James is the mastermind behind the creative vision of The Artful Dodger on Disney+, serving as both the head writer and Executive Producer. His professional journey began with a stint as a script analyst at Icon Film Distribution, where he utilized his expertise to assess the artistic and commercial viability of feature film scripts for pre-buy acquisitions, providing invaluable insights to inform strategic business decisions.
Throughout his illustrious career, James has had the privilege of leading writers rooms and holding a faculty position at a prestigious public university in the United States, working alongside some of the most respected and accomplished showrunners in the industry.
James is a highly accomplished literary and television critic, renowned for his in-depth understanding of script analysis and editing. His impressive portfolio includes a comprehensive 8,000-word feature article, aptly titled "The Golden Age of Television", which garnered widespread recognition and acclaim.
This esteemed piece of writing was featured as the cover article in the Australian Book Review, a testament to its significance and impact. Moreover, James's article won the prestigious ABR Ian Potter Foundation Fellowship, a highly coveted award that recognizes outstanding cultural criticism in Australia.
This notable achievement is a testament to James's exceptional skill and dedication to his craft, as well as his ability to produce high-quality, engaging content that resonates with audiences.
James's scholarly endeavors have been featured in a diverse array of esteemed international publications, encompassing the New York Times, the LA Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement, The Spectator, and The Australian.
Early in his academic career, James refined his critical thinking and writing abilities at Oxford University, where he was awarded a prestigious Clarendon Scholarship in English.
James earned his prestigious PhD degree from the renowned Oxford University, culminating his academic journey with a rigorous dissertation that delved into the fascinating realm of literature and drama, spanning the significant period of the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries.
James embarked on a journey to achieve his aspirations in the film and television industry, leaving behind a distinguished career as a corporate litigation lawyer with a prominent law firm. For a significant period, he was the sole corporate litigation lawyer in the London office, providing expert counsel during the tumultuous global financial crisis. Throughout this time, he maintained direct communication with the Global Head of International Arbitration, who was based in New York.
James is a highly accomplished individual who has earned a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Western Australia, as well as a degree in Law from the same esteemed institution. Furthermore, he has also obtained a degree in screenwriting from the renowned Australian Film Television & Radio School.
As he looks to the future, James' ultimate aspiration is to bring together his artistic flair as a screenwriter with his analytical and business acumen to secure a position as a showrunner in a prominent US television drama. This ambitious goal is made all the more impressive by his notable achievements, having been selected twice for the prestigious BAFTA Newcomers program in Los Angeles.
In addition to his creative pursuits, James has also demonstrated his commitment to the industry by serving on the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABR).
