James McAvoy

James McAvoy is a Scottish actor known for his versatile performances in film, television, and theater. McAvoy developed a passion for acting at a young age and began his career in the film industry in 1995. He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and gained early recognition for his role as Steve McBride in the first two seasons of the BAFTA-winning Channel 4 program "Shameless." His exceptional talent quickly caught the attention of filmmakers, paving the way for his successful career in cinema.

McAvoy rose to international fame with his compelling performance in the 2006 drama "The Last King of Scotland," in which he starred alongside Forest Whitaker. This role earned him the Best Actor award at Scotland's BAFTA Awards and a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. McAvoy’s ability to convey deep emotions and complex characters earned him critical acclaim and established him as a leading man in Hollywood. He further solidified his status as a versatile actor with standout roles in films such as "Atonement," for which he received a BAFTA nomination, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "Wanted," and "Split," where he played multiple personalities.

One of McAvoy's most notable roles is Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series, starting with "X-Men: First Class" in 2011 and including sequels like "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and "X-Men: Apocalypse." Additionally, he received widespread acclaim for his role as Lord Asriel in the fantasy series "His Dark Materials" from 2019 to 2022. In 2019, he starred as Bill Denbrough in the horror film "It Chapter Two." In 2024, McAvoy starred in "Speak No Evil," a remake of the 2022 Danish-Dutch film.

Beyond film, McAvoy has also made a significant impact on the stage, receiving accolades for his performances in productions such as "Macbeth," "The Ruling Class," and "Cyrano de Bergerac." His role in "Cyrano de Bergerac" also earned him multiple Laurence Olivier Award nominations for Best Actor and a What's On Stage award for Best Performer in a Male-Identifying Role.