Contents
Last updated on the 23 March 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 21 April 1979, Glasgow, Scotland.
James McAvoy grew up in a Roman Catholic household. His parents separated when he was seven and he was raised by his maternal grandparents in Drumchapel, Glasgow. McAvoy briefly considered joining the priesthood during his youth, inspired by the idea of missionary work. However, his path took a different turn when actor David Hayman visited his school and sparked his interest in acting. McAvoy attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School and later graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2000.
James McAvoy’s acting career began at the age of 15 with a role in “The Near Room” (1995). He gained recognition for his television work in series like “State of Play” (2003) and “Shameless” (2004–2005). His film career took off with his portrayal of Mr. Tumnus in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005). McAvoy’s performances in “The Last King of Scotland” (2006) and “Atonement” (2007) earned him critical acclaim and BAFTA nominations. He is widely known for his role as Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” series, starting with “X-Men: First Class” (2011). Other notable works include “Split” (2016), where he showcased his versatility by portraying a character with 23 personalities and its sequel “Glass” (2019). McAvoy has also excelled in theatre, earning multiple Laurence Olivier Award nominations.
In his personal life, James McAvoy married actress Anne-Marie Duff in 2006, with whom he shares a son, Brendan. The couple divorced in 2016 but remained amicable. McAvoy later married Lisa Liberati in 2022. Known for his charitable endeavours, he has supported organisations like the British Red Cross.
Suggested viewing
Atonement (2007)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8
Set in the summer of 1935 in the English countryside, Atonement follows the story of Briony Tallis, a precocious young writer who mistakenly accuses her older sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit. As a result of her false accusation, Robbie Turner is sent to prison and Cecilia Tallis is sent to a convent, her love for Robbie forever thwarted. Tragically, the consequences of Briony’s actions reverberate through the years, shaping the lives of those involved and leaving an indelible mark on their collective destinies.
Top cast: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn, Vanessa Redgrave, Juno Temple, Benedict Cumberbatch, Harriet Walter.
Early Doors (2003)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.6
Set in the Grapes pub in Stockport, “Early Doors” captures the mundane yet charming lives of the pub’s regulars. Joe and Duffy, the resident jack-the-lads, navigate the complexities of love and relationships, while landlord Ken deals with the everyday challenges of running the pub and his own personal struggles. From blocked urinals to awkward encounters, the series offers a lighthearted and relatable look at the lives of ordinary people in an ordinary pub.
Top cast: John Henshaw, Craig Cash, Phil Mealey, Rita May, Christine Bottomley, Peter Wight, James Quinn, Mark Benton, Lorraine Cheshire, James McAvoy.
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.6
In the heart of 1970s Uganda, young Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan arrives on the day of Idi Amin’s coup d’état. Initially drawn to the charismatic dictator’s magnetism, Garrigan becomes Amin’s personal physician, gaining intimate access to the inner workings of his oppressive regime. As Amin’s brutality escalates, Garrigan grapples with his complicity, forced to confront the horrifying realities of his power-hungry protector.
Top cast: James McAvoy, Forest Whittaker, Simon McBurney, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, David Oyelowo, Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga, Adam Kotz, Barbara Rafferty.
His Dark Materials (2019)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8
In a parallel world where everyone has an animal companion called a daemon, young orphan Lyra Belacqua embarks on a perilous quest to find a mysterious substance called Dust, which the oppressive Magisterium is determined to suppress. Aided by her daemon Pantalaimon and a newfound friend, Will Parry, Lyra delves into a world of magic, danger and self-discovery, challenging the very foundations of her reality.
Top cast: Dafne Keen, Amir Wilson, Ruth Wilson, Will Keen, James McAvoy, Kit Connor, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lewin Lloyd, Ariyon Bakare, Simone Kirby.
Filth (2013)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
In the gritty underbelly of Edinburgh, Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson is a corrupt, drug-addled, manipulative misanthrope, driven by a relentless thirst for power and a desperate need to win back his estranged wife and daughter. As he pursues a promotion to Detective Inspector, his moral compass shatters, and he embarks on a downward spiral of self-destruction, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination.
Top cast: James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots, Joanne Froggatt, Jim Broadbent, Brian McCardie, Emun Elliott, Gary Lewis.
