James Nelson-Joyce, best known for playing gang leader Michael Kavanagh in BBC's This City is Ours, returns to screens this month as the hit drama airs its second series. The 37-year-old Liverpudlian has risen rapidly since his scene-stealing turn in A Thousand Blows, with speculation he could become the next James Bond. Away from the screen, his life includes a former fiancée from Coronation Street and a chance meeting with Stephen Graham in Nando's.
Early life and dyslexia diagnosis
James grew up in Walton Vale and attended Archbishop Beck Catholic College in North Liverpool, later studying at The City of Liverpool College. He left school without formal qualifications, not realising he was dyslexic until later in life.
His English teacher Emma Griffiths spotted his potential and encouraged him to study acting. He previously told The Guardian: "It wasn't until I got to drama school that I got diagnosed. I was performing a speech for a play and the director noticed that I wasn't picking up the punctuation. The school put me forward for assessment, which found that I was severely dyslexic."
Earlier this year, when James received a BAFTA nomination, the ECHO spoke to his former school. He wasn't the only ex-pupil nominated: Ellis Howard also walked the red carpet at the ceremony in London in May. Both were nominated in the Best Lead Actor category.
Emma told the ECHO how proud she is to see two former students excel. She said: "What are the chances that two students from Archbishop Beck Catholic College would be in the same category [at the BAFTAs]? To see that, you're just in absolute awe. It makes us do what we do. Teaching is challenging, without a shadow of a doubt, but it's so rewarding when you see people do well. That sustains us, enthuses us and keeps us going."
Speaking about James' class, she said: "I will remember that class with a very warm heart. I do remember each and every one of those individuals. You're always looking around for people to read in class or take part in plays. Sometimes, there is a reluctance for people to take part, but James was always eager to stand up there. It wasn't just me. It was the students in the room that were impacted by what he read and how he performed, whether it was Shakespeare or An Inspector Calls. He was just so naturally gifted."
Meeting Stephen Graham in Nando's
After leaving drama school, James bumped into Stephen Graham in Nando's. Recalling the moment, James said: "I'd just left drama school and saw Stephen Graham in Nando's with Hannah [Walters, his wife]. If it was anyone else, I'd never have gone over but Stephen was my idol. So I just said, 'Look, lovely to meet you. You're the reason I got into acting.' I told them to enjoy their dinner and sat back down. A bit later, Hannah came over and went: 'There's something about you. You remind me of Stephen when he was younger. Here's our email.'"
Two years later, he made his acting debut alongside Stephen in Little Boy Blue, playing teen gang member James Yates while Stephen portrayed Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly. Stephen remembered the interaction: James said: "At the table reading, I felt these two eyes burning into the side of my head and it was Stephen. He whispered 'You're that lad from Nando's, yeah?' and gave me a thumbs up. It was the biggest pat on the back I could've got."
The pair later reunited on Jimmy McGovern's Time and Disney Plus's A Thousand Blows. James then landed the lead role of Michael Kavanagh in This City is Ours, which first aired on the BBC in early 2025.
Coronation Street star ex and Love Island romance
James keeps his private life relatively under wraps but was previously engaged to Coronation Street actress and jazz singer Olivia Frances Brown. Olivia, 27, made her debut as Jodie Ramsey during the "Corriedale" crossover special between Coronation Street and Emmerdale. At the time, James re-shared a post on Instagram to show support for his partner, adding two love heart emojis alongside a photo of her in character.
Olivia and James were in a relationship for many years, often sharing aspects of their life together on social media, but their relationship appears to have ended this year. The former couple were spotted together on the docks in March, visiting The Daffodil, the former Mersey Ferry now berthed in Canning Dock as a floating bar and restaurant.
In the summer, former Love Island star Samantha Kenny hinted she was dating James shortly after he broke off his engagement. Samantha teased the romance in a TikTok posted in May, sharing a video of a mystery man applying her lip liner. The man's face was not shown, but his voice could be heard. Samantha added the words: "Bafta nominee turned MUA", confirming fans' guesses. Fans could hear his Scouse accent as he said: "I can't do it when you're talking, can I?"
Fans "confirmed" the man was James Nelson-Joyce. One said: "Oh we all recognise that voice" and another said: "Definitely James you lucky lady lol." But in July, Samantha confirmed she was single again in a TikTok post from Ibiza, captioned: "It's a hot girl summer." One fan wrote: "She's single" while a second replied: "How is this beautiful woman single!!" Samantha has since confirmed she is in a new relationship but hasn't shared photos of her new beau.
This City is Ours series two
The BBC recently confirmed the release date for This City is Ours series two. The award-winning drama returns this month, with James seen in the trailer reprising his role as Michael Kavanagh alongside Hannah Onslow as Diana Williams, Michael's partner. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from Sunday, October 25, and the series will air Sunday and Monday nights at 9pm on BBC One from the same date.
Series two picks up where series one ended. Michael and Diana have barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back to answer questions around Ricardo's death. Back in Liverpool, tensions continue among the remaining gang members, while an old school gangster from Ronnie's era, recently out of prison, wants compensation from the firm.
New cast members seen in the trailer include Shaun Evans (Until I Kill You, Endeavour) as former gangster Ozzie Thompson, and Álvaro Morte (Money Heist, Immaculate, The Wheel of Time) as Felipe Guzman, a Colombian cartel member and younger brother of Ricardo, murdered at the end of the first series. Returning cast include Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan, Mike Noble as Banksey, Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan, Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy, Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford, Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan, Adam Abbou as Freddie, and Bobby Schofield as Bonehead.
This City is Ours series two airs Sunday, October 25 at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
