Actor Adele James: ‘Always stretch yourself – you never know how a project will turn out’

My first acting job after graduating was in an expenses-only student film called Who I Am. We shot it in London and it went on to have a successful international festival run, including at the Cannes Film Festival. I won the first award of my career for best actress, playing the lead’s witty, confident and stylish best friend.

I applied for the role on Casting Call Pro. In my early career I got all my experience this way. It wasn’t until 2017 that I booked a job via an audition from my agent – the lead in #Hashtag Lightie at the Arcola Theatre.

Even after #Hashtag Lightie, much of the work I was seen and booked for was via my own applications and networking, including my first TV pilot and feature film. As for on-air TV gigs, my first was in 2019 when I landed a guest lead in Doctors (BBC) via my agent.

I am always nervous when I book a new job, whether it is a low-budget short, playing Cleopatra, or right now, as I am about to make my debut at the National Theatre in Underdog: The Other Other Brontë. But I have learned that my nerves are a sign of two things: that I care deeply about supporting my fellow cast and crew and giving the audience an amazing experience; and that I am always walking into experiences that will stretch me, because I cannot predict how the process will go, or how the project will turn out.

Looking back, I don’t think I would do anything differently – I now understand how each ‘mistake’ led me to where I am today. But there are a lot of things I would not do again – that’s what led me to create the Empowered Actors Network. That and the fact that I have learned how important it is to honour the balance of your life and prioritise your emotional well-being alongside strategy and audition technique, in service of achieving your dreams in a sustainable and healthy way.

CV Adele James

Age: Undisclosed
Training: BA (hons) in drama, University of Bristol; the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, New York; the Actors Craft, London
Theatre includes: The Importance of Being Earnest (English Touring Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Rose Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Dubai Opera House, New English Shakespeare Company); The Picture of Dorian Gray (UK tour)
TV/film includes: Casualty (BBC); Doctors (BBC); Queen Cleopatra (Netflix)
Agent: InterTalent

Underdog: The Other Other Brontë runs at the National Theatre March 27-May 25; More on the Empowered Actors Network at: empoweredactorsnetwork.com