---
name: "James Purefoy"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-purefoy"
fi1m_id: "james-purefoy"
imdb_id: "nm0700856"
tmdb_id: 17648
wikidata_id: "Q360528"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "3 June 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-22T03:31:12.327182+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 Purefoy

## Identity

James Purefoy

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-purefoy
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-purefoy
- **IMDb ID:** nm0700856
- **TMDB ID:** 17648
- **Wikidata ID:** Q360528
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Purefoy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q360528, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0700856/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17648

Actor. Born 3 June 1964 in Taunton, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 3 June 1964, Taunton, England, UK
- **Active:** 2002–present
- **Also known as:** Τζέιμς Πιούρφοϊ, James Brian Mark Purefoy, Джеймс Пьюрфой, Jame Purefoy, 제임스 퓨어포이, جیمز پیورفوی
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 69 (2), 2010s 74 (5), 2020s 58 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 64 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 3, Action 2, Action & Adventure 2, Science Fiction 2, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $221m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Purefoy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q360528, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0700856/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17648

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Masters of the Universe*](https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe.md) (58), [*High-Rise*](https://film.one/film/high-rise.md) (58)
- **HBO Max:** [*Rome*](https://film.one/tv/rome.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on James Purefoy

> James Purefoy gives powerful men an appetite for the job that makes them entertaining company. We rate him most highly when the script lets that pleasure show; a crown and a succession of quips are not enough.

In *Rome* (2005), James Purefoy’s Mark Antony makes being powerful look like something a man might enjoy. We enjoyed him because his appetite for the job spared us another solemn performance of duty. Ciarán Hinds gives Julius Caesar a quieter authority, providing a useful contrast to Purefoy’s relish. Around them, the ensemble makes private resentments worth following even before we have untangled everybody’s position. Purefoy belongs in that company: his Antony is entertaining without making the people around him seem surplus to requirements.

The earlier *A Knight’s Tale* (2001), in which he played Edward the Black Prince, fits the recurring demand for his physical presence and sword skills. The title role in *Solomon Kane* (2009) took that casting into dark fantasy. Television then offered a different sort of threat in *The Following* (2013), with Purefoy playing the serial killer and cult leader Joe Carroll. His ability to combine elegance with menace makes sense of that move. These are different jobs, but each needs an actor whose charm does not make the danger disappear.

*Masters of the Universe* (2026) gives him a crown again, as King Randor, but far less chance to make the authority matter. Travis Knight’s film has a bright, willing cast and a script that keeps changing its mind about how seriously to take anyone. Moments between Adam and the king and queen, played by Purefoy and Charlotte Riley, are interrupted by quips just as they begin to carry feeling. The family feeling might have helped the fantasy matter. We would rather have spent longer with that family than heard another joke about how daft the whole business is.

What we want from his next substantial part is room to speak and act without the script anticipating an embarrassed audience. His command of language and physical confidence suit larger-than-life characters, and we would rather a film trusted him to play them straight. Nor does he need to be the only forceful actor present, as Hinds, Polly Walker and Lindsay Duncan help demonstrate in *Rome*. He is worth casting opposite people who can resist him. Start with *Rome*, provided an uneven opening and plenty of cruelty do not put you off.

## Biography

James Purefoy is an English actor. He was born in Taunton, Somerset, and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He is known for playing Mark Antony in the HBO series *Rome* (2005–2007), Solomon Kane in the 2009 film of the same name, Hap Collins in *Hap and Leonard* (2016–2018), and Laurens Bancroft in the first season of *Altered Carbon* (2018). Other credits include *A Knight's Tale* (2001), *Resident Evil* (2002), *John Carter* (2012), *High-Rise* (2015), and King Randor in *Masters of the Universe* (2026). He has also appeared in *The Following* (2013–2015) and *The Witcher* (2025).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, looper.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *Masters of the Universe* (2026), Fi1m 58, as King Randor — [page](https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe.md)
- *Sex Education* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Remi Milburn — [page](https://film.one/tv/sex-education.md)
- *Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia* (2016), Fi1m 80, as Kanjigar / Amulet / Ghost Kanjigar — [page](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md)
- *High-Rise* (2015), Fi1m 58, as Pangbourne — [page](https://film.one/film/high-rise.md)
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Thomas of Mowbray — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *Episodes* (2011), Fi1m 72, as Rob — [page](https://film.one/tv/episodes.md)
- *Rome* (2005), Fi1m 82, as Mark Antony — [page](https://film.one/tv/rome.md)
- *Resident Evil* (2002), Fi1m 56, as Spence — [page](https://film.one/film/resident-evil-2002.md)

## Complete filmography (89)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Masters of the Universe* (2026), as King Randor — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/masters-of-the-universe.md)
- *The Faithful* (2026), series, as Laban
- *Outrageous* (2025), series, as David Freeman-Mitford
- *Humphrey Jennings: The Man Who Listened to Britain* (2025), as Narrator
- *Saint-Pierre* (2025), series, as Sean Gallagher
- *Legacy* (2024), as Le père
- *Land of Women* (2024), series, as Fred
- *The Veil* (2024), series, as Sir Michael Althorp, Michael Althorp
- *Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie* (2023), as Rick Eden
- *Malpractice* (2023), series, as Dr. Leo Harris
- *The Recruit* (2022), series, as Oliver Bonner-Jones
- *Marie Antoinette* (2022), series, as Louis XV
- *Fisherman's Friends: One and All* (2022), as Jim · Executive Producer
- *Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men* (2022), Actor
- *Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans* (2021), as Additional Voices (voice)
- *No Man's Land* (2020), series, as Stanley
- *El Candidato* (2020), series, as Wayne Addison
- *The Witcher* (2019), series, as Skellen — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-witcher.md)
- *Limbo* (2019), as Lucifer
- *Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman's Butler* (2019), series, as Captain Gulliver 'Gully' Troy
- *Fisherman's Friends* (2019), as Jim
- *Sex Education* (2019), series, as Remi Milburn — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/sex-education.md)
- *A Discovery of Witches* (2018), series, as Philippe De Clermont, Philippe de Clermont
- *It's Me, Sugar* (2018), as Billy Wilder
- *Altered Carbon* (2018), series, as Laurens Bancroft
- *Churchill* (2017), as King George VI
- *Interlude in Prague* (2017), as Baron Saloka
- *Urban Myths* (2017), series, as Billy Wilder
- *Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia* (2016), series, as Kanjigar / Amulet / Ghost Kanjigar — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/trollhunters-tales-of-arcadia.md)
- *Equity* (2016), as Michael Connor
- *Roots* (2016), series, as John Waller
- *Hap and Leonard* (2016), series, as Hap Collins
- *High-Rise* (2015), as Pangbourne — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/high-rise.md)
- *Momentum* (2015), as Mr. Washington
- *Wicked Blood* (2014), as 'Wild' Bill Owens
- *The Following* (2013), series, as Joe Carroll
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Thomas of Mowbray — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *John Carter* (2012), as Kantos Kan
- *Revenge* (2011), series, as Dominik Wright
- *Injustice* (2011), series, as William Travers
- *Ironclad* (2011), as Thomas Marshall
- *Camelot* (2011), series, as King Lot
- *Episodes* (2011), series, as Rob — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/episodes.md)
- *Solomon Kane* (2009), as Solomon Kane
- *The Philanthropist* (2009), series, Actor
- *Diamonds* (2009), series, Actor
- *Diamonds* (2009), as Lucas Denmont
- *Lena: The Bride of Ice* (2008), as Dr. Harper
- *The Summit* (2008), series, as Thom Lightstone
- *Frankenstein* (2007), as Clerval
- *British Film Forever* (2007), series, Actor
- *Manchild* (2007), as Joe
- *Blackbeard* (2006), series, as Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach
- *Beau Brummell: This Charming Man* (2006), as Beau Brummell
- *Goose on the Loose* (2006), as Kenneth Donnelly
- *Rome* (2005), series, as Mark Antony — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/rome.md)
- *Photo Finish* (2004), as James Wise
- *Vanity Fair* (2004), as Rawdon Crawley
- *Blessed* (2004), as Craig Howard
- *George and the Dragon* (2004), as George
- *The Mayor of Casterbridge* (2003), as Donald Farfrae
- *The Mayor of Casterbridge* (2003), series, as Donald Farfrae
- *Resident Evil* (2002), as Spence — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/resident-evil-2002.md)
- *Women Talking Dirty* (2001), as Daniel
- *A Knight's Tale* (2001), as Colville
- *Tomorrow* (2001), as Andrew Spender
- *The Wedding Tackle* (2000), as Hal
- *Maybe Baby* (2000), as Carl Phipps
- *Metropolis* (2000), series, as Nathan
- *Don Quixote* (2000), as Carrasco
- *Lighthouse* (2000), as Richard Spader
- *Mansfield Park* (1999), as Tom Bertram
- *Jilting Joe* (1998), as Joe
- *Bedrooms and Hallways* (1998), as Brendan
- *A Dance to the Music of Time* (1997), series, as Nicholas Jenkins
- *Bright Hair* (1997), as David Miles
- *The Tenant of Wildfell Hall* (1996), series, as Mr Frederick Lawrence
- *The Prince and the Pauper* (1996), series, as Miles Hendon
- *The Tide of Life* (1996), series, as Nick Stuart
- *Feast of July* (1995), as Jedd Wainwright
- *Sharpe's Sword* (1995), as Captain the Lord Jack Spears
- *Tears Before Bedtime* (1995), series, as Jimmy Turner
- *One Night Stand* (1994), as John
- *Calling the Shots* (1994), series, as Brian Summers
- *Sharpe* (1993), series, as Jack Spears
- *Angels* (1992), as Victor
- *The Cloning of Joanna May* (1992), series, as Oliver
- *Coasting* (1990), series, as Mike Baker
- *Sherlock Holmes* (1984), series, as James McCarthy

## Gallery

- ![James Purefoy](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-ca72fb872940.jpg) James Purefoy — gdcgraphics at https://www.flickr.com/photos/gdcgraphics/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/JamesPurefoy09TIFF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![James Purefoy, Ironclad Screening, Rochester Castle (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-14e0ab399810.jpg) James Purefoy, Ironclad Screening, Rochester Castle (2011) — https://www.flickr.com/people/54009548@N08 The Local People Photo Archive, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/James_Purefoy%2C_Ironclad_Screening%2C_Rochester_Castle.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![DSC_8519 (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-806127c1bc4a.jpg) DSC_8519 (2012) — Genevieve, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/James_Purefoy%2C_Kevin_Bacon_%287606326464%29.jpg/1280px-James_Purefoy%2C_Kevin_Bacon_%287606326464%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![DSC_8521 (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-b23c70229758.jpg) DSC_8521 (2012) — Genevieve, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/James_Purefoy%2C_Kevin_Bacon_%287606334380%29.jpg/1280px-James_Purefoy%2C_Kevin_Bacon_%287606334380%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Purefoy](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-0d55157d747a.jpg) James Purefoy — Image via TMDB
- ![James Purefoy](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-124f685c7961.jpg) James Purefoy — Image via TMDB
- ![DSC_8525 (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-d1031cf04a8c.jpg) DSC_8525 (2012) — Genevieve, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/James_Purefoy%2C_Kevin_Bacon_%287606341680%29.jpg/1280px-James_Purefoy%2C_Kevin_Bacon_%287606341680%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Purefoy in real life looks a lot different from Kane. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/6655/gallery-e2fdc89c166a.jpg) James Purefoy in real life looks a lot different from Kane. (2009) — Sasoriza, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/James_Purefoy%2C_in_Solomon_Kane_%283955389600%29.jpg/1280px-James_Purefoy%2C_in_Solomon_Kane_%283955389600%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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-purefoy