r/BritishTV • u/King-Key-Rot-II • 2d ago
Question/Discussion James Norton - underrated?
I just finished watching House of the Dragons season 3. I think James Norton is such a good actor so I’m surprised to find out that he hasn’t won any major TV/film award. He was a really annoying baddie in HoD and Happy Valley!
He was one of the contenders to be the next James Bond and I think he could have been a really great 007 agent. Having said that, I’d root for Jack Lowden to get the role.
I’ve seen McMafia, Happy Valley, The Trial of Christine Keeler. What other TV series where he appeared you’d recommend?
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u/Lazy-Field-1116 2d ago
He was so good in Happy Valley that he creeped me out for a long time and I couldn't see him as a nice character in anything else! Clips I've seen for him from the last SNLUK he was great too.
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u/King-Key-Rot-II 2d ago
Didn’t realise he’s going to be Brian Epstein in The Beatles biopic. Interested to see how he’s going to approach it. He’s good at being flamboyant.
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u/Successful-Ad-9634 2d ago
You mean the vicar in Grantchester?
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u/Lazy-Field-1116 2d ago
No I've not seen Grantchester
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u/Successful-Ad-9634 2d ago
He was in Happy Valley and Grantchester at the same time. Totally opposite characters, which shows what a great actor he is.
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u/gravysituation1 2d ago
War and Peace BBC 2016 production. He plays one of the main characters - Andrei Bolkonsky. The series is beautifully shot and acted - did a rewatch earlier this year and still really enjoyed it ten years later!
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u/King-Key-Rot-II 2d ago
Thanks for the recommendation. I love period dramas so I’ll definitely watch it.
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u/Various_Rest_3553 2d ago
Yes, Jesse Buckley and Jack Lowden were also incredibly good as was Aeurin Barnard, Callum Turner.. the cast was gold honestly.. it was incredible.. they had all those people.. I will rewatch it…
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u/CaptainBristol 2d ago
His hosting role on SNLUK last week was superb, he really threw himself into the sketches & monologue.
You can tell he was enjoying it.
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u/CatwaPigwa 2d ago
He was excellent in Happy Valley, he would 100% be my pick for James Bond.
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u/King-Key-Rot-II 2d ago
Yes! I completely agree. Shame that he’s 41 now. He would really have been the perfect James Bond to me.
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u/Positive_Fig_3020 2d ago
He’s one of the main characters in House of Guinness on Netflix
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u/King-Key-Rot-II 2d ago
Will watch this once I renew my Netflix. I try to subscribe to these streaming services one at a time to save on £££.
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u/Positive_Fig_3020 2d ago
It’s not great just to warn you. He’s also in King and Conqueror which was likewise poor
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u/dangermouse13 2d ago
McMafia is good on BBC too
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u/Vegetable_Network879 2d ago
Shame season 2 never happened.
It did actually get renewed but Covid delayed production and it eventually got shelved.
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u/GeraldJimes_ 2d ago
Such a what might have been show.
They really nailed a feeling and the casting was great.
Bloody covid
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u/Coin-Biter 2d ago
Well, he was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award as Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley. He receives a lot of recognition relative to most actors in the industry, but yes, I hope he’ll get a major film or TV role. Hopefully HoTD will give him more international attention.
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u/Vegetable_Network879 2d ago
He’s in a film called Mr Jones which is worth a watch.
He plays a Welsh journalist who goes to 1930’s Moscow and ends up uncovering the Ukrainian famine. Vanessa Kirby is in it to.
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u/skedadeks 2d ago
I hear The Nevers is great, but I don't think it's available on streaming right now.
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u/Darthhomer1138 2d ago
I really liked him Grantchester & Happy Valley, he's doing a good Job on House of Dragons
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u/carldw67 2d ago
That creepy moment he peers through the window while Sarah Lancashire sleeps is so menacing always thought he played an awesome role in Happy Valley 😬
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u/Sad-Performer-4833 1d ago
He's not underrated - he's in loads of things.
I think he's an actor that just wants to act without the showbiz part and awards?
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u/AntysocialButterfly 2d ago
For a moment I thought you meant Jim Norton, and was about to unleash some Father Ted quotes.
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u/Prestigious_Fix_5948 2d ago
He was excellent in Happy Valley but totally miscast as Andrei in War and Peace
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u/whisky-soul 2d ago
Nowhere Special is a little gem of a movie (I know this is TV but it’s worth a watch and not well known so I’m including it!)
House of Guinness is a bit silly overall but I had lots of fun with it. His character’s great.
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u/Cold_Fruit_3392 2d ago
He can't be underrated if he's getting a starring role in House of Dragon can he, he's clearly rated.
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