Inside Nottingham actor Lennie James' life from US breakthrough to family loss

Lennie James has become a familiar face on British TV, but international viewers will know him as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise

Nottingham's very own Lennie James has been a familiar face on British TV for many years. Trained in London, he featured in popular series such as Line Of Duty, Jericho, Spooks, and Save Me.

Internationally, he's best recognised for his portrayal of Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead, a wise character that overcomes personal heartbreak to be a moral compass for Rick and engage others to not resort to violence to solve problems.

Now aged 59, James takes on the role of Barry in Mr Loverman, a closeted man grappling with the prospect of coming out to his family while dealing with a clandestine relationship with his best mate Morris.

On why he was drawn to the role, Lennie James remarked: "Any actor who saw and read Barry would like to play him as a character. He's everything that would excite an actor complicated, funny, a good dresser and harsh."

"He's also a contradiction - loyal but disloyal, a good and bad husband, a good and bad father, a good and bad man.

"He loves and hates in equal measure. Every part of him is really interesting to me and would be to any actor. The opportunity to play him was a real no-brainer."

The entire series of Mr Loverman is set to be released on BBC iPlayer on Monday, October 14. Here we take a look into Lennie James' life, his early heartbreak, career breakthrough and his new life abroad.

Early life and career

Lennie James, born in Nottingham to Trinidadian parents, later moved to South London. Following the death of his mother, he and his brother were placed in a council children's home, where they lived for an extended period.

Although he showed some interest in rugby, it was the theatre that truly captivated him. He completed his studies at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1988 and has been consistently employed in the industry since then.

His play Trial and Error, submitted to the National Youth Theatre-Texaco Playwriting Competition, earned him the title of Most Prominent Playwright Under 21. After his theatre stint, Lennie James made his television debut in shows like A Touch of Frost, Cold Feet and Undercover Heart.

Drawing from his personal experiences in the care system, he wrote the critically acclaimed autobiographical film Storm Damage in 2000. This poignant drama won him a Royal Television Society award the following year.

Lennie James continued to grace the small screen with appearances in Spooks, Buried, Jericho, Hung, Save Me and as the corrupt police officer DCI Tony Gates in Line of Duty.

Lennie James' US breakthrough with The Walking Dead

He is perhaps best known for his role as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise, becoming an immediate fan favourite from his first appearance in the pilot episode.

The British actor later joined the spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead between 2018 and 2023, even directing three episodes.

Film aficionados will be familiar with Lennie James from his appearances in a variety of films, including 24 Hour Party People, Sahara, and Blade Runner 2049, and he is set to voice Obasi in the upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King.

Family heartbreak and time with his brother in foster care

Lennie was just 10 years old when his mother Phyllis died, and he was sent to live in a south London children’s home with his older brother Kester. That sudden and devastating change, he admits, had a profound effect.

But the years that followed, and the upbringing he received, he says, have led him to conclude that the “generosity of strangers” helped make him the person he is now. "The fear and vulnerability of going into care is etched in my memory,” Lennie said.

"But I owe such a debt of gratitude to the staff who looked after us and then to my foster family for taking responsibility for who I was going to be.

"I benefited from the generosity of strangers. We were not blood related but they looked after me in the best way they could. These were people who had no obligation to do any of the things they did and I’m very lucky they did.

"They helped shape who I am today and they showed how a child’s future doesn’t have to be defined by their past."

By his own admission, life at the children’s home in Tooting was highly regimented, but also chaotic. Lennie James recalled staff members would donate their own money to pay for Christmas presents and ensure the children were well looked after.

Lennie James has candidly shared that he was quite the handful during his teenage years, leading him to move in with a foster family at 15. His experiences have inspired him to become an ambassador for Barnardo's, advocating for children in and leaving care.

Is Lennie James married?

James is happily married to Giselle Glasman, an actor and publicist. The couple have three daughters, Romy and twins Celine and Georgia, and they live in Los Angeles.

The actor fondly recalls meeting his wife during their teenage years in youth theatre, which led to a memorable moment he shared with The Guardian: "I met my wife in youth theatre when we were 18, which meant that our first kiss was in the rehearsal room."

"I've never been more frightened to kiss somebody and I've never been so happy once I was doing it."

The star is very much a family man and in 2015, he said his perfect evening would “involve me cooking, friends and family around the table laughing, red wine and it going very late into the night”.

James is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur.