The Twitterati have gone mad for James Norton in his new role as Prince Andrei in the BBC’s epic adaptation of War And Peace.
The handsome Yorkshireman is set to eclipse Mr. Darcy as Britain’s hottest totty in a period costume. Creator of both series, Andrew Davies, revealed there’s no wet shirt scene to rival Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy, but James “is just as lovely with everything on”.
James has amassed quite the female fan club due to stand out performances in British TV dramas (Happy Valley, Grantchester), and films (with impressive bit parts in Belle and Mr. Turner).
Hollywood beckons for the Brit IT boy, so we may not see him grace our small screens for much longer. Here’s everything you need to know about James from the famous jawline to what he eats for breakfast…
James Norton: fast facts
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Born: 18 July, 1985 (age 30)
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Place of birth: London; grew up in Malton, North Yorkshire
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University: read Theology at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge
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In 2015, James received a Best Supporting Actor BAFTA TV nomination for his role as drug dealing psychopath, Tommy Lee Royce, in the BBC mini-series, Happy Valley
James Norton: filmography
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2009 An Education (Jenny's boyfriend)
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2012 Cheerful Weather for the Wedding (Owen)
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2013 Rush (Guy Edwards)
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2013 Belle (Oliver Ashford)
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2014 Mr. Turner (Francis Willoughby)
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2014 Northmen: A Viking Saga (Bjorn)
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2014 Bonobo (Ralph)
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2014 Grantchester (Reverend Sidney Chambers)
James Norton: trivia
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Gwen Stefani was the first character he ever played in a school miming competition back in 1998. “I was utterly terrified at first, and just stood there demurely tapping my foot, but then everyone began cheering. All of a sudden I started enjoying it, strutting up and down the stage and lapping up the applause.”
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James was drawn to Eastern religions at a young age, travelling around India and Nepal to learn about Hinduism and Buddhism before starting a Theology degree at Cambridge. But despite his academic interests, he doesn’t consider himself a religious man.
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James was a member of the Marlowe Society theatre club at Cambridge, appearing in the centenary edition of Cymbeline, directed by Trevor Nunn.
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He spent three years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) but left 6 months before graduation for an acting role.
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He gets up at 9am when he’s not shooting and likes to eat a hearty breakfast: porridge in winter and muesli in the summer. Lots of fuel for building those pecs.
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James describes his fashion sense as “classic” and loves vintage clothing. “A friend of mine runs a pop-up shop nearby that I help stock the menswear section for; it means I can buy what I want and sell it if it doesn’t fit. I make sure to find a flea market wherever I am shooting.”
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In true country style, James enjoys rambling. He recently joined the National Trust and has climbed the Brecon Beacons, Lake District and South Downs. “I like the idea of being able to get out of London and climb a hill.”
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He fancies a stint at directing so he can control the end to end creative process. He’s a great admirer of award-winning British director, Steve McQueen. His acting idols are Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sean Penn.
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James is a feminist. He’s openly critical of the film industry’s marginalisation of women but is hopeful that young female directors will turn things around. “This is the time for them. They are all taking over the theatre. That’s very exciting.”
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He likes to wander around his neighbourhood (Peckham, London) in character. “I do mundane things like go shopping or cycle around town and find myself looking at people just thinking, ‘Fuck you. Get out of my fucking way.’ Or giving a hateful look to the person innocently selling me my Granny Smith."
Prince Andrei will be a welcome replacement for a psychopath and a vicar!