James William Baxter (born 3 August 1990) is an English actor known for his roles as Jake Doland in Emmerdale, Anthony in Alma's Not Normal, Leroy in Still Open All Hours, and Jesus in Red Dwarf. Since 2023, he has portrayed deputy head teacher Joe Casey in Waterloo Road.

Early life

Baxter was born and brought up in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear and educated at Farringdon Community Sports College. He attended weekly classes at NADA (the Northern Academy Of Dramatic Arts) held at the city's Royalty Theatre. Whilst there he appeared in various productions including Some Like It Hot and the pantomime Aladdin (Christmas 2006).

Career

Stage

In the Fiona Evans stage play Scarborough at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival, his performance as a teenager embarking upon an illicit affair with his PE Teacher won him a best-actor nomination for a Festival Fringe Award, and favourable reviews. He has played in the North East musical Fine Fine Fine based on a story by Denise Robertson. Baxter created the role of Bruce Blakemore in Silk Road by Alex Oates at Assembly Studios as part of the Edinburgh Festival 2014.

Television

In 2007, Baxter landed the role of Jake Doland, in the long running ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Baxter left the soap in 2009, together with his on-screen family, at the conclusion of their storyline. In 2012, Baxter played Jesus (of Caesarea) in the episode "Lemons" of the sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf. He also had a bit part in the BBC's The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury, filmed on Tyneside, and played Alan Maddison in the ITV World War II drama Joe Maddison's War. In November 2013, he joined the cast of Hebburn as a guest in series two. Since 2013, Baxter has played the role of Leroy in the BBC1 series Still Open All Hours, the revival series of Open All Hours. In 2021, Baxter played the role of Anthony in Alma's Not Normal on BBC2. In 2022, Baxter was cast as Joe Casey in the new series of Waterloo Road.

Radio

Imaginary Boys: As part of BBC Radio 4s Afternoon Play strand, James played 17-year-old schoolboy David in a Paul Magrs play. David is followed by, and falls in love with, an alien called Lawrence. Lawrence is a noveliser from Verbatim 6, a species that is also featured in Magrs' Big Finish audio book 'Find and Replace' and 'Ringpullworld'.

Filmography

Personal life

In 2018, he began dating actress Chelsea Halfpenny, and they announced their engagement on 13 June 2021. In April 2023, Baxter and Halfpenny announced that they were expecting their first child together. In June 2023, Halfpenny announced the birth of her and Baxter's daughter.