Bradley James, the popular British actor best known for his role in the hit BBC fantasy TV series Merlin, has been busy with a range of exciting projects in 2024 that are continuing his successful acting career into new territory. In this article, we will learn about What is Bradley James Doing Now.
Bradley James’s Upcoming Projects
In 2024, James has several promising new films and shows in the works:
The Liberator Netflix Series
One of James’s most anticipated upcoming projects is the Netflix war drama series The Liberator, based on the book by Alex Kershaw. James plays Felix Sparks, a colonel in the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Division during World War II.
The Liberator follows Sparks and his diverse battalion of soldiers as they fight across Europe for over 500 days. This will be Bradley James’s first starring role in a major American television production. Filming wrapped in 2021 and the series is expected to premiere in late 2024.
Voice Acting Roles
In addition to on-screen acting, Bradley James has taken on more voice-acting roles in recent years. He voiced a character in the animated film Riverdance: The Animated Adventure in 2021.
James is also voicing characters in several upcoming video games, bringing his acting talents to a new form of entertainment media and expanding his fanbase.
Bradley James’s Recent Acting Roles
In addition to his forthcoming projects, Bradley James has appeared in several popular TV shows and films in the past three years:
| Show/Film | James’s Role | Year Released |
|---|---|---|
| Prodigal Son | Giuliano de Medici | 2019-2021 |
| The Good Liar | Young Bryn | 2019 |
| Medici | Giuliano de’ Medici | 2019 |
| Damien | Damien Thorn | 2016 |
Stage Performances
While James is best known as a screen actor, he also stretched his acting skills in recent years by performing in stage productions.
In 2021, James starred in the lead role of Alex in a London stage production of the drama The Memory of Water. Set over one weekend, The Memory of Water examines three grieving sisters meeting for their mother’s funeral. James demonstrated his versatility by transitioning from fantasy television to an emotional contemporary character.
Reviews praised James’s portrayal as Alex, with The Guardian writing that he “smoothly shapeshifts through emotions.” After its success, there is speculation the production could transfer to Broadway.
Bradley James In 2024: Awards, Red Carpets, and Charity Work
What else is Bradley James up to in 2024 besides acting projects? Here are some highlights:
Potential Award Nominations
With several new acting roles garnering positive reviews, James is considered a contender for acting award nominations this year and next.
In particular, James’s lead performance in The Liberator is already getting Emmy buzz. His complex portrayal of a war-weary colonel could earn him his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor later this year when the show premieres on Netflix.
Charity Work and Activism
Outside his acting work, Bradley James remains dedicated to charity work and activism. He is an ambassador for the Willow Foundation, a UK charity that provides emotional and psychological support for seriously ill young adults.
James also uses his platform to promote environmental causes and speak out about issues like climate change and sustainability. As his popularity grows, expect James’s influence as a celebrity advocate to increase as well.
How Bradley James Compares to Other Actors
As Bradley James continues taking on more mature and complex leading roles, comparisons between him and more established actors are inevitable. Specifically, James is often measured against his fellow Merlin star Colin Morgan.
Both actors have moved beyond Merlin to earn critical praise for historical drama performances – James as Giuliano de’ Medici in Medici and Morgan as Thomas Müller in The Fall. However, Morgan’s career escalated faster with starring roles in theater and American film and television, like Humans and The Living and the Dead.
In 2024, the actors seem poised to achieve more parity. The Netflix war drama The Liberator represents James’s chance to break through similarly to Morgan in a high-quality US production. With James also performing in more theater productions, he continues to demonstrate impressive range as an actor outside of genre fantasy fare.
While Morgan retains a head start from earlier acclaim post-Merlin, anticipation continues for Bradley James’s blossoming career this decade. If The Liberator succeeds as expected, James may finally get the mainstream public appreciation his talent deserves.
| Comparison Metrics | Colin Morgan | Bradley James |
|---|---|---|
| Years Acting | 17 years | 15 years |
| Awards and Nominations | 14 nominations, 4 wins | 3 nominations |
| US TV/Film Roles | 4 major productions | 1 upcoming (The Liberator) |
| Theater Performances | 4 major productions | 1 (The Memory of Water) |
Bradley James’s Approach to Acting and Goals
In interviews, Bradley James demonstrates an intelligent and nuanced perspective on acting and his career goals. He views acting as an evolving craft, not an innate skill, saying:
“I believe that acting isn’t just something that happens magically. It grows, not just through working but through exploring life.”
Rather than rush into big roles early on, James prefers carefully choosing roles where he can develop new skills:
“I’m keen on taking my time over roles so I can build up my abilities. I want every job to expand my acting.”
James remains committed to growth over shortcuts – perhaps why acclaimed directors who work with him, like Sergio Mimica-Gezzan in The Liberator, praise his dedication and talent.
In the future, James strives to continue working with gifted filmmakers who allow him to create dimensional characters. While Hollywood fame does not drive him, he welcomes opportunities for more North American projects after years of acting predominantly in British television.
Above all, Bradley James simply wants his acting craft to mature and thrive organically over steady, mindful effort through captivating roles.
Where Fans Can Get Bradley James Updates
For the latest news, interviews, photos, and more about Bradley James’s current and upcoming projects throughout 2024 check these resources:
- Instagram: @bradleyjames – James shares Instagram posts previewing new roles and behind-the-scenes updates.
- Twitter: @bjames – Check James’s Twitter feed for announcements about upcoming films/shows.
- YouTube: Bradley James’s YouTube channel features video interviews discussing his newest projects.
- Entertainment news sites like Deadline, Variety, Entertainment Weekly, and Anglophenia regularly report on James’s entertainment career.
- Fan sites like BradleyJamesLife collate the most recent James sightings, events, media appearances, and acting news.
Stay tuned to these sites to be the first to know new details about Bradley James’s promising acting work in 2024!
Conclusion
In summary, British actor Bradley James shows no signs of slowing down as he enters his mid-thirties with an increasingly successful acting career across television, film, theater, and voice roles.
2022 marked a turning point with James headlining the Netflix war drama The Liberator in his first US production lead performance – a possible breakthrough project to achieve broader mainstream fame. Additionally, diverse theatre and voice acting demonstrate James’s exceptional talent and versatility.
As James pursues more mature acting roles this decade, comparisons to peers like Colin Morgan seem inevitable. However, James retains his unique presence as an intelligent, deliberate actor embracing the journey of developing his craft rather than chasing stardom. Where James’s career heads next remain compelling to watch for his longtime fans.
Stay tuned to James’s social media and entertainment news sites in 2024 for forthcoming updates about his newest films, interview insights into his methodical acting approach, and potential Hollywood award acclaim. For an actor devoted to steady, wise creative growth amid early fame, Bradley James’s rising trajectory heralds an exciting second act ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions about What is Bradley James Doing Now
What was Bradley James’s most famous role?
Bradley James is arguably most famous for playing the title character King Arthur Pendragon in the BBC fantasy-adventure series Merlin from 2008-2012 alongside Colin Morgan as Merlin. This breakout leading role earned James devoted fans worldwide who follow his work to this day.
What awards has Bradley James won?
While James has received acting award nominations, to date his only major industry win is a National Television Award for Most Popular Drama Performance for Merlin in 2010. With upcoming lead roles like The Liberator, many predict it is only a matter of time before James wins other prestigious acting honors.
Is Bradley James on social media?
Yes, fans can follow James on Instagram under @bradleyjames where he shares frequent career updates as well as Twitter at @bjames. James engages directly with fans through Q&A sessions and replies. He also posts his photos capturing behind-the-scenes moments rather than using PR teams.
What charities does Bradley James support?
As mentioned before, James is an ambassador for Willow Foundation in the UK which provides mental health services to seriously ill individuals under 40. He also partners with organizations supporting environmental activism, homelessness assistance, children’s hospitals, and more.
Is Bradley James married?
While frequently asked if he has a wife or girlfriend, Bradley James remains unmarried and fairly private about his dating life. In 2012, he split from actress Georgia King after a few years together. Since then, James has not had any confirmed public relationships though rumors sometimes arise. He focuses interviews more on his work than his relationships.
How tall is Bradley James?
Bradley James stands at a reported height of 5 feet 11 inches (or 180 cm). While not extremely tall, his athleticism and poise allow him to convincingly portray noble kings and warriors on screen.
How old was Bradley James when he filmed Merlin?
When James began playing King Arthur Pendragon in the first season of Merlin in 2008, he was 24 years old, portraying Arthur from ages 18 to 22 over the show’s 5 seasons. Many fans first became devoted followers of James’s career after seeing his charismatic performance on Merlin in his early 20s.
What new skills has Bradley James learned for acting roles?
As someone who believes in immersing himself fully into every part, James commits to learning any new talents needed for roles – whether horseback riding for Arthur in Merlin, sword fighting in various medieval projects, speaking Italian for Medici, or handling weapons for The Liberator war scenes. He also took boxing and wrestling classes for action sequences in Damien.
Has Bradley James appeared on Broadway yet?
Not yet – but it remains a future goal. As mentioned, James’s 2021 London theater performance in The Memory of Water earned rave reviews with speculation it could transfer to Broadway. Otherwise, James’s career has centered on-screen acting so far, but he has expressed interest in more theater over time.
What shows has Bradley James narrated as voice acting?
Expanding into more voice-over work, Bradley James recently narrated several nature documentary shorts called the Meaningful Escapes series in 2022. He has also voiced nature programs like Wonders of the Coast Path. Audiences will hear even more of James’s distinctive narration in upcoming projects.
Will Bradley James star in any new period dramas?
Most likely yes – historical and costume dramas represent James’s specialty after Merlin, Camelot, Medici, and other popular swashbuckling roles. While he takes on new genres like war movies with The Liberator, fans anticipate James treading the boards in more medieval or Renaissance-era works allowing him to show off his swordsmanship and British charm.
What upcoming fantasy projects will feature Bradley James?
So far none announced – much of James’s recent work has shifted away from fantasy like Merlin and into historical fiction. But sci-fi/fantasy fans still hope he will return to beloved Excalibur-wielding roles or perhaps a Marvel superhero. His charisma and humor perfectly suited Arthurian legend material.
Will Bradley James star in more American films and television shows?
All signs point to yes following James’s biggest Hollywood break yet with 2022’s The Liberator miniseries for Netflix. In interviews, while James emphasizes quality over location, he admits to welcoming more opportunities Stateside. Given James’s strong acting skills and work ethic, chances seem high for more US productions wanting to harness his talent.
What acting award could Bradley James win soon?
As noted before, James delivers a standout starring performance in the 2022 Netflix series The Liberator garnering early Emmy nomination predictions for 2023. Given the meaty lead role and how overdue James is for US recognition, an Emmy for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series appears very possible, if not overdue.
Who are Bradley James’s acting inspirations?
In interviews, James cites varying influences from Daniel Day-Lewis to Peter O’Toole to young talents like Andrew Garfield. He admires those dedicated to the craft of acting itself more than fame, which aligns with his thoughtful approach. Old Hollywood stars also interest him for their nuanced personas.
What are some lesser-known early Bradley James roles?
Casual fans may be unaware James appeared in several British TV shows earlier in his career like Lewis (his first TV role in 2008), Dis/Connected, and Scream of the Shalka before his big breakout as King Arthur in Merlin later in 2008. These bit parts helped the drama school actor get his foot in the door.
What languages can Bradley James speak?
While a skilled mimic, James is likely only fluent in his native English tongue. However, he can deliver lines convincingly in Italian as seen in Medici. He has also performed Latin chanting and speaks simple French. However, interviews suggest languages remain one acting area for James to continue bettering.
How has Bradley James’s career changed since Merlin ended?
When the beloved BBC fantasy series ended in 2012, it left big shoes for James to fill after becoming so associated with King Arthur. He diversified into historical dramas like The Tudors while still pursuing fantasy projects like Camelot. In recent years he has expanded into more mainstream US roles, like Damien and now The Liberator. Though offered some franchise roles, James resisted typecasting to keep exploring new creative territory.
What athletic skills does Bradley James possess?
James’s impressive swordsmanship and horseback riding helped him portray action-oriented roles convincingly. But he also pursues other physical training like boxing, archery, wrestling, and weaponry to expand his skills. James enjoys the demands of highly physical parts. His dedication to fighting choreography and stunt work make demanding battle scenes very believable on screen.
Has Bradley James received any bad reviews?
Largely James earns strong praise even when the material proves uneven. Most criticism goes to poor writing or direction rather than his performances. Early on some said he was too brooding in Camelot after playful Merlin. But in recent darker projects like Damien, his intensity won over initial skeptics. After two decades of acting, reviewers laud his continually maturing talent.
Who are Bradley James’s acting contemporaries?
Many compare James to actors also launching their careers in late 2000s UK shows, like Tom Hopper and Adetomiwa Edun who co-starred in Merlin. Similar BBC alumni include Matt Smith, Robert Sheehan, Richard Madden, and Nicholas Hoult. James stands apart for avoiding blockbusters and carefully picking mature roles showcasing gravitas over appearances.
Has Bradley James discussed mental health issues?
Yes, as an advocate for the Willow Foundation for youth mental health support in the UK, James openly discusses the need to provide resources for young people struggling emotionally. He also emphasizes self-care, work-life balance, and speaking out about mental health in general given the demands of acting. James hopes his celebrity can encourage important conversations around psychological wellbeing.
What are some dream directors Bradley James would like to work with?
In interviews, James expresses admiration for renowned directors like Denis Villeneuve, Steve McQueen, Christopher Nolan, and Quentin Tarantino – though their intense directing styles could prove daunting. He also follows promising up-and-coming indie directors who value collaboration with actors. Ideally, James would work with creative leaders passionate about their craft, whatever their experience level.
How do fans interact with Bradley James?
Very approachable in public, James welcomes chance encounters graciously. At events, he lingers to sign autographs and pose for selfies with large crowds. Online he directly engages supporters through social media replies and messages. Since early fame, he has made an effort for fans to meet the actual man behind King Arthur. This grounded genuineness explains the devoted fan base that continues to stand by him.
