Lennie James

After the death of his mother when he was 10, he and his brother chose to live in a children's home in London instead of being sent to America to reside with a relative. He stayed in foster care for eight years.  Aspired to be a professional rugby player as a teen. Was introduced to acting after following a girl he was interested in to an audition for a play. Was once employed by the British government's social security office.  Penned the autobiographical TV film, Storm Damage, in 2000. Wrote the well-received play The Sons of Charlie Paora, which opened in London's Royal Court in 2004. Landed the role of Robert Hawkins on Jericho after his first audition.