The lure of playing a baddie in a miniseries must have been even greater when it was his production company's first big TV project. Out in the new year, it is called Playing Nice and James decided to do just that.
So instead of being the dastardly and underhand Miles, he took the role of nice guy Pete in the heart-stopping psychological drama about two couples whose babies were switched at birth.
James, 39, took the decision to surprise audiences and to avoid being typecast. Something he has done successfully in his 15-year career.
He says playing Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley at the same time as sleuthing vicar Sidney Chambers in detective drama Grantchester had been "a real blessing".
His versatility was further reinforced by two more brilliant roles - Andrei Bolkonsky, opposite Lily James and Paul Dano, in a dramatisation of War & Peace, and the lead in the crime thriller McMafia.
Hardly surprisingly, he has been heavily rumoured to take over as James Bond from Daniel Craig.
James, who admits he is lucky enough to be sent lots of fantastic scripts explains why he likes variety.
"You do a Second World War drama, and you get to go and be a historian in the British Library for however long and have an emotional connection with that particular piece of history."
He adds: "If you do it really well, then you're going to get a few more offers for Second World War dramas coming your way.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 12, 2024-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 12, 2024-Ausgabe von Daily Mirror UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
THE CLOUD OF TURN
Pep's strugglers slip to 22nd as Ederson clanger puts Juve on road to famous win
SAKA JUST TWO GOOD
THIS is rapidly turning into Bukayo Saka's most important season for Arsenal.
AULD ON TIGHT!
It's England v Scotland and a reunion with Rangers for former Celtic chief Ange and his injury-hit squad as Romero says sorry for swipe at club spending
OVER & DAN NOW
Ruben: Our vision is clear
SAUDI 2034 WORLD CUP CONTROVERSY
Forget human rights, money talks... and the FA should be ashamed they stayed silent
BREWING UP TIME!
Rhian keeps Blades on the boil
CLUCKY IN LOVE
Romance blossomed for Sherrock & Menzies over a KFC
PEATY COULD STILL MAKE A SPLASH IN LA
Olympic swim hero weighing up 2028 bid
RACING IS AT 'CRITICAL POINT'
RACING'S governance structure is \"not fit for the 21st century\" and the sport \"paralysed by selfinterest\", according to the head of racing's media rights arm.
Getting figgy with it
Passion for panettone has sparked a trend for celebrating with fruit puds, experts say