James Norton is known as one of the friendliest people in the entertainment industry, but his good reputation is now at risk.
The actor, who currently appears in the Netflix drama *The House of Guinness* and the BBC1 series *King & Conqueror*, recently talked about things that bother him.
He criticized the recent practice of popular actors also being credited as executive producers. He suggested this is frequently used to justify higher salaries for those stars.
He didn’t mention who won the award, but his co-star Sarah Lancashire was recognized for her work on the crime drama *Happy Valley*, as was Robson Green for *Grantchester*.
Norton expressed his frustration with a common practice in the entertainment industry. He pointed out that many actors who are listed as ‘executive producers’ don’t actually fulfill the responsibilities of that role.
Okay, look, I’ve been following this person for *years*, and honestly, they just laid it all out there! They were talking about how some people slap an ‘Executive Producer’ credit on things, but don’t actually *do* anything. And they’re not trying to be mean, but they’ve always fully produced their own shows – they’re hands-on, they *work*. It’s just… refreshing to hear someone say it, you know? So many people just take the credit without earning it, and this person? They actually *do* the work! It’s amazing, honestly. They’re so real!
The actors’ representative often asks for an executive producer credit during contract negotiations, perhaps after reviewing an early version of the script. The level of involvement that earns such a credit can vary.
He breaks off and jokes: ‘I am a vicious backstabber.’
Well, James… you said it!
He dislikes being labeled as ‘posh’ and has expressed this frustration previously. He explains that people in this country tend to categorize others based on class and race, which he finds incredibly annoying.
Actors sometimes fall into a pattern where they become known for a specific look or voice, and then they’re repeatedly cast in similar roles, limiting their range.
He believes playing the dangerous Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley was crucial for changing his career path. He worried he’d be forever typecast as a charming, but ultimately unremarkable, actor, and that role allowed him to break free from that expectation.
Since then, Norton has continued to impress with his versatility by starting his own production company, Rabbit Track Pictures. Through it, he’s executive produced three dramas: *Rogue Agent* in 2022, and *Playing Nice* and *King & Conqueror* this year.
He and Robson Green became very close friends while filming Grantchester. When he decided to leave the show, he publicly shared his affection and respect for Robson, saying they had a strong friendship.
Reflecting on his final episodes, he explained that the close bond between Sidney and Geordie heavily influenced those scenes. Both actors, Robson and James, and their characters were going through a difficult, emotional farewell. He found it easy to portray this sadness because it genuinely mirrored the feelings surrounding their departures from the show.
His relationship with Sarah Lancashire isn’t as well-known, but he formed strong bonds with many of his other co-stars on Happy Valley.
Some people watching ‘The House of Guinness’ have commented on Norton’s Irish accent for his role as foreman Sean Rafferty. However, the actor, a theology graduate from Cambridge University, explains that he fully commits to an accent if a character requires one, believing that a voice is a powerful way to quickly embody a person. He feels that a character’s voice is a key part of bringing them to life.
On Friday’s Graham Norton Show, he admitted he was very worried about not doing the role justice. He explained he put a lot of effort into it and didn’t want to be criticized. His biggest challenge was losing the character’s accent because he’d grown so fond of playing them.
He plans to return to the stage, following his critically acclaimed performance in the 2023 adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara’s *A Little Life*, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination.
He explained that he’s determined to continue prioritizing theater, even though it’s challenging to fit into his schedule. He feels lucky to have opportunities with his shows, but making time for theater requires a lot of advance planning. He emphasized how much he needs and values it, calling it a truly powerful experience.
Right now, I’m in a show where they use five cameras, which lets them edit out any mistakes. I really enjoy making films, and it’s good to know you always have another chance to get the shot right.
‘In theatre you have to rely on your craft and you feel so nourished by it.’
He describes acting as the best job imaginable, but admits it can feel silly at times. He jokes about the contrast between his work – pretending to charge down hills – and his sister’s serious profession as a doctor.
Again, James… no arguments.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- PUBG Mobile or BGMI A16 Royale Pass Leaks: Upcoming skins and rewards
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- Clash Royale Season 77 “When Hogs Fly” November 2025 Update and Balance Changes
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Kingdom Rush Battles Tower Tier List
- Delta Force Best Settings and Sensitivity Guide
- How To Romance Morgen In Tainted Grail: The Fall Of Avalon
- 🚀 Shiba Inu’s $0.00001 Dream: Will It Bark Back or Roll Over? 🐶
- Will Bitcoin Keep Climbing or Crash and Burn? The Truth Unveiled!
2025-10-08 14:06