Born in Northern Ireland in 1931, James has enjoyed a stage, television and film career spanning 60 years,  At the beginning of his career he became a local household name as continuity announcer on the newly launched Ulster Television.  James has played two distinctive types for the majority of his screen career, his clerics and judges have been honed to perfection.

His more recent television credits include: Happy Valley, Call The Midwife, Downton Abbey, Wolf Hall, Doctor Who, Hunderby.  James’ film credits: Les Miserables, Albert Nobbs and Rocknrolla