As he takes the lead in ITV’s Playing Nice, all eyes are on James Norton – but what is there to know about the actor off-screen, from his split to a terrifying health scare?
Since the mesmerising ITV drama Playing Nice graced our screens last week, James Norton, taking on the lead role, has kept viewers utterly transfixed – and it turns out, his off-screen antics are equally enthralling. In the four-part series, we watch with bated breath as James’ character faces a world turned upside down upon the shocking revelation that his toddler was exchanged with another child at birth.
The Happy Valley star, 39, is no stranger to complex roles, has spoken candidly about the “challenge” embedded in his latest acting venture. “The role is emotionally challenging to play, and it takes you to a dark yet unusual place,” he said. He added: “Stories about bereavement, heartbreak or grief are more familiar. This is a story which encapsulates all of those various forms of pain, but to find out that your child is not your own, is not an experience which people have often.”
However, dramatic narratives aren’t uncommon for James. His stint in A Little Life, the theatre adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara’s novel, proved to be as personally transformative as it was professionally demanding. In a candid chat with The Sunday Times, he revealed the psychological toll it took: “It was the hardest thing I’ve done.”
James confessed that his optimistic approach to distinguish between work and personal life couldn’t withstand the gravity of the play, admitting: “I was naïve. I thought I would be able to apply my philosophy to split work and life, but without sounding overly worthy, it felt so important because some people who came to see the play were survivors of abuse,” reports the Mirror.
He also added that he became a “catatonic mess” who had “panic attacks”. Yet, he reflected on the journey positively, saying that by the close of the performances, he “felt incredible”.
London-born actor James recently stepped away from the world of acting, capturing hearts as he featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories, reading a tale dedicated to helping kids and families understand diabetes. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his twenties, James described the experience at the time as being “traumatic”.
Opening up to the Irish Daily Mail, he shared, “It was traumatic, because I’m a terrible hypochondriac anyway,” but found strength through his sister, who was training to be a doctor.
He reflected warmly on her support: “But it was also manageable because I had the best role model in my sister, who was training to be a doctor. I called her so many times, worrying about things, which was strange, because I’d always been the protective older brother, keeping an eye on Jessie [his sister] at parties.”
Highlighting the challenges they faced, he continued: “Having type 1 was particularly hard for her through her teenage years when she had so many other things to contend with. But then, when it was my turn, she got me through it, too.”
In his personal life, James previously made headlines with acclaimed Hollywood star Imogen Poots and reports of their engagement made waves in February 2022. However, by February 2024 reports suggested that the couple parted ways after “growing apart”.