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Lennie James

Lennie James

Actor, also writer and producer · Born October 11, 1965 (61) · Nottingham, England, UK

2 BAFTA Awards · 1 other major award body

Lennie James (born October 11, 1965) is an English actor and playwright known for his compelling performances across film, television, and theatre. Born in Nottingham, England, James has showcased his acting talent in diverse roles. He gained recognition for his performances in television series such as "Line of Duty" and "The Walking Dead," where his nuanced and intense portrayals stood out. James is also a prolific playwright, contributing to the stage with his writing skills. His ability to embody complex characters with depth and authenticity has earned him critical acclaim, establishing him as a respected and versatile figure in the entertainment industry.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 11, 1965 (61)
From
Nottingham, England, UK
Works as
Actor, also writer and producer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 72 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 1% in 30 days

What are Lennie James' films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
22%
Self
20%
Bonds
15%
Survival
15%
Society
13%
Power
11%
Ideas
4%
Identity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 15 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 15
Shadow
4 of 15
Hero
3 of 15
Trickster
2 of 15
Mentor
1 of 15
Shapeshifter
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Melancholic
11
Dread
7
Thrilling
7
Warm
6
Other
26

How their films linger

Thought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lennie James' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lennie James' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

72 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Anxious People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Mufasa: The Lion King(2024)

    as Obasi (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The End(2024)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Mr Loverman(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · Executive Producer · as Barrington Walker

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • There There(2022)

    as Restaurant Owner

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Mayor of Kingstown(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Frank Moses

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Invincible(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Darkwing (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway(2021)

    as Barnabas (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Save Me(2018)

    Show 12 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Nelson "Nelly" Rowe

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Girl on the Roof (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Thief

  • The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Morgan Jones / Sir Fred Livingston III (voice)

  • Blade Runner 2049(2017)

    as Mister Cotton

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Genius(2017)

    Show 5 episodes · as Martin Luther King Sr.

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Double Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Chamon

  • Fear the Walking Dead(2015)

    Show 76 episodes · Director · as Morgan Jones

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Critical(2015)

    Show 13 episodes · as Mr. Glen Boyle

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Get on Up(2014)

    as Joe Brown

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Swelter(2014)

    as Bishop

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Low Winter Sun(2013)

    Show 10 episodes · as Joe Geddes

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Richard

  • Line of Duty(2012)

    Show 5 episodes · as Tony Gates

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Lockout(2012)

    as Harry Shaw

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Colombiana(2011)

    as Special Agent Ross

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Mob Rules (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as C-Note

  • The Next Three Days(2010)

    as Lieutenant Nabulsi

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Walking Dead(2010)

    Show 52 episodes · as Morgan Jones

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Human Target(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as Baptiste

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Prisoner(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as 147

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Three Rivers(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Archer(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Ibadan Peters (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Hung(2009)

    Show 10 episodes · as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Terry 'Tel' Marsh

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Fallout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as DS Joe Stephens

  • Outlaw(2007)

    as Cedric Munroe

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The State Within(2006)

    Show 4 episodes · as Luke Gardner

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Jericho(2006)

    Show 29 episodes · as Robert Hawkins

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • 1976: Summer of... Heat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Family Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • My Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet for a New Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator

  • ShakespeaRe-Told(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Born With Two Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Errol Bridges

  • Sahara(2005)

    as General Zateb Kazim

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Frances Tuesday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Trent

  • Working Shakespeare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • Buried (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 8 episodes · as Lee Kingley

  • MI-5(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as David Newman

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • 24 Hour Party People(2002)

    as Alan

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Martins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as PC Alex

  • Lucky Break(2001)

    as Rudy

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Announcement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Richard

  • Snatch(2000)

    as Sol

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Miracle Maker(1999)

    as Gaius Velius Quintilus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Storm Damage(2000)

    Writer · as Bonaface

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Deja Vu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mark

  • Shockers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Mark

  • Elephant Juice(1999)

    as Graham

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Danny

  • Cold Feet(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kris Bumstead

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Undercover Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 6 episodes · as Matt Lomas

  • Among Giants(1998)

    as Shovel

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Les Misérables(1998)

    as Enjolras

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Lost in Space(1998)

    as Jeb Walker

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Thief Takers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

  • Out of the Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 12 episodes · as DC Bruce Hannaford

  • Fathers, Sons and Unholy Ghosts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Martin

  • Comics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Delroy Smith

  • A Touch of Frost(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as DC Carl Tanner

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Civvies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · as Cliff Morgan

  • Chilling Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lennie

  • Between The Cracks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Writer · as Lennie

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • U.S. Attorney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 70 of them dated from 1986 to 2024; peak year 2001.

Biggest box office

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)

$154M worldwide

Highest rated

Snatch (2000)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Fear the Walking Dead (2015)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutAward win
19862024

Peak 2001 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting72 of 72: 67 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score75thDirecting1 of 72: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting3 of 72: 0 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing2 of 72: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew1 of 72: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

72 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1980s2 · 2 acting · 1 crew1990s16 · acting2000s26 · 26 acting · 1 crew2010s19 · 19 acting · 2 crew2020s7 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
980313

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 BAFTA Awards from 5 major nominations, 2001–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best New Scripted Series
  2. 2025
    • BAFTA Award, won · Leading Actor
  3. 2021
    • BAFTA Award, won · Drama Series
  4. 2001
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Single Drama

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Lennie James' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 21; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved12
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor, writer

Storm Damage (2000)

84th percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Line of Duty (2012)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lennie James' work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles31–79 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles17–67 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity11 titles31–87 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles9–60 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense11 titles30–69 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Lennie James work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lennie James' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Sam Miller shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers