James Frain

James Frain is one of Hollywood's most versatile and respected actors who has a reputation for bold, intelligent performances in a diverse body of work in which he's collaborated with some of the finest actors and directors working today. In television, he most recently completed filming a leading role in the BBC miniseries Showtrial, airing on AMC+ in the US. He is known for his portrayal of real life current and historical figures including; Lord Warwick "The Kingmaker" (The White Queen), Henry VIII's right hand man and godfather of the English Reformation Thomas Cromwell (The Tudors), world famous conductor and classical musician Daniel Barenboim (Hilary and Jackie), LBJ speechwriter Richard Goodwin (Path to War) and Olympic rowing trainer Jack Beresford (Bert and Dickie). James' past film credits include Tron: Legacy opposite Jeff Bridges, Water for Elephants opposite Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, The Count of Monte Cristo with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce, Where the Heart Is opposite Natalie Portman, Reindeer Games with Ben Affleck and Charlize Theron, and Elizabeth opposite Cate Blanchett. James has an extensive theatre background having performed in the UK with The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Almeida, and The Royal Court. James co-starred with Ian McShane on Broadway in The Homecoming for which the cast won The Drama Critics Circle Best Ensemble Award. In 2019 James played Lionel Logue in The Chicago Shakespeare Theater's world premiere of The Kings Speech. He earned his degree in Drama and Film at the University of East Anglia and studied acting at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. While studying in London, James was spotted by Sir Richard Attenborough who immediately cast him in his first feature Shadowlands opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger. James was born in Leeds, in the north of England, to an Irish Catholic family and has seven brothers and sisters. He is married to director Marta Cunningham with whom he has two children. They live in Los Angeles.