James Laurenson was born on the northernmost island of New Zealand, the son of an amateur actor who undoubtedly instilled in him a passion for the performing arts. He pursued his interest in theatre at Canterbury University College in Christchurch, where he made his theatrical debut in the title role of Hamlet under the direction of renowned mystery author Dame Ngaio Marsh. This early exposure to the world of Shakespearean acting laid the foundation for his future success in the industry.
In 1965, Laurenson made the bold decision to relocate to England, where he worked for a season with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. This stint with the RSC allowed him to hone his craft and establish himself as a talented Shakespearean actor, a reputation that would serve him well throughout his career.
Throughout the 1970s, Laurenson continued to work with the RSC, taking on a wide range of roles including Charles the Dauphin in Henry VI, Cassio in Othello, and Orlando in As You Like It. He also appeared in productions with the National Theatre, including Macbeth and Hamlet, in which he played the roles of Macduff and the Ghost/Player King, respectively.
In addition to his work in theatre, Laurenson also began to make a name for himself in television, making his debut in the long-running soap Coronation Street in 1968. He went on to appear in several other television shows, including a BBC adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, in which he played the youngest of the pirates.
However, it was his breakthrough role as Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Boney' Bonaparte in the Australian television series Boney (1972) that truly launched his career. This half-Aboriginal police officer with superior tracking skills was a huge hit in both Australia and the UK, and proved popular in Germany as well. The show's success can be attributed in part to its rugged outback locations, which provided a unique and captivating backdrop for the story.
Despite the show's popularity, Laurenson decided not to extend his contract for a third season and returned to England, hoping to avoid typecasting and explore other roles. Over the course of the next five decades, he went on to become a familiar face as a guest star in numerous television shows, often playing morally ambiguous, pompous, or villainous characters.
Some of his notable credits include episodes of Space: 1999, Remington Steele, Van der Valk, Sharpe, Silent Witness, Dalziel and Pascoe, and Hustle. More recently, he appeared in the BBC series Wolf Hall, playing the Earl of Shrewsbury, and in the ITV series Endeavour, where he portrayed Oxford Professor George Amory.
In addition to his work in television, Laurenson also had a successful career in film, appearing in a number of small but notable roles. He was a resident of the Somerset market town of Frome for many years, where he passed away on April 18, 2024, at the age of 84.
