From the earliest days of his career, British actor James Norton understood the distinct advantages — and potential limitations — that came with being a wavy-haired performer known for his refined accent.
“I knew there was a risk of getting pigeonholed into period dramas, a very ‘English’ sort of role,” the 40-year-old actor recently shared. Indeed, Norton’s ruggedly handsome features and natural, un-Hollywood smile evoke classic cinema rather than modern social media, perfectly suiting him for the kind of roles that are consistently popular exports from Britain.
Despite his background, including training at London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and a degree from the University of Cambridge, Norton is determined to avoid being typecast. He laughed, admitting, “Perhaps it’s a relentless craving for stress and unpredictability, but I’ve always been driven to push my own boundaries.”
This commitment to challenge is evident in his newest project, “House of Guinness.” While it is, once again, a period drama – a lively series from ‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, chronicling the rise of the iconic Irish brewing family – it demanded something entirely new: mastering a flawless 1860s Dublin accent. Norton confessed, “I knew I’d be completely out of my depth if I didn’t dedicate myself to it.”
From the outset, Norton made sure his agent was keenly aware of his ambitious spirit. After gaining experience in theater and various smaller television roles, he landed the part of the formidable villain Tommy Lee Royce in the BBC crime drama “Happy Valley,” which first aired in Britain in 2014. In this breakthrough role, he portrayed a disturbed, impoverished, and murderous character embroiled in a relentless conflict with a local police officer.
Sally Wainwright, the series creator, remarked, “Tommy is utterly different from James himself.” She noted that among the many auditions for the part, Norton was unique in his intuitive portrayal of Tommy as a remarkably shy individual, subtly revealing the vulnerability of a man who had endured a traumatic upbringing. Norton’s ability to infuse the character with unforeseen depth, Wainwright added, is a hallmark of truly exceptional acting.
“I worried I’d be forever cast in typical British period dramas,” James Norton candidly shared.
“Happy Valley” ultimately spanned multiple successful seasons, returning in 2016 and 2023, solidifying Norton’s status as a British star. Following its initial run, when his agent relayed a casting query for a new role, expressing concern over his ability to portray a “well-spoken” character, Norton’s reaction was pure joy. He distinctly remembers thinking, “That’s precisely the kind of challenge we’re looking for.”
In the years that followed, Norton has consistently pursued roles that satisfy his hunger for both rigorous challenge and continuous learning, always with an element of enjoyment.
For his role in “House of Guinness,” set to premiere on Netflix on September 25, Norton delved deep into the social, religious, and political turmoil of 19th-century Ireland. Yet, he admitted, there was also the undeniable appeal of getting to “don a stylish top hat, a sweeping black coat, smoke a hand-rolled cigarette, and truly embrace feeling like a rebel.”
Norton takes on the character of Sean Rafferty, the formidable foreman of the Guinness factory. Rafferty is the man behind the scenes, performing the unsavory tasks that enable his employers to ascend Dublin’s social ladder and mingle with the elite. Steven Knight sought an actor capable of embodying both commanding authority and profound emotional depth, especially as Rafferty’s storyline intertwines with a complex romantic involvement with a member of the Guinness family.
With performances consistently marked by undeniable charisma and an expansive emotional spectrum, Norton was Steven Knight’s top pick for the role, joining the project even while the script was still being penned. Knight remarked, “When you secure an actor of that caliber, you can breathe a little easier, knowing you won’t have to overwork to convey your message.”
James Norton as Sean Rafferty in “House of Guinness.”
For over a decade, Norton’s reputation as one of Britain’s most talented and imposing actors has inevitably led to constant speculation about him taking on the iconic role of James Bond. In recent years, he has consistently been a front-runner among British bookmakers to succeed Daniel Craig as 007. During a recent interview in a London hotel, the topic of these persistent rumors caused Norton to visibly shift in his chair.
“It’s all just fun, quirky, and amusing speculation,” he said with a laugh, “but ultimately, it means nothing concrete.”
This past summer, shortly after Denis Villeneuve was named director for the franchise’s first Amazon-backed film, industry insiders reportedly told Variety that the studio was seeking an actor under 30 for the role. “I’m likely too old now,” Norton admitted, his tone carrying a hint of relief. He had, after all, just celebrated his 40th birthday with a large party.
“Perhaps discussions are happening,” he added, “just not with me directly.”
Even as the Bond rumors persist, Norton remains relentlessly busy, often juggling multiple projects simultaneously. “Too much downtime, and I become stagnant,” he explained. “The more projects I have on the go, the better I perform.”
Since 2019, a significant endeavor has been Rabbit Track Pictures, a production company he co-founded to develop projects from their inception. Through this company, he has produced several acclaimed films and series, all of which have, to date, featured him in a starring role. These include the gripping parenthood drama “Playing Nice” (available on BritBox) and “King and Conqueror,” a BBC historical epic detailing the Battle of Hastings.
“My Buddhist retreat and therapy have genuinely helped me find peace,” Norton reflected.
Kitty Kaletsky, co-founder of Rabbit Track, noted that Norton’s “DNA is infused into every aspect of the company.” She initially hadn’t anticipated such deep commitment and meticulous attention to detail from an actor with an already packed schedule.
Norton likened the act of producing to “hosting the most incredible dinner party imaginable.”
The true artistry, he elaborated, lies in “understanding which individuals will naturally connect, where the chemistry will ignite, and how that will ultimately create something truly extraordinary.”
This powerful synergy was vividly demonstrated when Norton took on the lead in Ivo van Hove’s highly praised London stage production of “A Little Life.” Adapted from Hanya Yanagihara’s best-selling 2015 novel, the play delves into the life of Jude, a New York City lawyer haunted by a traumatic past and tormented by his present. (Notably, Yanagihara also serves as editor for T: The New York Times Style Magazine.)
Van Hove had previously staged a Dutch-language version of the novel, which even toured to New York, but tackling it in English with an entirely new cast and the author present during early rehearsals proved nerve-wracking, according to the director. However, the moment he witnessed Norton embodying Jude, van Hove confessed he felt “completely at ease.”
Van Hove praised Norton as a profound “thinker” possessing immense intelligence, and also a “daredevil” willing to explore depths in his performance that many other actors might shy away from.
Jude’s character remains on stage for nearly the entire four-hour duration of the play, often depicted in vulnerable states, including nudity and self-harm with a razor. As a Type 1 diabetic, Norton ingeniously concealed glucose shots around the set, taking them discreetly during performances. With up to eight shows each week, he declared, “It’s likely the most demanding role I’ll ever undertake.”
Danielle Galligan and Norton in “House of Guinness.”
Remarkably, even after the demanding run concluded, Norton reached out to the producers to propose a reprise of the role. He described experiencing a profound “flow state” during the grueling marathon performances.
“It’s this heightened sense of awareness that’s incredibly addictive,” he explained. (Norton conceded, perhaps fortunately, that a second run never materialized.)
Following “A Little Life,” Norton embarked on a Buddhist meditation retreat in the south of France, which he credits with fostering a deeper contemplation of “how to genuinely live one’s life.” He recounted a “idyllic” childhood in rural Yorkshire, northern England, attending a Catholic high school before his interest in faith evolved into an “academic pursuit” during his college theology studies.
Today, Norton asserts that “therapy and my Buddhist retreat have essentially helped me find a sense of calm,” aiding in the management of self-doubt that occasionally hinders his performances. He has also consciously moved away from the drama school dogma that acting is a rigid “craft” with definitive “right and wrong” methods. Instead, he now embraces the understanding that “true brilliance often emerges from the imperfections and unexpected missteps.”
So, what’s next on his list of challenges? Norton conducted this summer interview during a filming break for Season 3 of “House of the Dragon,” where he portrays Ormund Hightower. He also revealed a growing interest in directing, which he feels “somehow represents the ultimate form of expression.”
“The director’s chair is quite intimidating,” Norton confessed, “and that’s precisely why I know I need to pursue it.”