James trained as an actor At the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After acting and directing theatre, he wrote and directed ‘Ulysses’, a children’s rock opera, which had a sell-out run At the Rainbow theatre, was filmed for BBC Television and won the Italian International Children’s Film Award.

He has written music for records, television and films. Television programmes include ‘Noel’s House Party’, ‘Spitting Image’, ‘Through the Keyhole’, Feature film ‘Blood Tide’, Linda La Plante’s award winning drama, ‘Hidden Talents’ and many major commercials. James has worked with Tina Turner, Nils Lofgren from the E Street band and Earth Wind and Fire and the Phoenix Horns. Television appearances include ‘Noel’s House Party’ and the drama ‘Call Me Mister’.

He has produced series for ITV and Channel Four as well as developing projects in North America with HBO and USA Network, and in 2003 co-created with Objective Television, the successful Channel 4, ‘Bedsitcom’ which was nominated for a 2004 Rose D’Or award. He also produced a Past Life Regression series ‘Time Traveller’ for ITV television, starring celebrities and members of the public.

James has been involved in producing/exec producing, directing and writing in the film industry for over twenty years, with a total of over thirty films including the Merchant Of Venice, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes, Head In The Clouds, starring Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz, The Bridge of San Luis Rey starring Robert DeNiro, Kathy Bathes, Harvey Keitel and Gabriel Byrne, A Different Loyalty, starring Sharon Stone and Rupert Everett, and The Statement starring Michael Caine. The River King starring Ed Burns and Jennifer Ehle, Guy X starring Jason Biggs, Perfect Creature starring Dougray Scott and Saffron Burrows and Beowolf starring Gerard Butler.

BAFTA Nomination; ‘The Merchant of Venice’ which had a Royal Premiere in the presence of HRH The King Charles 111.

James Produced the British comedy ‘Run For Your Wife’ from the international hit play by Ray Cooney, featuring a celebrity cast, including Danny Dyer, Sarah Harding, Denise Van Outen, Neil Morrissey, Dame Judi Dench and Cliff Richard.

James has given masterclasses at the New York University Film School, the Nashville Film Institute, and the Reel Scene acting school in London.

He wrote, produced and directed the award winning psychological horror film ‘Definition of Fear’ starring the Bollywood Star Jacqueline Fernandez and Katherine Barrell (Wynonna Earp) filmed in Canada. Jacqueline has over 80 million social media followers.

James produced the film ‘SLY’, directed by Garfield Clairmonte in Amsterdam released in 2022. 

James has co-directed end of 2025 ‘Jack Stall Dead’, an action thriller feature film starring; Natasha Henstridge (Species), Lee Charles (Gangs of London), Chris Browning (Westworld), Iulia Vantur (Race 3) and Ali Jacko to be released internationally 2026.

James has written and is producing ‘Love and Pride’ an ‘LGBTQ’ love drama, about two passionate women and a one night stand that sends their lives into a spin! This is to be filmed mid 2026 in London and Amsterdam.

James lectured at the European School of Economics late 2025, on their MBA film degree in Film Industry Management.