all things james callis

James Callis was born on 4 June, 1971 in London, England. After graduating from the London Academy of Music and Art in 1996, James Callis made his professional debut in the Bristol Old Vic and then on to London's West End at the Gielgud Theatre, in a production of Jon Maran's ‘Old Wicked Songs’ with the respected actor Bob Hoskins. For his performance, James took out the Jack Tinker Award for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’.

James Callis 'Murder Most Horrid'
Also in 1996, James landed his first television role in ‘Murder Most Horrid’, Dawn French’s comedy/drama which ran for four seasons and featured a who’s who of top British actors including Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie. James plays Mark on a season three episode entitled ‘Confess’.

James Callis 'Soldier, Solider'
Also in 1996, James joined the cast of ‘Soldier, Soldier’, where despite protesting he was much too young, he was cast as Major Tim Forrester. I read in an interview somewhere that he finally gets the girl...

James Callis 'Heat of the Sun' Private Lives
1998. James is cast as Assistant Superintendent Clive Lanyard in the TV series 'Heat of the Sun'. James has a co-starring role in the first episode which is called 'Private Lives'. Set in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1931, Clive assists the new Scotland Yard Superintendent Alan Tyburn (Trevor Eve) in solving a series of burglaries, arson and murders which revolve around the Happy Valley set of British ex-pats.

James Callis 'Going Wrong' Ruth Rendell Mysteries
In 1998, James had the leading role in the Ruth Rendell Mysteries three-part story called ‘Going Wrong’. James plays Guy Curran, a cocky East Londoner who’s love-struck and out of his league with his upper-class girlfriend (and her hideous family). There's a ferocious duelling scene in this, (well a lot of duelling scenes actually, what a fight it is!), that is pretty unreal. How no-one was seriously hurt is a miracle!

James Callis 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' Valenitn Gautier Madame Guillotine
In 1999, James appeared in the second episode of the television movie series, ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ as Henri, a catholic aristocrat turned rebel leader who's fighting a losing battle against the encroaching forces of the Republic. This episode is either called 'Valentin Gautier' or 'Madame Guillotine' depending on where you read it. Richard E Grant is The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Martin Shaw plays the nasty (and very lovely!) Chauvelin.

James Callis 'Sex, Chips and Rock 'n' Roll' The Wolf
Also in 1999, James appeared in the BBC mini ‘Sex, Chips and Rock ‘n’ Roll’ as the dilettante drummer with a kind heart, The Wolf. He's part of a struggling rock group called 'The Ice Cubes. Set in Manchester and London in 1965, James plays a mean drum kit, and looks very stunning with his long hair, and his leather, velvet and lace attire.

James Callis 'Arabian Nights'
2000. Arabian Nights, Hallmark Entertainment. Arabian Nights is a two part miniseries, comprising five stories told within a story, in the tradition of the ‘One Thousand and One Nights’. James appears in a small but pivotal role as Prince Ahmed in the last tale called ‘The Three Princes’. He's part of a trio of bickering brothers whose father sends them on a mission to each bring back a wonder of the world. Prince Ahmed brings back the apple of healing. The series also features Alan Bates as the Prince, Mili Avital as Sheherazade, Rufus Sewell as Ali Baba, Dougray Scott, Andy Serkis, Jason Scott Lee as Aladdin, Vanessa-Mae and Alexei Sayle. Arabian Nights won awards for best casting, and outstanding makeup. The costumes and the Henson special-effects are really amazing, and the whole thing is a total delight.

James Callis 'Bridget Jones's Diary'
In 2001, James made his feature film debut playing Bridget’s gay friend Tom, in Bridget Jones’s Diary. James reprised his role a few years later in the Bridget Jones sequel.

James Callis 'Victoria & Albert'
In 2001, James also had a small role in 'Victoria and Albert' playing Albert's older brother, Ernest. The mini-series focuses on Victoria's early life with her domineering mother, before moving onto her marriage and relationship with Albert. The mini stars Victoria Hamilton, Jonathan Price, Nigel Hawthorne, David Suchet and Dianna Rigg. Peter Ustinov makes a great cameo as William IV (by just being himself really...) :)

James Callis 'Beginner's Luck'
In 2001, James made his feature film co-directorial debut in the independent comedy ‘Beginner’s Luck’ while starring alongside Julie Delpy. James shared the writing and directing credits with Nick Cohen. Firmly rooted in real life experiences, James stars as Mark Feinman, the would-be director/impressario of a motley troupe of amateur actors called ‘The Vagabonds’. The Vagabonds are reaching for the nirvana of ‘the island’ (Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’). Risking starvation, cold, poverty, and all sorts of humiliation for their art, they never quite make it to ‘the island’, but they do get to a strip club in Soho, a curry shop in Edinburgh, and run amok through the streets of Paris, instead.