James Harkness (actor)

Last updated

James Harkness
Born
James Harkness

Glasgow, Scotland
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present
SpouseTanya Harkness
Children1

James Harkness is a Scottish actor. He is known for his roles as Craig Myers in the BBC crime drama The Victim (2019), [1] as James in BBC drama The Nest (2020) [2] and footballer Jimmy Love in the Netflix drama The English Game (2020) [3] and the Sky Original Gangs of London .

Contents

Early life

Harkness was raised by his mother in a deprived household in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. [4] He studied at King's Park Secondary School and took an interest in drama from an early age. [4] At the age of 18, he suffered arm injuries from being struck with an axe (a weapon he brought to a confrontation relating to a stolen mobile phone), which later caused panic attacks when he passed the location of the incident – Pollokshaws – or even saw someone walking with a phone. [5]

Harkness was chosen by BAFTA as part of their BAFTA Elevate 2019 group programme which provides a support and network to aspiring young actors. [4]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015 Macbeth Angus
The Program Wayne
2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Private Basteren
2017 Darkest Hour A.D. Nicholl
2018 Wild Rose Elliot
2021 Spencer Footman Paul
2022Poison ArrowsTerry McClean
2023 Betrayal Miller

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014 Silent Witness Jerome Nelson2 episodes
UnforgettableRudyEpisode: "A Stray Bullet"
2015 Suspects Eddie MulvilleEpisode: "AWOL"
2016 Retribution MattEpisode: "The Storm"
In Plain Sight Joe Brannan2 episodes
2017 Tin Star FoxyEpisode: "Fortunate Boy"
2019 The Victim Craig MyersMain role
2020 The Nest JamesMain role
The English Game Jimmy Love Main role
Gangs of London Kev2 episodes
2021 Anne Boleyn William Kingston 2 episodes
2022 Raised by Wolves Tamerlane5 episodes
2023 The Sixth Commandment DS Richard EarlSupporting role [6]
2025 The Bombing of Pan Am 103 DS Sandy Gay [7]

References

  1. "The Victim -Interview with the cast and creative team". BBC . 27 March 2019.
  2. "Meet the cast of BBC One's The Nest". Radio Times . 7 April 2020.
  3. "The English Game cast: Who plays Jimmy Love in The English Game? Meet the Scottish actor". The Express . 24 March 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "BAFTA Elevate 2019 Actors". BAFTA . 7 October 2019.
  5. The Nest star James Harkness reveals he was attacked with Axe in Pollokshaws flats, Glasgow Times, 25 May 2020
  6. "The Sixth Commandment cast: Who stars in the BBC drama?". Radio Times . 17 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  7. Hibbs, James (18 May 2025). "The Bombing of Pan Am 103 cast: Full list of major characters and actors". Radio Times . Retrieved 14 June 2025.