James Laurenson obit

James Laurenson Dies: ‘The Crown’ And ‘Coronation Street’ Actor Was 84

 He was not on the list.

James Laurenson, the British actor whose 50-year career included roles in Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders and The Crown, had died. He was 84.

His death was reported by multiple UK news outlets today. A cause of death and other specifics have not been reported.

First appearing in 1968 as the Reverend Peter Hope in the long-running soap Coronation Street, Laurenson most recently appeared in the film Matilda The Musical (2022), and TV series The Terror (2018) and The Crown (2016). On the latter, he reccured as Doctor Sir John Weir, Physician Royal to King Edward V and others in the monarchy.

Laurenson also was known for his groundbreaking performance in a stage production and 1970 television broadcast of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II in which he and Ian McKellen shared a kiss, considered the first same-sex kiss for British television and arriving three years after homosexuality was decriminalized.

In 2011, Laurenson was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as the Ghost and the Player King in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Hamlet.

Born February 17, 1940, in New Zealand, Laurenson moved to London after university, making his film debut in 1969’s Women in Love. His career would include work on the stage, including many performances in Shakespeare plays and, in 1984, in his only musical, 42nd Street; in film (Pink Floyd’s The Wall) and many TV series (Prime Suspect, Crown Court, Lovejoy and U.S. series Cagney & Lacey and Remington Steele).

According to UK news outlets, he is survived by second wife Cari Haysom and son Jamie from his previous marriage to actress Carol Macready.

 

Acting roles

Women in Love (1969) – Minister

The Magic Christian (1969) – Oxford crewman, uncredited

Elizabeth R (1971, TV) – Jean de Simier

Assault (1971) – Greg Lomax

Boney (1971–72, TV series) – Detective Inspector Bonaparte (Boney)

The Shadow of the Tower (1972, TV) – Earl of Lincoln

Space: 1999 (1976, TV), "Catacombs of the Moon" – Patrick Osgood

Esther Waters (1977, TV) – William Latch

Hammer House of Horror (1980, TV), "Rude Awakening" – Mr. Rayburn

The Monster Club (1980) – Raven (The Shadmock)

Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982) – Pink's Father

Heartbreakers (1984) – Terry Ray

Inspector Morse: The Dead of Jericho (1987, TV) – Tony Richards

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1987, TV movie) – Felix Hawthorne

The Bourne Identity (1988, TV) – Gillette (2 episodes)

Countdown to War (1989, TV) – Count Ciano

The Man Inside (1990) – Mueller

Sharpe (1993, TV) – Hector Ross (5 episodes)

A House in the Hills (1993) – Ronald Rankin

Midsomer Murders (2000, TV), “Beyond the Grave” – James Tate

This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper (2000, TV) – Chief Constable Ronald Gregory

Silent Witness: Beyond Guilt (2003, TV) – Professor Peter Sachs

Dalziel and Pascoe: Soft Touch (2004, TV) – Richard Mattis

Henry IV, Parts I and II (2012, TV) – Earl of Westmoreland

Wolf Hall (2015 TV) ep. 1: "Three Card Trick" – Earl of Shrewsbury

The Crown (2016, TV) – Doctor Weir, recurring role, 5 episodes

Father Brown (2014, 2017, TV), S2E6 “The Mystery Of The Rosary” (2014) – Professor Hilary Ambrose, S5E10 "The Alchemist's Secret" (2017) Professor Hilary Ambrose

Endeavour: Game (2017, TV) – Professor George Amory

Quacks (2017, TV), “The Bishop’s Appendix” – Mr. Agar

The Terror (2018, TV) – Episode: “Go for Broke”, “Punished as a Boy” – Sir John Barrow