Lennie James Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Single Drama for "Storm Damage" in 2001 and a Royal Television Society Award for Best Male Actor for "Line of Duty" in 2013
• Won a Method Fest award for Best Ensemble Cast for "Mob Rules" in 2010
• Graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 1988
• When he followed his girlfriend to an audition, the director asked him to join in the audition and his acting career began
• Quote: "I think that, if you're very clearly good or you're very clearly bad, then there isn't that much internal dilemma going on․․․I like playing guys where it's as important what they're thinking as what they're saying․"
• Quote: "[on Frank Darabont] "I went to work with Frank, and it's really like a double-edged sword because I am really excited that I get to work with one of the directors that I most admire on the planet, but I was a little frightened․""
• Best known for his roles in the films "Snatch" and "Columbiana" and in the TV series "Hung․"
• He prepared for his role as the homeless recovering drug addict in "Run" by walking around the streets of London in character and making note of the way people reacted to him
• Wrote and directed the BBC film "Storm Damage," which was based on his experiences growing up in foster care
• Has said he is drawn to characters "who dance among the ambiguity and the grey areas․"