James Norton, from Ryedale, rules out next James Bond role

The Happy Valley star, 41, is one of many actors who has been rumoured for the role since Daniel Craig confirmed No Time To Die – released in 2021 – would be his final outing as 007.

Speaking on Capital Breakfast, James was asked: “How many times have you been asked (about James Bond)?”

He replied: “I’ve been asked a thousand times over the last 10 years. And I can honestly, hand on heart, say no. I think I may be a little bit long in the tooth now.”

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James, who has played wide-ranging parts from a serial killer to village vicar, had his first experience of films at The Palace cinema in Malton and his first taste of fame when photos of his school play appeared in the Gazette & Herald.

Brought up near Malton, James attended Amotherby Primary School from the age of four where his inspiration to become an actor first started.

Speaking to the Gazette & Herald last year, James said he very happy there and remember getting the bus two or three miles down the road to school every morning,” he said.

He said: “I remember being there when I was just four years old and it’s bizarre but we were going to do the school Nativity when something happened in my head and I desperately wanted to play Joseph.

“I put my heart and soul into that role and from that moment I did every school production they put on.”

With James getting the acting bug he expanded his talents to by joining the Livewire Theatre Group in Butterwick run by Mary Tait.

“It was there that I did my very first play and had my first taste of theatre,” James added.

“Then at the age of 15, I went to the Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) in Scarborough on work experience for three weeks.

“While I was there I got to work behind the scenes in everything from production to the costume department.

“It was such an amazing opportunity and I think that sealed it for me that this was the world I wanted to be in.”

In 2023, James returned the favour the SJF had given him by becoming its new patron and in December 2025, he returned to Scarborough to host an “in conversation” event about his life at the venue.

He said: “To come back full circle was really nice. The venue was really important as part of my journey into this mad industry.

“The theatre as a really, really good outreach programme is the only producing theatre in North Yorkshire, which is a sad reflection on the state of regional theatre.”

“But, it is an amazing building, with amazing heritage and history. I love it.”

“I have a lot of love for Ryedale and of course, a lot of love for the Gazette & Herald. It is the first paper I ever read and one I featured in whenever I happened to be photographed while at primary school.”