From Tragedy to TV Stardom: The Incredible True Story of Mr Loverman Lennie James

Lennie James is one of the most recognizable faces on British TV, but despite his long and illustrious career, his life has not been without its challenges.

Born in Nottingham, England in 1965, James grew up in a family that was marked by tragedy from an early age. His mother, Phyllis Mary James, passed away when Lennie was just 10 years old, leaving his father, Afro-Caribbean immigrant, to care for him and his brother.

Despite this difficult start in life, James found solace in acting, joining a local theater group as a teenager and eventually making his way to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

James' early career was marked by small roles on British TV shows, including a stint on the popular soap opera "London's Burning." However, it was not until the early 2000s that he started to gain recognition for his performances, particularly in the BBC series "Attachments" and "Storm Damage," for which he won a Royal Television Society Award.

Despite this growing success, James faced new challenges in his personal life. In 2006, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was forced to take a break from acting to focus on his mental health.

However, James has spoken openly about how this difficult period ultimately helped him to find a new sense of purpose and direction. In 2008, he made his breakthrough in the US, landing a role in the hit TV series "The Prisoner" and going on to appear in a string of successful shows, including "Jericho" and "Skybound."

James' most iconic role to date, however, has undoubtedly been as Morgan Jones in the AMC horror series "The Walking Dead" and its spin-off "Fear the Walking Dead." The character, who appeared in the show's pilot episode, was originally supposed to have a much smaller role, but James' performance was so compelling that the writers decided to expand his character and make him a central part of the series.

Today, James is one of the most respected and sought-after actors working in TV, and has appeared in a wide range of shows, including "Save Me" and "Twin Peaks." He has also been recognized for his work as a writer and director, with his 2016 play "The Brothers Size" earning rave reviews on London's West End.

Throughout it all, James has remained humble and grounded, crediting his tough upbringing for teaching him the importance of resilience and perseverance. Despite his many successes, he has never forgotten his roots and continues to be an outspoken advocate for social justice and equality.

As for his latest project, James has been wowing audiences with his incredible performance in the BBC's adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel "Small Island" and its US television series series spin off "Time of Our Lives" shows the dedication that Lennie James brings as an actor that won him a reputation even before he featured as the main character in the ITV drama series "Save Me" which many have suggested will be seen a lot more of this talented actor with millions of viewers keeping an eye on his future roles.