--- name: "James Cosmo" canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-cosmo" fi1m_id: "james-cosmo" imdb_id: "nm0181920" tmdb_id: 2467 wikidata_id: "Q733122" roles: ["Actor"] born: "24 May 1948" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 76 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-24T08:03:55.732722+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # James Cosmo ## Identity James Cosmo - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-cosmo - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** james-cosmo - **IMDb ID:** nm0181920 - **TMDB ID:** 2467 - **Wikidata ID:** Q733122 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cosmo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q733122, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0181920/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2467 Actor. Born 24 May 1948 in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 24 May 1948, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK - **Active:** 1986–present - **Also known as:** Джеймс Космо, ஜேம்ஸ் காஸ்மோ - **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 75 (1), 1990s 78 (2), 2010s 86 (1), 2020s 64 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Action 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1, Fantasy 1, History 1 - **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $298m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cosmo, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q733122, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0181920/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2467 ## Streaming the US now - **Peacock:** [*Highlander*](https://film.one/film/highlander.md) (75) - **Apple TV:** [*Braveheart*](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md) (68) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on James Cosmo > James Cosmo gives fathers, commanders and clan elders a convincing physical authority. We value that reliability, while wishing more of his parts asked for something beyond the large, gruff man who expects to be obeyed. Cosmo does not need much help from a costume to look capable of giving orders. His bulk and voice make authority plausible before the writing has done much work, which explains the succession of warriors, elders and fathers. We value an actor who can establish that much so quickly, especially in a supporting part. The danger is that a production treats the casting as the end of the job and gives him little else to play. Angus MacLeod in *Highlander* (1986) brought him wider notice, and Campbell in *Braveheart* (1995) helped raise his international profile. The latter makes clear both the usefulness and the limits of this casting. Mel Gibson stages the fighting with force and clarity, and Cosmo's imposing presence suits the film. But the characters receive less care than the battles, and a dependable supporting actor cannot repair that on his own. We would recommend it with patience and qualifications, not as the fullest account of what Cosmo offers. *Trainspotting* (1996), directed by Danny Boyle, is the stronger recommendation, with Cosmo playing Renton's father. The role offers a change from the warriors and commanders, and a reason not to mistake familiar casting for the whole of an actor's work. We were frightened by *Trainspotting* because the actors keep its addicts human amid the speed and humour. The editing sometimes rushes past suffering that needs more time, our reservation about a film we otherwise recommend warmly. We would start here when looking beyond his stature, without pretending that this supporting part carries the film. Television kept finding a use for the same authority: he played Jeor Mormont in *Game of Thrones* (2011–2013). Returning as Renton's father in *T2 Trainspotting* (2017) also kept the domestic side of his work in view. The question for another director is how much to ask of an actor whose physical presence already supplies such a clear starting point. Give him the authority, certainly, but also give him something to do when the other characters decline to listen. ## Biography James Cosmo is a Scottish actor. He played David Renton in *Trainspotting* (1996) and reprised the role in *T2 Trainspotting* (2017). Other film credits include Campbell in *Braveheart* (1995), Angus MacLeod in *Highlander* (1986), Glaucus in *Troy* (2004), Father Christmas in *The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe* (2005), and Field Marshal Haig in *Wonder Woman* (2017). On television he is known for Jeor Mormont in *Game of Thrones* (2011–2013), Father Kellan Ashby in *Sons of Anarchy* (2010), and roles in *Chernobyl* (2019) and *His Dark Materials* (2019). He is the son of actor James Copeland and adopted his mother’s middle name as his professional surname early in his career, which began in the late 1960s. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Hostage* (2025), Fi1m 64, as Max Dalton — [page](https://film.one/tv/hostage.md) - *Chernobyl* (2019), Fi1m 86, as Miner — [page](https://film.one/tv/chernobyl.md) - *Trainspotting* (1996), Fi1m 88, as Renton's Father — [page](https://film.one/film/trainspotting.md) - *Braveheart* (1995), Fi1m 68, as Campbell — [page](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md) - *Highlander* (1986), Fi1m 75, as Angus MacLeod — [page](https://film.one/film/highlander.md) ## Complete filmography (188) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Voidance* (2026), as Agent Polo - *The Morrigan* (2026), as Francis Crowley - *Preschool* (2026), as Joe - *Storm Rider: Legend of Hammerhead* (2026), as Dida - *Can You Hear Me?* (2025), as Johnny - *Talamasca: The Secret Order* (2025), series, as Director Houseman - *Hostage* (2025), series, as Max Dalton — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/hostage.md) - *Salvable* (2025), as Welly - *Fear* (2025), series, as Allan Berwick - *The Last Redemption* (2025), as Lord Goran - *Nightsleeper* (2024), series, as Fraser Warren - *The Beast Within* (2024), as Waylon - *Six Four* (2023), series, as Jim Mackie - *The Three Musketeers* (2023), as Cardinal Richelieu - *Scrooge: A Christmas Carol* (2022), as Mr. Fezziwig (voice) - *My Sailor, My Love* (2022), as Howard - *Karen Pirie* (2022), series, as Brodie Grant Snr - *Breath* (2022), as Nick - *The Kindred* (2021), as Frank Menzies - *Jagame Thandhiram* (2021), as Peter Sprott - *Skylines* (2020), as Grant - *Off Grid* (2019), as John Tanner - *Forget Me Not* (2019), as Benedict - *His Dark Materials* (2019), series, as Farder Coram - *Tomorrow* (2019), as Mr. Charles - *Chernobyl* (2019), series, as Miner — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/chernobyl.md) - *The Bay* (2019), series, as Bill Bradwell - *Get Duked!* (2019), as Farmer - *The Name of the Rose* (2019), series, as Jorge of Burgos - *The Hole in the Ground* (2019), as Des Brady - *Shadow Boxer* (2019), as Eddie Royce - *Malevolent* (2018), as Grandpa - *Ashes in the Snow* (2018), as Mr. Stakas - *Outlaw King* (2018), as Robert Bruce Senior - *Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan* (2018), series, as Luka Gocharov - *In Darkness* (2018), as Niall - *Darkness Comes* (2018), as Policeman - *Rogue Trooper: The Quartz Massacre* (2018), as Narrator (voice) - *Hold the Sunset* (2018), series, as Bob - *London Heist* (2017), as Ray - *Wonder Woman* (2017), as FIeld Marshall Haig - *SS-GB* (2017), series, as Harry Woods - *T2 Trainspotting* (2017), as Renton's Father - *Eliminators* (2016), as Cooper - *Monochrome* (2016), as Roger Daniels - *Ben-Hur* (2016), as Quintus Arius - *Whisky Galore* (2016), as Macalister the Minister - *Dark Signal* (2016), as Alan - *The Durrells* (2016), series, as Captain Creech — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-durrells.md) - *Stag* (2016), series, as Gamekeeper - *Breakdown* (2016), as Albert Chapman - *Bunker: Project 12* (2016), as Brian Balanowsky - *Estranged* (2015), as Albert - *The Legend of Barney Thomson* (2015), as James Henderson - *The Pyramid Texts* (2015), as Ray - *Amélia & Duarte* (2015), as Narrator (English) - *Moonwalkers* (2015), as Dawson - *We Still Kill the Old Way* (2014), as Arthur - *The Boogeyman* (2014), as Dr. Harper - *New Worlds* (2014), series, as Goffe - *The Christmas Candle* (2013), as Herbert Hopewell - *Justin and the Knights of Valour* (2013), as Blucher (voice) - *Get Lucky* (2013), as Mr. Zigic - *Hammer of the Gods* (2013), as King Bagsecg - *Shetland* (2013), series, as Arthur McCall — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/shetland.md) - *The Golden Scallop* (2013), as Judge Wellington - *Songs for Amy* (2012), as Murdo - *Citadel* (2012), as Priest - *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Roger Seymour - *The Glass Man* (2011), as Pecco - *Case Histories* (2011), series, as Len Lomax - *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Jeor Mormont — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md) - *No Saints for Sinners* (2011), Actor - *Outcast* (2010), as Laird - *The Santa Incident* (2010), as Nick - *Donkeys* (2010), as Alfred - *The Runway* (2010), as Shutherland - *The Color of Magic 2in1* (2010), as Galder Weatherwax - *One Night in Emergency* (2010), Actor - *FlashForward* (2009), series, as Phillip - *2081* (2009), as George Bergeron - *The Narnia Code* (2009), as Narrator - *Castle* (2009), series, as Finn Rourke — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *The Clan* (2009), as Hector McKinley - *Merlin* (2008), series, as Hengist - *Sons of Anarchy* (2008), series, as Father Kellan Ashby — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/sons-of-anarchy.md) - *The Colour of Magic* (2008), series, as Galder Weatherwax - *Futureshock: Comet* (2008), as Brenden - *The Color of Magic - Die Reise des Zauberers Teil 1* (2008), as Galder Weatherwax - *Where Have I Been All Your Life?* (2007), as John - *The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising* (2007), as Dawson - *The Last Legion* (2007), as Hrothgar - *Lives of the Saints* (2007), as Mr. Karva - *Half Light* (2006), as Finlay Murray - *The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe* (2005), as Father Christmas - *The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby* (2005), as James Brown - *Little House on the Prairie* (2005), series, as Mr. Scott - *Troy* (2004), as Glaucus - *One Last Chance* (2004), as Big John - *The Reckoning* (2004), as Lambert - *Man Dancin'* (2004), as Donnie McGlone - *Solid Air* (2003), as Finn - *Sweet Dreams* (2003), as Robert - *The Four Feathers* (2002), as Col. Sutch - *Once Upon a Time in the Midlands* (2002), as Billy - *All the Queen's Men* (2001), as Archie - *To End All Wars* (2001), as Col. Stuart McLean - *The Last of the Blonde Bombshells* (2000), as McNab - *Reflections Upon the Origin of the Pineapple* (2000), Actor - *Honest* (2000), as Tommy Chase - *Rebus* (2000), series, as Morris Gerald Cafferty, Morris Cafferty - *Easter Tales* (2000), series, as The Centurion - *One More Kiss* (1999), as Frank - *Split Second* (1999), as Donald Paterson - *Billy and Zorba* (1999), as Zorba - *The Match* (1999), as Billy Bailey - *Badger* (1999), series, Actor - *Sunset Heights* (1999), as MacDonald - *Cleopatra* (1999), series, as Agrippa - *Babe: Pig in the City* (1998), as Thelonius (voice) - *Golden Wedding* (1998), as Eddie - *Santa / Claws* (1997), Actor - *Ain't Misbehavin'* (1997), series, as Malky Fraser - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Jack 'Axeman' McKinley — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Ivanhoe* (1997), series, as Cedric - *Emma* (1996), as Mr. Weston - *Trainspotting* (1996), as Renton's Father — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/trainspotting.md) - *The Key* (1995), as Gangster - *Braveheart* (1995), as Campbell — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/braveheart.md) - *Roughnecks* (1994), series, as Tom - *Sin Bin* (1994), as Jerry - *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Matthew Chapman - *The House of Eliott* (1991), series, as James Maxton - *The Sharp End* (1991), series, as Carmichael - *The Fool* (1990), as Mr. Bowring - *Treasure Island* (1990), as Redruth - *The Nightwatch* (1989), as James Smithson - *The Justice Game* (1989), series, as Glen - *Winners and Losers* (1989), series, as Frank Kerr - *Stormy Monday* (1988), as Tony - *Crossbow* (1987), series, Actor - *Casualty* (1986), series, as John Breckman, Tony — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md) - *Biggles* (1986), as German Soldier - *Highlander* (1986), as Angus MacLeod — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/highlander.md) - *Running Scared* (1986), series, as Detective Inspector McNeil - *Super Gran* (1985), series, as Mr. McBigg - *Lytton's Diary* (1985), series, as Harry Owen - *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Jerry - *Operation Julie* (1985), as Longfellow - *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor - *The Master of Ballantrae* (1984), as Horseman (uncredited) - *Scarecrow and Mrs. King* (1983), series, Actor - *Taggart* (1983), series, Actor - *Living Apart Together* (1982), as Priest - *House on the Hill* (1981), series, as Bonfield - *The Nightmare Man* (1981), series, as Sergeant Carch - *The Nightmare Man* (1981), as Sergeant Carch - *Hammer House of Horror* (1980), series, as Willis - *Take the High Road* (1980), series, Actor - *Minder* (1979), series, as Jock McLeish — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/minder.md) - *Thundercloud* (1979), series, as Chief Petty Officer Hawkins - *Kidnapped* (1979), series, as Beggar/Soldier - *Dick Barton: Special Agent* (1979), series, as Jock Anderson - *Strangers* (1978), series, as DS Galbraith - *The Professionals* (1977), series, as Glover - *Survivors* (1975), series, as Lenny Carter - *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Det. Sgt. Davy Freeth — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) - *Churchill's People* (1974), series, as Robert Bruce - *The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil* (1974), as Loch - *The Professional* (1973), as Sgt. Robbins - *The Stone Tape* (1972), as Cliff Dow - *Sutherland's Law* (1972), as Ian Campbell - *Young Winston* (1972), as Officer on Train - *Doomwatch* (1972), as Bob Gillette - *The Duna Bull* (1972), Actor - *The Persuaders!* (1971), series, as Inspector Williams - *Assault* (1971), as Det. Sgt. Beale - *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Loch - *UFO* (1970), series, as Lt. Anderson - *Sovereign's Company* (1970), as Senior Under Officer Patterson - *The Virgin Soldiers* (1969), as Waller - *Battle of Britain* (1969), as Jamie - *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Sgt. Robbins - *Ransom for a Pretty Girl* (1966), series, as Charlie Milne - *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Senior Under Officer Patterson - *Dr. Finlay's Casebook* (1962), series, as Private Davidson - *Hotel Caledonia*, as William Pertwee - *Follow the Dark*, as Gregory Kern ## Gallery - ![James Cosmo 03 (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-fe8af0007f57.jpg) James Cosmo 03 (2013) — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/James_Cosmo.jpg/1280px-James_Cosmo.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Acteur notamment dans la série Game of thrones fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cosmo (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-b07ec13a9bf7.jpg) Acteur notamment dans la série Game of thrones fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cosmo (2014) — Patrick Subotkiewiez, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/James_Cosmo_2014.jpg/1280px-James_Cosmo_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Cosmo](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-0a9d543cc824.jpg) James Cosmo — Patrick Subotkiewiez, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/James_Cosmo_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-James_Cosmo_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Cosmo in 2023](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-e461cdbd984e.png) James Cosmo in 2023 — James English, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/James_Cosmo_2023.png/1280px-James_Cosmo_2023.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![James Cosmo](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-8a54694e8a9c.jpg) James Cosmo — Image via TMDB - ![James Cosmo](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-fd34a2b00248.jpg) James Cosmo — Image via TMDB - ![James Cosmo](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-9ec9b315d68d.jpg) James Cosmo — Image via TMDB - ![James Cosmo](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-c66da406d77d.jpg) James Cosmo — Image via TMDB - ![James Cosmo](https://film.one/media/person/59804/gallery-783396184803.jpg) James Cosmo — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/james-cosmo