James Cartwright (actor)
James Cartwright | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Lewis Cartwright 22 October 1984 Bolton, Greater Manchester, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Television | The Story of Tracy Beaker Coronation Street |
James Lewis Cartwright (born 22 October 1984) is an English actor, known for portraying the roles of Nathan Jones in the CBBC children's television series The Story of Tracy Beaker (2003–2004), Harrison Burns in the BBC Radio 4 radio soap opera The Archers (2014–present) and Theo Silverton in the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street (2025–present).
Life and career
James Lewis Cartwright was born on 22 October 1984 in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and was raised in Chorley, Lancashire.[1][2][3] He made his acting debut in 2001, appearing in an episode of The Bill, as well as the television film Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise.[4] The following year, he appeared in the short film Function at the Junction and was in an episode of the BBC drama series Clocking Off.[5] In 2003, Cartwright joined the cast of the second series of CBBC children's television series The Story of Tracy Beaker as trainee care worker Nathan Jones.[6] He made his final appearance during the final episode of the third series, as well as appearing in Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me and the Children in Need special Tracy Beaker Parties with Pudsey the same year.[7] He made various guest roles over the next decade including in Outlaws, Blackpool, Doctors, The Afternoon Play, Casualty and Minder, as well as appearing as Kev in five episodes of Hollyoaks Later, a spin-off of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.[4] In 2012, Cartwright was charged with grievous bodily harm and ultimately given a 18-month suspended sentence after punching a man in a nightclub.[1][8] He also appeared in the film Vinyl.[4]
In 2014, Cartwright the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers as Sergeant Harrison Burns, member of the local police force.[9] He went on to appear in various guest roles including Love, Lies and Records (2017), Father Brown (2019) and the film adaption of Downton Abbey (2019).[10] In 2019, he appeared as John, King of England in Glow and Darkness.[4][11] He also appeared in Dalgliesh (2021) and Sister Boniface Mysteries (2024). In 2025, Cartwright joined the cast of the ITV1 soap opera Coronation Street as Theo Silverton.[12][13] His storylines have included the character's hidden sexuality and affair with Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), who he then begins to domestically abuse, as well as leaving Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) to die during the crossover episode Corriedale.[14][15][16]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Bill | Red | Episode: "The Dark Side" |
| 2001 | Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise | De Kid | Film role |
| 2002 | Function at the Junction | Tony Callow | Short film |
| 2002 | Clocking Off | Daniel Preston | Episode: "Alan's Story" |
| 2003–2004 | The Story of Tracy Beaker | Nathan Jones | Main role |
| 2004 | Tracy Beaker: The Movie of Me | Television film | |
| 2004 | Tracy Beaker Parties with Pudsey | Spin-off | |
| 2004 | Doctors | Stevie Smith | Episode: "One Foot in the Grave" |
| 2004 | Outlaws | Mark Eliot | Episode: "A Life of Grime" |
| 2004 | Blackpool | Mike Hooley | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | The Fantastic Escape | Guard #1 | Short film |
| 2006 | Missing | The Hacker | Television mini-series |
| 2007 | The Afternoon Play | Johnny | Episode: "Johnny Shakespeare" |
| 2007 | Instinct | Jogger | Television film |
| 2007 | Casualty | Patrick Foxwell | Episode: "Lost in the Rough" |
| 2009 | Minder | Neil Butler | Episode: "In Vino Veritas" |
| 2009 | The Chapel | Man | Short film |
| 2009 | Hollyoaks Later | Kev | 5 episodes |
| 2011 | Holby City | Johnnie Marks | Episode: "Running the Gauntlet" |
| 2012 | Vinyl | Jimmy Breen | Film |
| 2012 | Vinyl | Jimmy Breen | Film |
| 2012 | The Farmer's Wife | Auctioneer | Short film |
| 2013 | Dracula | Messenger Boy | Episode: "From Darkness to Light" |
| 2017 | Love, Lies and Records | Gavin | 1 episode |
| 2014–present | The Archers | Sgt. Harrison Burns | Regular role |
| 2015 | Doctors | Brad Conley | Episode: "Trust Me I'm a Doctor" |
| 2016 | BBC Breakfast | Himself | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2019 | Granada Reports | Himself | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2019 | Father Brown | Jimbo Riley | Episode: "The Demise of Debutante" |
| 2019 | Downton Abbey | Tony Sellick | Film |
| 2020 | Steph's Packed Lunch | Sgt. Harrison Burns | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2021 | Glow and Darkness | John, King of England | Main role |
| 2021 | Dalgliesh | Stephen Lampart | 2 episodes |
| 2024 | Sister Boniface Mysteries | Humphrey Lash | Episode: "It's Just Not Cricket" |
| 2025 | Lorraine | Himself | Guest; 1 episode |
| 2025–present | Coronation Street | Theo Silverton | Regular role |
References
- ^ a b "Actor from Chorley fined for attack on man in club". Lancashire Telegraph. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Coronation Street's James Cartwright praises soap for conversion therapy storyline". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Crutchley, Joe (2 February 2026). "Inside Corrie Theo star's life from famous dad to recent heartbreaking tragedy". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d "James Cartwright". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "James Cartwright filmography". Plex.tv. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Mwitumwa, Monde (12 July 2025). "Coronation Street's Theo Silverton star unrecognisable in forgotten CBBC role". Belfast Live. Archived from the original on 4 August 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Wheeler, by Olivia (3 May 2025). "Coronation Street fans only just realising Theo star's role on Tracy Beaker". Belfast Live. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Dosanjh, Kiesha (18 May 2025). "'Coronation Street star almost blinded me – ITV soap needs to make decision'". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "James Cartwright on Coronation Street, The Archers & Downton Abbey". Absolutely Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Wheeler, by Olivia (13 July 2025). "Coronation Street fans all say same thing as they spot Theo star in huge movie". Leicestershire Live. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Wheeler, by Olivia (13 July 2025). "Coronation Street fans 'completely forgot' Theo star was in huge ITV show". Belfast Live. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Adams, Michael. "Coronation Street's James Cartwright talks Theo's guilt and Todd abuse | Radio Times". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Coronation Street's James Cartwright shocks Lorraine Kelly in live TV interview". Digital Spy. 2 July 2025. Archived from the original on 1 December 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Grimes, Gary (3 June 2025). "Coronation Street actor James Cartwright slams 'archaic' conversion therapy and praises soap's handling of topic". Attitude. Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Coronation Street story 'shines a light on LGBT+ domestic abuse'". BBC News. 22 November 2025. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Coronation Street airs major change in Todd and Theo's dark storyline tonight". Digital Spy. 15 December 2025. Archived from the original on 20 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.