clinch
2019 Lying and Stealing Ivan Also executive producer
2020 Archive George Almore Also producer
2021 The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf Vesemir Voice role[42]
2022 Dual Robert Michaels
Mr. Malcolm's List Henry Ossory
2025 The Monkey Hal / Bill Post-production
TBA Fuze TBA Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 A Passionate Woman Alex "Craze" Crazenovski
Downton Abbey Kemal Pamuk 1 episode
2011 Bedlam Jed Harper 6 episodes
2012 Case Sensitive Aidan Harper 2 episodes
Room at the Top Jack Wales
2013 Golden Boy Walter William Clark Jr. Lead role
2018–2021 Castlevania Hector (voice) Main role; 19 episodes (seasons 2–4)
2019 Sanditon Sidney Parker Main role (season 1); also executive producer
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Rek'yr (voice) Recurring role
The Witcher Young Vesemir (voice) 1 episode
2022 The Time Traveler's Wife Henry DeTamble Main role
The White Lotus Cameron Sullivan Main role (season 2)
2024 The Gentlemen Eddie Horniman Main role
X-Men '97 Bastion (voice) 4 episodes

Theater

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Year Title Role Notes
2017 Sex with Strangers Ethan Hampstead Theatre
2020 City of Angels Stone Garrick Theatre

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominated work Award Result
2014 Divergent Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action Won
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Breakout Star Won
Young Hollywood Award for Fan Favourite Actor - Male Nominated
Young Hollywood Award for Best On-Screen Couple (with Shailene Woodley) Nominated
2015 People's Choice Awards for Favorite Movie Duo (with Shailene Woodley) Won
The Divergent Series: Insurgent Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action[43] Nominated
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (with Shailene Woodley) Won
2016 The Divergent Series: Allegiant Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor: Action Nominated
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Chemistry (with Shailene Woodley) Nominated
Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (with Shailene Woodley) Nominated
2023 The White Lotus Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Agnew, Megan (15 March 2020). "The Interview: Theo James talks Sanditon, objectification and being a heart-throb". The Times. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022. James was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, as Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis.
  2. ^ "Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 12-18". apnews.com. Associated Press. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  3. ^ Young, Susan (9 September 2011). "James' 'Stranger' Role Leads to 'Bedlam' – TV's Top 10: New Faces for Fall – Theo James". Variety; retrieved 27 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Who is Divergent Actor Theo James' girlfriend?". Daily Entertainment News. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  5. ^ Black, Claire (14 March 2015). "Divergent star Theo James on his career ascension". The Scotsman. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  6. ^ Pavia, Lucy (12 March 2020). "Theo James on Hollywood, objectification and making his West End debut". Evening Standard. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Instagram".
  8. ^ "Theo James". UNHCR. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b Ouzounian, Richard (7 March 2013). "Theo James leapt at chance to play tough New York cop in Golden Boy". Toronto Star. Toronto.
  10. ^ Topel, Fred (10 October 2011). "Theo James Talks Bedlam". CraveOnline. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Theo James Speed Date". 20 March 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2017 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "OldAylesburians-Theo James [Taptiklis] Paterson '03". alumni.ags.bucks.sch.uk. 17 September 2019.
  13. ^ "New Theatre graduates star in blockbuster TV roles". University of Nottingham. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Biog: Theo James". Sky Living. 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  15. ^ "A Passionate Woman: Theo James Plays Craze". BBC Press Office (Press release). 7 April 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  16. ^ Rozen, Leah (25 March 2014). "Round-up: 'Divergent's' Theo James Recalls His Quickie 'Downton' Stint and other 'Downton Abbey' News". BBC America.
  17. ^ Dobson, Patricia (6 July 2010). "Class of 2009: where are they now?". Screen International. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  18. ^ "Casting Unveiled on Room At The Top". Screen Yorkshire. 22 December 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  19. ^ Rose, Tiffany (17 March 2014). "'Divergent' Interview: Theo James Talks Personal Fears & Complex Characters". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  20. ^ "THEO JAMES, THE STAR OF DIVERGENT SERIES". Celebrity Ping. 5 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  21. ^ Ford, Rebecca; Youn, Soo (11 September 2014). ""Divergent" actor theo james to star in Fifth 'Underworld' Movie 2017 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  22. ^ "'Golden Boy' Canceled: CBS Series Not Renewed For Season 2". HuffPost. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  23. ^ Vilkomerson, Sara (15 March 2013). "'Divergent' has found its 'Four'! Theo James talks about starring in the next big YA franchise". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  24. ^ Jacobs, Matthew (22 March 2014). "'Insurgent' Has Officially Been Given The Green Light For 2015, Not That You Had Any Doubts". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  25. ^ "7 Things About Theo James | Sanditon | Masterpiece | PBS". Masterpiece. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (9 September 2013). "'London Fields' Gets Underway With Amber Heard, Billy Bob Thornton And Jim Sturgess". Deadline. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  27. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (25 September 2013). "'Divergent' Star Theo James, Dakota Fanning Join Richard Gere in 'Franny'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  28. ^ "Dakota Fanning, Theo James Board Richard Gere's 'Franny'". Deadline. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  29. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (15 August 2019). "Theo James & Andrew D. Corkin Launching Film & TV Label Untapped". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  30. ^ Grater, Tom (7 September 2020). "Independent Sells Out On Theo James & Stacy Martin Sci-Fi 'Archive'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  31. ^ Han, Angie (14 May 2022). "'The Time Traveler's Wife' Review: A Middling HBO Adaptation". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  32. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (10 February 2022). "'The White Lotus': Meghann Fahy, Theo James Among Four Added to Season 2 Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  33. ^ Carlo Simone (4 March 2024). "Netflix The Gentlemen: Full cast list and when it releases". bracknellnews.co.uk.
  34. ^ Pavia, Lucy (11 March 2020). "Theo James interview: 'I'm just not interested in big movies'". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  35. ^ Lewis, Tim (17 March 2024). "'You can't always win in this industry': Theo James on fame, Guy Ritchie and the actor's hustle". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  36. ^ Ng, Philiana (21 March 2014). "'Divergent's' Theo James: 5 Things to Know About the Star Behind Four". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  37. ^ Cooper, Jennifer (September 2015). "Theo James Hugo Boss". E! News. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  38. ^ "Theo James Visits Greece". UNHCR. UNHCR. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  39. ^ James, Theo (20 June 2016). "'Downton' star: My grandfather fled war for safety, today's refugees deserve the same chance". CNN. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  40. ^ Gajanan, Mahita (15 February 2017). "How Actor Theo James' Family History Turned Him Into an Activist". Time. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  41. ^ James, Theo (23 December 2017). "Theo James on his refugee story: from past to present". GQ. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Netflix Reveals The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf Anime Cast and Characters". IGN. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List". Variety. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
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