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James Anthony Pearson

James Anthony Pearson is a and screenwriter based in , best known for portraying in the 2007 biographical film , directed by . Born in , , and raised in , , Pearson holds a degree in and Physics from the and later trained in clowning under Angela DeCastro. He began his career as an , appearing in notable television roles such as Ed in the BBC Three series Lip Service and Reece in the ITV crime drama . Pearson's stage work includes the role of Billy in a theatrical adaptation of with Catherine Wheels Theatre Company and in a production by Theatre Trust. In film, beyond , he starred in New Town Killers (2008), for which he received a nomination. Transitioning into writing, Pearson is an alumnus of the Writers Room Drama Writers Program and Scottish Voices 2019, with a focus on amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. His debut is the Making Noise, a biopic about deaf percussionist , directed by Hope Dickson Leach and starring and . Pearson resides in with his partner and two sons, continuing to work across acting and writing in the entertainment industry.

Early life

Upbringing in

James Anthony Pearson was born in , , , though the exact date is not publicly known. Pearson spent his formative years growing up in , , an industrial city noted for its multicultural community and historical ties to the textile trade. He briefly lived in and during his youth. This northern English environment formed the backdrop of his childhood before his later relocation northward. While specific details on family background are limited, Pearson's early life in exposed him to the region's dynamic social landscape, which included local arts initiatives and community events that often fostered creative interests among youth. However, documented accounts of his initial forays into , such as productions or , are not widely available.

Relocation to Scotland

After completing his schooling in England, where he was raised in , , James Anthony Pearson relocated to around the early 2000s to pursue at the . There, he holds a in and Physics. Following his university years in , Pearson moved to , which he established as his primary residence and long-term base. This decision was influenced by the burgeoning opportunities in Scotland's , allowing him to immerse himself in the local acting community. The relocation presented initial challenges, including the psychological pressures of transitioning from to an unpredictable and adapting to the physical demands of early productions, such as long filming hours. However, it also opened doors to the vibrant Scottish theatre scene, including work with regional groups like the Byre Theatre in , and access to opportunities through early television roles. These experiences laid the groundwork for his professional development in Scotland's cultural landscape.

Acting career

Theatre work

James Anthony Pearson began his theatre career with early roles that showcased his versatility in both dramatic and physical performances, often drawing on his training at institutions like the Scottish Youth Theatre and Edinburgh University Footlights. His debut in professional stage work included portraying Billy Casper in adaptations of Barry Hines' novel A Kestrel for a Knave (commonly known as Kes), a role that highlighted the character's raw emotional and physical struggles. Pearson first took on Billy in a 2009 production directed by Michael Winter at Perth Theatre, where he embodied the troubled youth navigating bullying and poverty. He reprised the role in 2011 with Catherine Wheels Theatre Company under Gill Robertson's direction, touring Scotland in a production praised for its stark portrayal of working-class life; critics noted Pearson's depiction of Billy as a "not-quite feral youth" who physically perched high on sets to evoke isolation and resilience. Among his notable early credits, Pearson played Baby John in a university production of West Side Story with Edinburgh University Footlights, a role demanding intricate dance sequences and the physicality of gang confrontations that underscored the musical's rhythmic intensity. This was followed by physically demanding pantomime and youth theatre roles, such as Pinocchio in Mark Thomson's 2006 adaptation at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, where Pearson's performance involved puppet-like movements and acrobatic elements to convey the character's transformation from wooden boy to real one; reviewers highlighted his energetic physicality as a standout feature. Pearson's theatre portfolio expanded to include more mature dramatic roles, amassing over 25 stage credits across Scottish and English venues. In Scottish theatres like the Tron and Royal Lyceum, he tackled complex characters requiring emotional depth and physical endurance, such as John in Mike Bartlett's Cock (2016, Tron Theatre, directed by Andy Arnold), where he portrayed a sexually conflicted man in a fast-paced, confrontational production; his performance was lauded for its petulant flair and physical expressiveness in intimate, circular staging that amplified relational tensions. Similarly, as Michael Brown (the Baron de la Grange) in Liz Lochhead's Thon Man Molière (2016, Royal Lyceum Theatre, directed by Tony Cownie), Pearson delivered a lascivious, agile portrayal of the young actor entangled in Molière's chaotic world, emphasizing the role's acrobatic and comedic demands in a farce blending historical drama with physical comedy. His work extended to English stages, including Lucius in Deborah Warner's Julius Caesar at the Barbican and Japheth in Not the End of the World at Bristol Old Vic, often involving ensemble dynamics and stunt-like action in historical or fantastical settings that tested his dramatic range and bodily precision. These roles, from feral adolescents to nimble performers in action-oriented plays, illustrate Pearson's emphasis on physically immersive theatre that conveys psychological intensity without relying on dialogue alone.

Television roles

Pearson's television career began with a prominent role in the BAFTA-winning children's drama , where he portrayed the central character Simon across three series on from 2002 to 2004, appearing in all 40 episodes. The series, created by Tim O'Mara, followed a group of Scottish schoolchildren investigating , earning acclaim for its adventurous storytelling and Pearson's performance as the group's leader. In 2003, he guest-starred as Angus Stewart in the fifth series of the family drama Monarch of the Glen, appearing in multiple episodes set in the . This role marked one of his early forays into more traditional period and rural narratives, contrasting the speculative elements of his debut. Later that year, Pearson took on the lead in the BBC's three-part miniseries adaptation of Kidnapped (2005), playing the young protagonist Davie Balfour in a story of betrayal and adventure based on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, directed by Brendan Maher. Pearson continued with guest appearances in established British series, including the role of Gordon Watts in an episode of the long-running ITV crime drama . In 2005, he appeared as Adrian Lucas in the BBC special Casualty @ , a crossover between the medical dramas Casualty and , and later as Dean in a Casualty episode. He also featured as Sam Garner in an installment of the BBC daytime soap Doctors. From 2010 to 2012, Pearson had a recurring role as Ed MacKenzie in the lesbian drama Lip Service, appearing in both series as a key navigating relationships in Glasgow's LGBTQ+ community. In , he played Reece McMurray in the first season of ITV's crime series , contributing to the investigation-led episode format. More recently, Pearson appeared as Lance Wallace in the first season of the Alibi and detective series (2021), a role that highlighted his versatility in contemporary procedural television.

Film roles

Pearson's breakthrough role in film came as , the guitarist of , in the 2007 biographical drama , directed by . The film chronicles the life and struggles of the band's lead singer , from his early days to his tragic at age 23, highlighting themes of personal turmoil, , and the pressures of fame in 1970s . He followed this with his first leading role as Sean MacDonald, a debt-ridden teenager ensnared in a deadly game orchestrated by wealthy antagonists, in the 2008 action thriller New Town Killers, directed by Richard Jobson. The film explores class disparity and moral corruption through a tense, 24-hour chase across . For this performance, Pearson received a nomination for Best Acting Performance in Film at the 2009 Awards, marking a significant step in his recognition within Scottish cinema. In 2019, Pearson lent his voice to the characters Donny and Valentine in the animated family adventure Princess Emmy, a German-Austrian production centered on a young girl's quest to save her kingdom using magical powers. He has also featured in shorter cinematic works, portraying Paley in the short film The Muse and Jack, a son caring for his dying mother amid a encounter with , in the 2012 short Death in a Nut, directed by Tom Chick. Additionally, Pearson starred in the 2014 music video for "Come Monday Night," the debut single from Stuart Murdoch's project .

Radio and audio work

Pearson's radio work began prominently with productions in the late 2000s, where he took on varied roles in afternoon plays that highlighted his versatility in tic narratives. In , he portrayed David in Tom Dalton Bidwell's Things to Do Before You Die, directed by Lu Kemp, a story exploring personal aspirations and mortality through a series of poignant encounters. The following year, Pearson played Hubert in Stephen Keyworth's Gondwanaland, directed by Kirsty Williams, a inspired by real-life friendships and set against themes of loss and connection in a changing world. These full-cast adaptations showcased his ability to convey emotional depth through voice alone, relying on to build tension and intimacy. Continuing with BBC Radio 4, Pearson appeared as Michael in Rob Evans's The Cracks in 2010, again under Kirsty Williams's direction, in a dark tale of colliding worlds and psychological strain between two men from contrasting backgrounds. That same year, he served as the reader for Anneliese Mackintosh's The Greengrocer's Apostrophe: Penny's from Heaven, directed by Eilidh McCreadie, delivering a quirky, introspective narrative on language and everyday absurdities in a solo dramatic reading format. His performances in these plays emphasized nuanced voice modulation, contributing to the medium's focus on auditory storytelling without visual cues. Beyond these Afternoon Plays, Pearson's radio portfolio includes diverse roles in other BBC productions. He voiced Simon in May There Be Sunshine by David Ian Neville, a reflective piece on hope and resilience. In the 2015 series Blood, Sex and Money adapting Émile Zola's works, he appeared in multiple roles across episodes, directed by Kirsty Williams, bringing intensity to historical and social critiques through multi-character dynamics. For the 2012 drama Hard Boiled Eggs and Nuts by Colin Hough, produced by Gaynor Macfarlane, Pearson portrayed in a biographical exploration of the comedian's early life and familial influences, highlighting his skill in comedic timing via radio. Additionally, in Bert Coules's 2011 murder mystery Early Belt and the Present, set in 1709 , he narrated and played the lead role of Early Belt, weaving historical intrigue with a full-cast ensemble. Pearson's audio work extends to audiobook narration, where his clear and evocative delivery suited literary adaptations. In 2008, as part of BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime series marking the 1968 season, he read Barry Hines's , a of a troubled boy and his that inspired the acclaimed 1969 film . Later, in a BBC Radio Scotland production directed by Eilidh McCreadie, he narrated Kent Haruf's , capturing the quiet intimacy of late-life companionship in a rural setting. These narrations underscored his range in dramatic readings, blending solo performance with the evocative power of prose to engage listeners in character-driven tales.

Writing career

Transition to screenwriting

After establishing himself as an actor through roles in theatre, television, and , James Anthony Pearson drew upon his extensive performance experience to inform his approach to storytelling in . His background in embodying characters on stage and screen, including notable performances such as Bernard Sumner in the 2007 film Control, provided a practical understanding of narrative structure, dialogue, and emotional depth that he later applied to crafting scripts. This foundation from personal experiences in the industry allowed him to transition his creative focus toward writing roles that authentically captured human complexities. Pearson's early writing efforts emerged in the late , following the peak of his acting career in the mid-2000s. In 2018, he was selected for the Writersroom TV Drama Writers' Programme, where he developed skills in television scriptwriting under mentorship from industry professionals. The following year, he participated in the Scottish Voices initiative, also run by the Writersroom, further honing his craft through focused workshops on drama development. These programs marked his initial steps into professional , building on informal writing explorations that had begun earlier. This shift was driven by Pearson's desire to create opportunities for underrepresented voices, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities, reflecting his passion for diverse and inclusive narratives. By channeling his acting insights into authorship, he sought to address gaps in representation that he had observed firsthand in the entertainment industry. Concurrently, he continued selective acting work, maintaining representation with United Agents for performance roles while securing literary agency through The Haworth Agency for his endeavors. This dual path enabled a balanced in his career, leveraging his established on-screen presence to support emerging behind-the-scenes contributions.

Key projects

Pearson's debut feature screenplay, Making Noise, centers on the life of Dame , the renowned deaf percussionist who became the world's first full-time solo professional percussionist. The script, commissioned by Banging the Drum, , and the BFI, explores Glennie's journey of overcoming profound to revolutionize classical music through innovative percussion techniques and performances. Directed by Hope Dickson Leach, with starring as Glennie and in a supporting role, the film is currently in (as of November 2025) and highlights themes of , sensory , and breaking barriers in the arts. Pearson's writing often emphasizes diverse narratives, particularly those amplifying LGBTQ+ stories and underrepresented experiences that challenge societal norms. This focus is evident in projects like The Matchmaker, an original drama series treatment and sample scenes commissioned by Studio Crook in 2023, which follows a housewife abandoning her loveless to pursue authentic self-discovery amid era-specific constraints. He draws from his roots in and life in to infuse scripts with authentic voices from these communities, prioritizing regional dialects, cultural nuances, and personal histories often overlooked in mainstream storytelling. Among his other credits, Pearson contributed to short scripts and pilots, including the commissioned pilot episode and series for My Life in Art (Channel X , 2021), a about an navigating the chaos of cultural funding and creative bureaucracy in a Scottish setting. He also developed Superfan (Balloon Entertainment), a series optioned with a commissioned , exploring obsessive and identity through underrepresented perspectives. These works underscore his commitment to character-driven stories that reflect lived experiences from marginalized groups.

Personal life

Family and residence

Pearson has resided in Glasgow, Scotland, on a long-term basis since relocating there following his studies. He lives with his and their two sons, identifying as a in his . Pearson balances his and writing career with responsibilities amid Glasgow's thriving creative environment.

Advocacy interests

James Anthony Pearson has expressed a strong commitment to LGBTQ+ representation in , drawing from his own experiences as a man in a long-term relationship. In a interview, he described his identity as "very much who I am," emphasizing a fluid spectrum of sexuality rather than rigid categories, which influences his approach to roles and storytelling that challenge traditional norms. Through his work as an and , Pearson advocates for amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, as noted by his agency. This commitment is evident in his writing, where he prioritizes inclusivity for LGBTQ+ communities and marginalized groups. Pearson engages publicly on , including via his X account @jampearson, where he shares insights into his life as an , , and father. His advocacy extends to projects like the for Making Noise, which centers the story of a deaf percussionist.

References

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    James Anthony Pearson | United Agents
    Played Bernard Sumner in the multi-award winning, hit cult movie CONTROL. Nominated for 2008 BAFTA Scotland Award for NEW TOWN KILLERS. Please see James' ...
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    James Anthony Pearson. Actor: Control. James Anthony Pearson ... Has a diploma in mathematics ... Studied mathematics for two years at Edinburgh University.
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    When I was in Edinburgh I used to cycle everywhere, but it's a lot more difficult now I live in Glasgow. ... James Anthony Pearson appears in the new BBC TV ...Missing: move | Show results with:move
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    Press Office - Kidnapped James Anthony Pearson plays Davie Balfour
    Feb 4, 2005 · Pearson describes Davie's story as a journey from boyhood to manhood: "Davie definitely begins as child. He's launched into the adult world and ...Missing: Bradford | Show results with:Bradford
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    Sep 18, 2011 · ... Billy (James Anthony Pearson) emerges from the shadows, perched high, like a bird against the monochrome backdrop, and whispering ...
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    Rating 7.6/10 (70,922) ... James Anthony Pearson and Harry Treadaway. Although Curtis has become one of rock's most mythologized figures, Riley plays him simply as a very innocent ...Full cast & crew · Parents guide · Bernard Sumner · 6 of 90Missing: theatre | Show results with:theatre
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    Rating 5.6/10 (1,889) New Town Killers: Directed by Richard Jobson. With James Anthony Pearson, Dougray Scott, Alastair Mackenzie, Charles Mnene. Alice owes the wrong kind of ...Missing: theatre | Show results with:theatre
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    14 3 2008 Friday 14:15 Things to Do before You Die By Tom Dalton Bidwell. ... James Anthony Pearson Priest ...... Stuart McQuarrie Munaza ...... Ayesha ...
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    Gondwanaland. Stephen Keyworth's drama inspired by the friendship between ... Crawford Logan Hubert ...... James Anthony Pearson. Typeepisode. © 2025 ...
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    BBC Radio 5 Live; BBC Radio ... Afternoon Play – The Cracks. Monday 6 September. 2.15-3.00pm BBC RADIO 4 ... The cast stars James Anthony Pearson as Michael ...
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    Nov 23, 2015 · Credits ; Lisa, Jodie McNee ; Florent, James Anthony Pearson ; Old Man, Jonathan Keeble ; Revolutionary, Jonathan Keeble.
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    Feb 11, 2016 · Lip Service star James Anthony Pearson, who plays John, suggests that linear sexuality is more a sub-theme of the play. “John doesn't really ...