James Nesbitt OBE

James Nesbitt is one of the UK’s most popular and familiar screen actors. Cold Feet made him a household name and he has since excelled in everything from Gothic horror to comedy to gritty drama. On the big screen he’s starred opposite Ralph Fiennes in Coriolanus, and played a dwarf in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit films.

Early recognition of his acting talent in his native Northern Ireland, led to drama school in London and small parts in TV staples like Boon and Lovejoy. James’s break came with the BBC’s comedy drama, Ballykissangel. Playing Dervla Kirwan’s ex gave him the chance to display a roguish charm that would make him a star. He went on to appear in numerous plays including Paddywack, Translations, As You Like It, Philadelphia Here I Come and Can't Pay, Won't Pay.

Following his television roles, James worked on his first film, Hear My Song. This led to roles in Michael Winterbottom’s Jude, and Welcome to Sarajevo. After more TV work, including Playing the Field, Touching Evil and Jekyll, he gained wider recognition in the film Waking Ned, playing the loveable pig farmer Finn. Since then he’s starred in The Hobbit trilogy, the widely-praised series The Missing, police drama Babylon, and Stan Lee's Lucky Man, as well as returning to Cold Feet.

James won a British Independent Film Award as Best Actor in Bloody Sunday, as well as Best Actor at the Stockholm Film Festival and a BAFTA nomination. He has also received a British Comedy Award, and others for his roles in Cold Feet and Murphy's Law.