James Harkness (actor)

James Harkness is a Scottish actor. He is known for his roles as Craig Myers in the BBC crime drama The Victim (2019),^[1] as James in BBC drama The Nest (2020)^[2] and footballer Jimmy Love in the Netflix drama The English Game (2020)^[3] and the Sky Original Gangs of London.

James Harkness
Born	James Harkness Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2012–present
Spouse	Tanya Harkness
Children	1

Early life

Harkness was raised by his mother in a deprived household in the Gorbals area of Glasgow.^[4] He studied at King's Park Secondary School and took an interest in drama from an early age.^[4] At the age of 18, he suffered arm injuries from being struck with an axe (a weapon he brought to a confrontation relating to a stolen mobile phone), which later caused panic attacks when he passed the location of the incident – Pollokshaws – or even saw someone walking with a phone.^[5]

Harkness was chosen by BAFTA as part of their BAFTA Elevate 2019 group programme which provides a support and network to aspiring young actors.^[4]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2015	Macbeth	Angus
	The Program	Wayne
2016	Rogue One: A Star Wars Story	Private Basteren
2017	Darkest Hour	A.D. Nicholl
2018	Wild Rose	Elliot
2021	Spencer	Footman Paul
2022	Poison Arrows	Terry McClean
2023	Betrayal	Miller

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2014	Silent Witness	Jerome Nelson	2 episodes
	Unforgettable	Rudy	Episode: "A Stray Bullet"
2015	Suspects	Eddie Mulville	Episode: "AWOL"
2016	Retribution	Matt	Episode: "The Storm"
	In Plain Sight	Joe Brannan	2 episodes
2017	Tin Star	Foxy	Episode: "Fortunate Boy"
2019	The Victim	Craig Myers	Main role
2020	The Nest	James	Main role
	The English Game	Jimmy Love	Main role
	Gangs of London	Kev	2 episodes
2021	Anne Boleyn	William Kingston	2 episodes
2022	Raised by Wolves	Tamerlane	5 episodes
2023	The Sixth Commandment	DS Richard Earl	Supporting role[6]
2025	The Bombing of Pan Am 103	DS Sandy Gay	[7]