Mr Loverman star Lennie James' life from family heartbreak to career breakthrough

Actor Lennie James has become a staple of British television and is set to star in new BBC drama Mr Loverman.

A versatile actor with an impressive career, he has appeared in memorable roles across hit series like Line Of Duty, Jericho, Spooks, and Save Me.

Lennie James is widely recognised internationally for his portrayal of Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise, a wise character that overcomes personal heartbreak to be a moral compass for Rick and engage others to not resort to violence to solve problems.

James, now 59, takes on a new challenge as Barry in Mr Loverman. In this role, he bravely addresses the challenges of coming out to his family while juggling a clandestine romance with his best mate Morris.

Asked why Lennie took on the role, Lennie James said: "Any actor who saw and read Barry would like to play him as a character. He's everything that would excite an actor - complicated, funny, a good dresser and harsh.

"He's also a contradiction - loyal but disloyal, a good and bad husband, a good and bad father, a good and bad man.

"He loves and hates in equal measure. Every part of him is really interesting to me and would be to any actor. The opportunity to play him was a real no-brainer."

As BBC iPlayer releases the full series of Mr Loverman on Monday, October 14, we cover the life of Lennie James from his initial struggles, career milestones, and his ventures beyond Britain.

Lennie James was born in Nottingham to Trinidadian parents and later raised in South London. After the death of his mother, he and his brother were placed in a council children's home where they spent many years.

Although he had an interest in rugby, it was the theatre that captured his attention. He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London in 1988 and has since been steadily appeared in plays, TV and film.

His play Trial and Error won him the Most Prominent Playwright Under 21 award at the National Youth Theatre-Texaco Playwriting Competition. Following his theatre work, Lennie James made his television debut in shows such as A Touch of Frost, Cold Feet and Undercover Heart.

Drawing on his personal experiences in the care system, he wrote the critically acclaimed autobiographical film Storm Damage in 2000. This poignant drama earned him a Royal Television Society award the following year.

Lennie James continued to make appearances in popular TV series like Spooks, Buried, Jericho, Hung, Save Me and played the corrupt police officer DCI Tony Gates in Line of Duty.

His most notable role is arguably Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead franchise, which quickly made him a fan favourite from his first appearance in the pilot episode in 2010.

The British actor later joined the spin-off Fear the Walking Dead between 2018 and 2023, even directing three episodes.

Film enthusiasts may recognise Lennie James from a variety of roles including 24 Hour Party People, Sahara, Blade Runner 2049 and he will be the voice of Obasi in Mufasa: The Lion King.

Lennie was only 10 years old when his mother Phyllis passed away, leading him to be placed in a children's home in south London with his older brother Kester.

That sudden and devastating change, he admits, had a profound effect.

But the years that followed, and the upbringing he received, he says, have led him to conclude that the "generosity of strangers" helped make him the person he is now. "The fear and vulnerability of going into care is etched in my memory," Lennie said.

"But I owe such a debt of gratitude to the staff who looked after us and then to my foster family for taking responsibility for who I was going to be.

"I benefited from the generosity of strangers. We were not blood related but they looked after me in the best way they could. These were people who had no obligation to do any of the things they did and I'm very lucky they did.

"They helped shape who I am today and they showed how a child's future doesn't have to be defined by their past."

By his own admission, life at the children's home in Tooting was highly regimented, but also chaotic. Lennie James recalled staff members would donate their own money to pay for presents and ensure the children were well looked after.

Lennie admitted he was a bit of a handful in his teens and he moved to live with a foster family at the age of 15. The actor has since become a Barnardo's ambassador for children in and leaving care.

Yes, James is happily married to Giselle Glasman, an actor and publicist. The couple shares three daughters, Romy and twins Celine and Georgia, and have made their home in Los Angeles.

The Walking Dead star fondly recalls meeting his wife during their youth theatre days, describing her as the "greatest love" of his life.

In a heartfelt revelation to The Guardian in 2019, he reminisced: "I met my wife in youth theatre when we were 18, which meant that our first kiss was in the rehearsal room."

He continued, expressing the intensity of the moment: "I've never been more frightened to kiss somebody and I've never been so happy once I was doing it."

A devoted family man, James once shared that his ideal evening would be one spent at home, stating in 2015: "involve me cooking, friends and family around the table laughing, red wine and it going very late into the night".

Despite his international success, James remains 'true' to his London roots, proudly supporting Tottenham Hotspur.