British actor Theo James has candidly discussed the anxieties of ageing in Hollywood and his position as a frontrunner to become the next James Bond, a role he admits he had to fight for despite his success.
The Existential Weight of a Milestone Birthday
As he approached his fortieth birthday last December, the Oxford-born actor, now 41, confessed to feeling a sense of dread. James revealed that working in an industry which places a premium on youth made the milestone feel 'existentially seismic'. He told The Sunday Times Style, 'I thought I didn’t give a sh*t, but then when I turned 40 it was kind of more existentially seismic than I thought.'
He elaborated on the pressures of a visually-driven world, stating, 'This industry - not only this industry but the world we live in - is more and more visual. People, everything, is filtered. It’s definitely something that plays on your mind.' However, James also sees value in the experience that age brings, adding, 'I think people like to see history in someone’s face and someone’s personality. So literal and metaphorical lines on the face are interesting because they tell a story.'
From Household Name to Bond Contender
James has become a household name through a string of acclaimed television roles. Prominent parts in 'The Time Traveller's Wife' and the critically adored 'The White Lotus' catapulted him into the spotlight, before his lead role in Guy Ritchie's hit Netflix drama, 'The Gentleman', cemented his status as one of Britain's most in-demand acting talents.
Despite his rising fame, James, who celebrates his 41st birthday on December 16, insists he takes nothing for granted. This is a mindset he is determined to pass on to his two young children with his wife, actress Ruth Kearney. 'Again, it’s cheesy, because at the time, you do not feel like this - I’ve not felt like this many times - but it’s OK to fail,' he said. 'I want to impress that on my own kids. You don’t always need to win. Failure and success should be hand in hand because they shape you as a person.'
The Relentless Hustle Behind the Success
Speaking about his role as the bullish financier Cameron in 'The White Lotus', James dispelled the myth that success in acting comes easily. 'People think once you've "made it", the doors just swing open. But the truth is, you're always hustling,' he explained. 'Even with The White Lotus, I had to fight for that role. There's this balance between what you want and what the industry thinks you should want.'
He was drawn to the character of Cameron precisely because of the 'gnawing sense of insecurity' hidden beneath the arrogant bravado. 'I've always been drawn to the contradictions in people. It's the flaws that make a character interesting. I suppose the same could be said about us all,' James added.
Now, the actor finds himself tipped as a favourite to fill Daniel Craig's shoes as the next James Bond. Craig was 38 when he debuted in 'Casino Royale', and James, at 40, possesses the chiselled looks many associate with 007. However, his age may be a factor if the franchise's new owners, Amazon, decide to cast a younger actor for a reboot. A TV insider suggested, 'They're now looking at his story as younger man in a different era.' For James, it seems, the hustle continues.
