James Baxter

Actor

Popular As James Baxter (actor)

Birthday August 3, 1990

Birth Sign Leo

Birthplace Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

Age 33 years old

Nationality United Kingdom

#60398 Most Popular

1990

James William Baxter (born 3 August 1990) is an English actor known for his roles as Jake Doland in Emmerdale, Anthony in Alma's Not Normal, Leroy in Still Open All Hours, and Jesus in Red Dwarf.

Since 2023, he has portrayed deputy head teacher Joe Casey in Waterloo Road.

Baxter was born and brought up in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear and educated at Farringdon Community Sports College.

He attended weekly classes at NADA (the Northern Academy Of Dramatic Arts) held at the city's Royalty Theatre.

2006

Whilst there he appeared in various productions including Some Like It Hot and the pantomime Aladdin (Christmas 2006).

2007

In the Fiona Evans stage play Scarborough at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival, his performance as a teenager embarking upon an illicit affair with his PE Teacher won him a best-actor nomination for a Festival Fringe Award, and favourable reviews.

He has played in the North East musical Fine Fine Fine based on a story by Denise Robertson.

In 2007, Baxter landed the role of Jake Doland, in the long running ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

2009

Baxter left the soap in 2009, together with his on-screen family, at the conclusion of their storyline.

2012

In 2012, Baxter played Jesus (of Caesarea) in the episode "Lemons" of the sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf.

He also had a bit part in the BBC's The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury, filmed on Tyneside, and played Alan Maddison in the ITV World War II drama Joe Maddison's War.

2013

In November 2013, he joined the cast of Hebburn as a guest in series two.

Since 2013, Baxter has played the role of Leroy in the BBC1 series Still Open All Hours, the revival series of Open All Hours.

In 2021, Baxter played the role of Anthony in Alma's Not Normal on BBC2.

In 2022, Baxter was cast as Joe Casey in the new series of Waterloo Road.

Imaginary Boys: As part of BBC Radio 4s Afternoon Play strand, James played 17-year-old schoolboy David in a Paul Magrs play.

David is followed by, and falls in love with, an alien called Lawrence.

Lawrence is a noveliser from Verbatim 6, a species that is also featured in Magrs' Big Finish audio book 'Find and Replace' and 'Ringpullworld'.

In 2018, he began dating actress Chelsea Halfpenny, and they announced their engagement on 13 June 2021.

In April 2023, Baxter and Halfpenny announced that they were expecting their first child together.

In June 2023, Halfpenny announced the birth of her and Baxter's daughter.

2014

Baxter created the role of Bruce Blakemore in Silk Road by Alex Oates at Assembly Studios as part of the Edinburgh Festival 2014.