First of all, a HUGE thank you to Carol at Facebook Fans of James Frain for the information about this latest development!!! Also to Teri who told Carol! And thanks to who ever told Teri!
Update on film screen date - from December 31, 2009, this soon-to-be-renamed project is now planning for a screen date of 20 October 2010 (USA). To keep up to date on any changes, please see the IMDb for "Crusades." - or "Insert New Film Name Here."
The previously mentioned film - "Crusades" written by Andy Briggs is evidently going to have a name change! The SyFy channel may think that the public can come up with something a bit more unique perhaps? Seems fair. The storyline is certainly unique as told to us at AJF by the author Mr. Briggs:
James plays Sir Gregory, a Knight of the First Crusade who is fighting an internal battle over his ebbing faith. We begin the story as the war finishes, and the Knights are searching for a suitable gift from the Holy Land to give to the Holy Father in praise of their victory. Sir Gregory and his Knights discover a piece of the true cross and set off to Rome to present it to the Holy See.
Along their journey, Gregory saves Rebecca, a young serf and an atheist - with whom he grows close to. They befriend a brave Muslim warrior, who joins the Christian Knights on their adventure, and slowly rekindles their faith - especially as their journey is hampered by a serious of terrible "biblical" events, that build in magnitude until they finally realize their "prize" has a darker secret... and something terrible is hunting them down...
As for the contest, eligibility requires you being a legal U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. over the age of eighteen. One may enter up to 10 times only. The contest time frame is from January 16, 2010 – February 14, 2010. Winners will receive on-air recognition and an "amateur filmmaking kit" including a camera, computer and film editing software. According to the official rules, the judging criteria is as follows:
Originality (33%), Relevance to Movie Synopsis and Still Photography (33%), and Creativity (34%). The winner will be announced on or around March 13th, which happens to be the day before James Frain's birthday. What fun.
To link to the contest, please click on the poster above or here at "Name That SyFy Movie." Best of luck all you who enter!
For those interested in seeing a condensed version of the episode - just James Frain's short but sweet scenes, here are the clips below, courtesy of Teri, Kate and You Tube:

Here is James in his performance on "Californification," excellent Yank accent, no hair and a big ol' potty mouth, or as "MistressQ," who posted this clip on You Tube so aptly describes this - "James is both bald AND sleazy in the Season 3 finale. There's a bit of language, so mind how you go."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
December 14, 2009
One wonders if James Frain can remember his own name these days, what with all of the characters he's been playing, he's liable to answer to anything! In the whirlwind which is James Frain's career at the moment, we have news (BIG news) of James in two new roles. A great guest role, but first - a greater recurring role! Read on...

From Entertainment Weekly:
by Michael Ausiello
Categories: News, True Blood
Something tells me Tara's going to fly through her five stages of grief when True Blood returns next summer.
Tudors star James Frain has just been cast in the heavily recurring role of Franklin Mott, Tara's over-protective vampire squeeze, sources confirm to me exclusively.
The English actor, whose TV credits include recurring roles on Invasion (as Eli) and 24 (as Paul Raines), will debut in the second episode of the show's upcoming third season.
The casting breakdown for the role describes Franklin as a tall, dark, and handsome vampire who seems to have an "immediate and torrid" connection to Tara. In the books, Franklin is essentially Tara's sugar daddy, but I'm guessing Alan Ball is taking the character in a different direction.
My question for you: On a rebound relationship scale of 1 to 10, where does Frain's Franklin fall?
PHOTO CREDIT: Wesley: John P. Johnson/HBO; Frain: Albert L. Ortega/PR Photos
And here is "Johnny Webster - TV Guru's" take on it from the blog - Just Johnny Webster:
Monday, December 14, 2009
HOLY CRAP!! This new season of True Blood is going to "OFF THE CHAIN" Are people still saying that!?!? Who cares!! Seriously!! True Blood is about to be the SEXIEST show on the PLANET!!! WOWSERS!!! Everybody is gonna be getting some love!! Especially Tara!!
James Frain has been cast as Tara's new love interest, Franklin Mott, a vampire from the books who acted as Tara's sugar daddy!! Well, the show describes him as "handsome" and someone with an "immediate and torrid" connection to Tara!! I JUST GOT EXCITED!!! James Frain is SO HOT!!
HOLLER!!! I can't wait for this new season of True Blood.
(GO Johnny GO!!)
And from Buddy TV:
True Blood: James Frain to Play Vampire Franklin Mott
Monday, December 14, 2009
Kris De Leon
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Another vampire has been added to the crazy town of Bon Temps and this time, he comes in the form of James Frain. According to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, the English actor has been cast on the third season of True Blood in the heavily recurring role of Franklin Mott.
Franklin Mott, for those who haven't read the books, is basically Tara's vampire sugar daddy. But knowing series creator Alan Ball, he's probably going to take Frain's character in a different direction.
Still, it's safe to assume that Franklin Mott will serve as Tara's love interest in the upcoming season of True Blood. Ausiello describes the casting breakdown of Franklin as "a tall, dark, and handsome vampire who seems to have an immediate and torrid connection to Tara."
How will Tara and Franklin hook up? Will Tara immediately get over the death of Eggs? Or will Franklin Mott glamour Tara? Fans will find out when True Blood returns for its third season in June 2010. Frain, however, will make his debut on the HBO series in the second episode of the new season.
Aside from True Blood, Frain, who is possibly best known for his role as Thomas Cromwell in the Showtime series The Tudors in which he appeared from 2007 to 2009 until his character was executed in the third season finale, will star in the fantasy horror TV feature Crusades, as well as the action sci-fi movie Tron Legacy, which hits theaters on December 17, 2010.
For those who do the twitter, Carol offers the suggestion to peruse a James Frain Twitter Search. For the most part, intelligent people with excellent taste are tweeting away about the good choice of James as Franklin. Have a gander.
Okay, this is fantastic. I confess to being a True Blood viewer and James Frain definitely fits the bill for me as "tall dark and handsome." As Kent Dorfman said in Animal House - "This is gonna be GREAT!"
The next great news comes via Teri & Google, bless them, we have news that James will be appearing on the original CSI series on January 14, 2009 as character "Jeffrey Hughes." Sounds like he could be British in this one? From Talk CSI Files.com:
Press release for "Sin City Blue"
THE CSI TEAM INVESTIGATES THE MURDER OF TWO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN A VEGAS HOTEL BY AN UNUSUAL KILLER, ON "CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION," THURSDAY, JAN. 14
"Sin City Blue" - Two beautiful women are murdered in a Las Vegas hotel and the CSIs uncover an unusual killer during their investigation. Meanwhile, Langston continues to hunt "Dr. Jekyll," on CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, Jan. 14 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
|
SERIES REGULARS: Dr. Raymond Langston...... Laurence Fishburne Catherine Willows.............. Marg Helgenberger Nick Stokes................................ George Eads Captain Jim Brass....................... Paul Guilfoyle Greg Sanders.............................. Eric Szmanda Dr. Robbins......................... Robert David Hall David Phillips............................. David Berman Hodges................................ Wallace Langham Wendy Simms................................. Liz Vassey |
GUEST CAST: Henry Andrews............................. Jon Wellner Det. Chris Cavaliere....................... Jose Zuniga Officer Mitchell.......................... Larry Mitchell Donald Fiore........................... Raphael Sbarge Jeffrey Hughes............................... James Frain Karen Jones............................ Emily Montague Jillian Rose.............................. Jocelin Donahue Juan Rivera............................ Bernardo Badillo Suki........................................ Rachel Morihiro Hungover Guy.................. Dustin Lee Abraham Brian Crowley...................... Sebastian Tillinger Jenny Ochoa............................ Annette Lesure Capt. Mike Wilson....................... Rick Cramer Joe (the Bartender)....................... Gene Farber Mrs. Hughes......................... Christina Romero Yuki............................................ Rome Kanda Officer Metcalf................. Joseph Patrick Kelly |
TELEPLAY BY: David Rambo and Jacqueline Hoyt STORY BY: Daniel Steck
DIRECTED BY: Louis Milito, one of the series' executive producers
GENRE: CRIME DRAMA, MYSTERY, SUSPENSE
RATING: To Be Announced
FUN FUN FUN!! What next??!
We have been remiss in not adding this to the website sooner! The video game based on the series "The Tudors" has been available for a number of weeks already. Below is a preview of the game. You can download a free 60 minute version from Showtime's Tudors site. It includes many of the series characters, including the persona of Thomas Cromwell as portrayed by James Frain. It's a bit of adventure, puzzle and hidden object. Have a go, do!
Thanks to Frain fan Katie, we caught wind of this delightful (and a wee bit salty - be forewarned) interview by Lara Berman with James at the premiere of Everybody's Fine. He gets accused of being Ben Chaplin from someone off-camera who loved him in "Cats & Dogs;" has a gracious and funny reaction and talks about The Tudors, Brit actors and Everybody's Fine. Look out for his patient wife Marta standing in the background until she comes to fetch him away. Very cute.

James Frain to appear in Season 3, Episode 12 (season finale) of "Californication" on Showtime, Sunday, December 13, at 10:00 EST! The episode is called "Mia Culpa" and JF plays a character described as Mia's "low-life manager-boyfriend." OK!!
Here is the official page for the finale episode - Mia Culpa. It contains schedules and a photo gallery - none of James Frain so far!
No moss growing under this mans talented self!
Here is a the full episode of episode 10 of Flash Forward. You'll see James Frain's all too brief involvement in this episode - "A561984." The series is now on hiatus and will return Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 8:00/7:00c on ABC.
We hope there is much much more to come! Thanks Carol for the find!! Thanks also to ABC and HULU!!
Thanks to Kate and Teri, we have news of the latest Frain guest appearance on
TV in North America. More and more Frain! Yay for us fans, lots of new work
to enjoy! We are posting this news just in time - James will be appearing on
the Thursday, December 3 episode of "Flash Forward" starring old friend Joseph
Fiennes. The show airs on ABC at 8:00 PM (EST) 7:00 PM (CST) I've already
been following this new series and enjoying it thoroughly. Well now, there's
even more reason to enjoy it!
The
ABC press release
of this episode -
MARK AND DEMETRI IGNORE WEDECK'S ORDERS AND TRAVEL TO HONG KONG
TO FIND THE WOMAN CLAIMING TO KNOW DETAILS ABOUT DEMETRI'S FATE,
LLOYD TRIES TO EXPLAIN HIS AND SIMON'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE GLOBAL BLACKOUT,
AND ZOEY DISCOVERS THE MEANING OF HER FLASHFORWARD VISION,
ON ABC'S "FLASHFORWARD"
Gabrielle Union Guest Stars as Zoey
"A561984" - Against Wedeck's orders, Mark and Demetri travel to Hong Kong in search of the woman claiming to know details of Demetri's fate; Lloyd tries to come clean about his and Simon's involvement in the global blackout - against Simon's better judgment -- and Zoey discovers the true meaning of her flashforward, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"FlashForward" stars Joseph Fiennes as Mark Benford, John Cho as Demetri Noh, Jack Davenport as Lloyd Simcoe, Zachary Knighton as Bryce Varley, Peyton List as Nicole Kirby, Dominic Monaghan as Simon, Br'an F. O'Byrne as Aaron Stark, Courtney B. Vance as Stanford Wedeck, Sonya Walger as Olivia Benford and Christine Woods as Janis Hawk.
Guest starring are Gabrielle Union as Zoey, Ryan Wynott as Dylan, Michael Massee as man, Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nhadra Udaya, John Prosky as Mr. Dunkirk, Ivar Brogger as Paul Becker, Elizabeth Sung as Saayo Noh, Anthony Azizi as Samad, James Frain as Gordon Myhill, Kent Shocknek as Hansen, Phillip Palmer as Campbell, Michael Ealy as Marshall Vogel, Marc Menchaca as Wheeler, Scott Kelly Galbreath as correspondent #1, Suzanne Rico as correspondent #2, Ken Rudulph as correspondent #3, Mel Rodriguez as Oscar Obregon, Elise Robertson as outraged woman, Karl Herlinger as Quarry, Leslie Ishii as mortuary priest and John O'Brien as Hawaii priest.
"A561984" was written by David S. Goyer & Scott M. Gimple and directed by Michael Nankin.
From FLASH FORWARD WIKI on James character Gordon Myhill:
Gordon Myhill is one of four people to whom Lloyd Simcoe sends an email urging that they go public with the experiment that caused the Global Blackout and take responsibility for the 20 million deaths incurred. The other three email recipients are Elizabeth Rhee, Gabe Clayson, and Philippe Tarhan. ("Playing Cards with Coyote")
Simon strongly disagrees with the course of action urged in the email and visits Simcoe at Angeles Hospital to try to dissuade him. ("Playing Cards with Coyote")
During their conversation, Simcoe tells Simon, "I'm going public with or without Myhill's cooperation or yours," possibly suggesting either that Myhill and Simon are leaders of the experiment, or that Myhill and Simon are those most strongly opposed to going public. ("Playing Cards with Coyote")
Official website for FLASH FORWARD . You can watch full episodes of the series through this site as well as find lots of information.
IMDb site for FLASH FORWARD .
FLASH FORWARD on HULU .
Thanks to Teri, who found these two fun bloopers videos. We have a chance to
see these oh-so-serious Tudors cracking the cinematic illusions as they have
the occassional trip over furniture and dialouge.
Be forewarned those of a tender disposition -- there is salty language peppered throughout the reels!
We also have news that the couple have been involved in an independent
docmentary through a production company they have called "Brit Out
Productions." The documentary is called "
I
T
T
A
K
E
S
A
V
I
L
L
A
G
E
." The project is presented as "a film by Marta Cunningham" and looks to be a
intriguing take on a poignant story. For all the present information, you can
access the film's official website is
HERE
. We'll give you more news on the film as we hear it.
|
James to appear in upcoming Law & Order: SVU Episode
|
A YOUNG GIRL IS MURDERED, AND THE COPS BLAME A CONTROLLING THERAPIST WHO
THRIVES ON HIS PATIENTS' DEPENDENCE.
After a crime scene photo of a murdered teenage girl rapidly becomes an Internet phenomenon, the police initiate an investigation with the victim's father, Greg Dunne (guest star James Colby). When Greg points the detectives towards Martin Gold (guest star James Frain), his daughter's suspicious therapist, it turns out that Gold's alibi is airtight. While Fin (Ice-T) and Munch (Richard Belzer) are busy tracking down the girl's stolen credit card, Dr. Melinda Warner (Tamara Tunie) and Detective Elliot Stabler (Chris Meloni) discover that one of Gold's other patients has broken into the morgue. The case takes an unexpected turn, revealing a sinister prescription for murder at the hands of unlikely suspects. Also starring: Mariska Hargitay (Detective Olivia Benson), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), B.D. Wong (Dr. George Huang) and Stephanie March (ADA Alexandra Cabot).
Hmm...he looks pretty guilty to me! This show certainly has a fast turnaround,
considering James was filming on it just two weeks ago, according to these
Wire Image photos
!
Thanks as usual to Carol and Teri for ferreting out the lovely bits of info. You save me so much time! More time to live life and enjoy watching JF pop up on the US small screen! One wonders where the Frain man will show up next?
Here's a link to watch the full episode of "Lie to Me," called "Grievous Bodily Harm," in which James Frain appeared on Monday, October 26:
Thanks to Carol and the Facebook Fans of James Frain for the info! Enjoy!
IMDb Video:
Grievous Bodily Harm
Source:
www.imdb.com
Grievous Bodily Harm
on IMDb: Movies, TV, Celebs
It seems that the drama hopping athletic actor James Frain is in yet another
guest spot on American television. YAY RAH!! As Carol would say! Read on...
From Spoiler TV.com , a press release--
Lie To Me - Episode 2.05 - Grievous Bodily Harm - Press Release
A BLAST FROM LIGHTMAN'S PAST SHOWS UP TO CLAIM AN UNPAID DEBT ON "LIE TO ME" MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, ON FOX
Lennie James Guest-Stars
A face from Lightman's past pulls him into a dangerous criminal conspiracy, testing his friendship and loyalty. Meanwhile, The Lightman Group investigates a high school student's homicidal threats in the "Grievous Bodily Harm" episode of LIE TO ME airing Monday, Oct. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (LTM-205) (TV-14 D, L, V)
Cast: Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman; Kelli Williams as Gillian Foster; Monica Raymund as Ria Torres; Brendan Hines as Eli Loker; Mekhi Phifer as FBI Agent Ben Reynolds; Hayley McFarland as Emily Lightman
Guest Cast: Lennie James as Terry "Tel" Marsh, B.K. Cannon as Stacey, James Frain as McClellan, Spencer Garrett as Mr. Anders, Alex Stamm as Jared, J.R. Cacia as Mr. Fitzgerald, Jim Meskimen as Otto Frankel, Nieko Mann as Jasmine, Jay R. Ferguson as Jimmy, Pasha Lynchnikoff as Jones
Source: FOX
Official site - LIE TO ME
Internet Movie Database page for the episode - Lie To Me
Well THANKS Ms. Carol for the news!! Here's another new show to check out!
Let's hope it's a good one.
Hi All, this just in from Frain fan friend Carol :
Here's a link to James Frain's full episode of "Grey's Anatomy" on the IMDb!
It's called
"I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching' Me."
Now you can be watchin' too! Enjoy!
Okay, having survived watching this overly chatty, takes itself way too
seriously awful awful program, I feel safe in saying that even in the midst of
the hospital horror that is
Grey's Anatomy
(a purely personal take, mind), James Frain proved quite easily to be the best
thing about it. Others liked him as well.
Take for example, this excerpt from Carina MacKenzies review entitle "'Grey's Anatomy': Paranoid schizophrenic meets paranoid residents" in the L.A. Times :
The Good... "Aliens have impregnated my mother!" Any episode that can successfully work in a line like that is fantastic in my book. But in all seriousness, Lexie's patience and attention to Tom, the paranoid schizophrenic (guest star James Frain), was a high point in this episode. When Lexie manages to sort out the jumble of facts and statistics crammed into her photographic memory, she emerges as charmingly compassionate and highly intelligent.
I'll even give kudos to the writer who fashioned the storyline of parent &
child on either side of middle age being in a caregiver/mental patient
scenario. It's a very real and often difficult situation which has many
problems and not always easy answers. James Frain did a wonderful job with the
material in the limited subplot arena and it was also wonderful to see Adrienne
Barbeau again, who played James' mother.
The program has not begun to win me over. I won't be tuning in again despite the very full cast of very excellent actors. The writng staff seems determined to work in an amount of dialog which would out-text WAR & PEACE into a mere hour. The commercials had less banter! I'm amazed I didn't get a migraine.
from
Coming Soon .com
:
Walt Disney Pictures has set a December 17, 2010 release date for Tron Legacy. The move puts the highly-anticipated film up against Sony's The Green Hornet and The Smurfs, as well as Warner Bros.' Yogi Bear (We assume at least "Smurfs" will move, since that's two Sony releases on the same date.)
Tron Legacy is directed by Joseph Kosinski and stars Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett and Michael Sheen.
In the 3D adventure, Sam Flynn (Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Bridges), looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant (Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
Thanks to Carol for the update, and as she says --
Over a year away. That's quite a wait! With James Frain's involvement, it
should be worth it.
This Wonderful trailer of the
TRON
sequel was discovered online by Carol at Canadian site "Scout Magazine." We
have learned nothing new about James Frain's specific role, however, the sequel
seems to have a new title - "
TRON: LEGACY
" instead of the before mentioned
T2ON
. I rather liked "
T2ON
," but nevermind. The trailer looks awesome. We wonder what other news may
come out of this weekend's Comic Con International held in San Diego? Thanks
Carol you sleuth you!
July 27, 2009
Your webmaster has it on good authority that major filming for TRON: LEGACY has now wrapped in Vancouver. According to my Vancouver source -- "They just wrapped the filming for Tron Legacy - now they have a year of CGI to do! Jeff Bridges is all over town bragging about it." I'm sure he has a lot to brag about! And as our main Frain fan girl Teri says, This is the first time [James Frain] has ever been in a movie with tons of special effects...which probably means doing a lot of acting in front of blue screens, which has to be a challenge. A year to do the CGI--this thing is gonna be loaded with special stuff!
We look forward to seeing the results, which of course will require a good deal of patience on our part, seeing how it may be better than a year away from the projected release date of 2010 or 2011, depending on where you read. The IMDb page for TRON: LEGACY will be a good space to watch for updates, as well as AJF - of course!
We have been remiss in posting this sooner (bad webmaster!!,) but the lovely
James Frain is appearing on USA Network's
"In Plain Sight"
in the US tonight, Sunday, August 2, 10:00 PM in the episode titled "Once A
Ponzi Time." If you miss it then, or just want to see it more than once,
here's the full schedule of airings for the week--
TV schedule for "In Plain Sight" Once a Ponzi Time (2009)
* Sun. Aug. 2 10:00 PM USA Once a Ponzi Time #2.14
* Mon. Aug. 3 1:00 AM USA Once a Ponzi Time #2.14
* Wed. Aug. 5 12:00 AM USA Once a Ponzi Time #2.14
* Thur. Aug. 6 11:00 PM USA Once a Ponzi Time #2.14
* Sat. Aug. 8 5:00 PM USA Once a Ponzi Time #2.14
* Sun. Aug. 9 9:00 AM USA Once a Ponzi Time #2.14
Then of course, for the real slackers, or wonderful crazed fanatics, you can watch Full Episodes Online ! Programs become available a week after they first air on the network. James gets to play with US Marshall Mary and US Marshall Marshall on the USA network in the U.S. of A! Fun fun fun!
Your webmaster took the liberty of writing to
Crusades
writer Andy Briggs asking for a synopsis of the film, it's intended audience
(since he writes children's material,) and (of course) what James Frain's role
is and I received a lovely reply. Here is the plotline from Mr. Briggs:
CRUSADES is a Sci-Fi Channel (or now, SyFy Channel) movie, intended for a saturday night audience. Although there will be scary and "gruesome" elements, it is intended to entertain older family members - but is not "18" rated horror.
James plays Sir Gregory, a Knight of the First Crusade who is fighting an internal battle over his ebbing faith. We begin the story as the war finishes, and the Knights are searching for a suitable gift from the Holy Land to give to the Holy Father in praise of their victory. Sir Gregory and his Knights discover a piece of the true cross and set off to Rome to present it to the Holy See.
Along their journey, Gregory saves Rebecca, a young serf and an atheist - with whom he grows close to. They befriend a brave Muslim warrior, who joins the Christian Knights on their adventure, and slowly rekindles their faith - especially as their journey is hampered by a serious of terrible "biblical" events, that build in magnitude until they finally realize their "prize" has a darker secret... and something terrible is hunting them down...
Well, we are thrilled that this seems to be a starring role for James, and a
fun one at that!
A
HUGE
thank you to Andy Briggs for satisfying our Sy-Fy curiosity!!
This is Mr. Briggs third film for the SyFy Channel, the first two being "Rise of the Gargoyles" and "Ghost Town." He has a 4th film for the Sy-Fy Channel underway, as well as a Disney TV show in the works and more serious material. We welcome you to take a look at his agents resume for him - ANDY BRIGGS for an idea of the great range of work that he's done.
For those of you with kids who are into fantasy and superheroes, Andy has a
wonderful parallel series of books published under the headings of either
Hero.com or Villian.net. There are some very good reviews you can find online
and they can be found for sale on
with synopses and reader reviews. There are six books out now with two more
coming in 2010.
Andy sounds as busy as James!
Earlier post:
We have gotten the news that James has just completed filming in a project
called "
Crusades
." The listing at his IMDb says that his role is "
Gregory
" and that the project is for television. It is written by Andy Briggs and
directed by Lorenzo Senatore. The genre is listed as being
Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi. What fun! The IMDb site for the project is here -
"
Crusades
."
The project status was updated on July 6, 2009 and the USA release date is
planned for December 31, 2009. An interesting choice for a New Year's Eve.
It seems to be a film and not a mini-series as it's listed runtime is 88 minutes. The director seems to be a first time director, however Mr. Senatore has dozens of films to his credit dating back to 1998 as both a cameraman and a cinematographer. Writer Andy Briggs has worked on projects with brother and fellow writer Peter Briggs, such as "Judge Dredd" and "Freddy vs Jason" and "Foreverman" for Spiderman creator Stan Lee and legendary producer Robert Evans. Many of his books and comics have been for a young reader audience, but we don't know if that is the intended audience for this "Crusades" project. Which makes this "old" reader pleased that this is a TV film. Your webmaster won't need to rope some young relative into a trip to the theater! If James Frain is in it, we'll be watching.
We will keep you informed as details present themselves.
That's right, another year has FLOWN by in the James Frain Admiration Society which is known as "About James Frain!" As usual, he hasn't dissappointed. He's managed to slip into his 40's with grace and continues to pop up all over the globe with one amazing project after another. There's no moss growing under this Essex lad!
All of us here wish to thank our many worldwide visitors who have popped in for a peek at what news and chatter we've humbly gathered on our favorite Frain. We hope that you've been informed and have enjoyed our cyber scrapbook. The updates have been a bit slower this year, but then Mr. Frain is not the only one aging! He's just doing it more gracefully than some of us. A-hem!
Your webmaster wants to take this opportunity to warmly thank the many fans who continue to contribute to the site. Carol, Teri, Jan, Lisa, at least a couple of Jens and a Katie spring to mind! It's grand company and always inspirational to find fellow Frain fans.
To everyone, please enjoy and do come again.
Carol, bless her found the following article about the Pinnacle reading on the
Writers Guild site
:
News Release: June 16, 2009
Writers Guild, West's Latest Seasoned Readings Series Launches with Larry Gelbart Pinnacle Premiere LOS ANGELES -- The Writers Guild of America, West launched its latest Seasoned Readings series to spotlight the work of veteran writers on June 15 with the premiere staged reading of Pinnacle , a dark comedy TV pilot which is the latest project from Writers Guild and Emmy Award-winning writer Larry Gelbart ( M*A*S*H, Tootsie, And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself ).
Drawing an SRO crowd, cast members appearing in Tuesday night's special staged reading included actors Bradley Whitford ( The West Wing ), Cary Elwes ( Saw ), James Frain ( The Tudors ), Carl Reiner ( Ocean's Thirteen ), David Paymer ( Drag Me to Hell ), Steve Sandvoss ( Latter Days ), and Erin Mathews ( Hannah Montana ), among others in attendance.
A pitch-black comedy set in UFA, the fabled German motion picture studio, as the Nazis came to power, limited-run series Pinnacle is "meant to demonstrate how a film director with a myopic, misguided ambition barely notices the suffering all about him in his pursuit of a successful career," according to Gelbart.
"This series is a godsend in an age of one 'ism' after another that today's writers are faced with," commented Gelbart on the value of Seasoned Readings and the Guild's continuing efforts to address ageism in the entertainment industry.
Presented by the WGAW Career Longevity Committee and part of the WGAW's ongoing
diversity initiative, the Guild's Seasoned Readings program continues to
promote, celebrate, and provide a forum for the work of older writers. The
CLC's mission aims to assist writers of all ages in planning for long and
successful careers by giving them the tools and knowledge to adapt to changes
in the entertainment industry marketplace.
Upcoming Seasoned Readings special events are slated through Fall 2009.
The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.
It looks as though the afore promised Evan Handler did not make an appearence
in the cast reading, plus there were a few more than mentioned. We are well
impressed! Also impressive is James' new 'do.' I'm guessing it has everything
to do with his current role in TR2N which he's filming in Canada.
The Tudors
got his head, but
TR2N
only took his hair! As Frain fan Jennifer says, it's definitely "low
mantainence."
June 14, 2009
It seems that the busy James Frain is at it again. He's either wrapped his "TR2N" role in Canada or merely slipped away to be involved in this reading of another project in which he's involved. And in such good company too! Could the talented Mr. Frain be dipping his toes into dark edge comedy? Read on...
WHAT:
The Writers Guild of America, West's latest
Seasoned Readings
series kicks off with the world premiere staged reading of
Pinnacle
, a dark comedy television pilot that's the latest project from award-winning
writer Larry Gelbart (
M*A*S*H, Tootsie
).
"This series is a godsend in an age of one 'ism' after another today's writers are faced with," commented Gelbart on the value of Seasoned Readings and the Guild's continuing efforts to address ageism in the entertainment industry.
Presented by the WGAW Career Longevity Committee and part of the WGAW's ongoing diversity initiative, the Guild's Seasoned Readings program continues to promote, celebrate, and provide a forum for the work of older writers. The CLC's mission aims to assist writers of all ages in planning for long and successful careers by giving them the tools and knowledge to adapt to changes in the entertainment industry marketplace. Upcoming Seasoned Readings are slated throughout summer/fall through 2009.
WHO:
Cast members scheduled to appear in this special
Pinnacle
staged reading include: Cary Elwes (
Saw
), James Frain (
The Tudors
), Evan Handler (
Sex and the City
), David Paymer (
Drag Me to Hell
), Carl Reiner (
Ocean's Thirteen
), and Bradley Whitford (
The West Wing
).
WHEN:
Monday, June 15, 2009
7:00 P.M.
WHERE:
Writers Guild of America, West
7000 W. 3rd Street, 2nd Floor Multi-Purpose Room
Los Angeles, CA 90048
*Parking available in WGAW's underground lot; enter off Blackburn Avenue.
Above article from WGAW
A big thank you! to Carol for this news. We here at AJF certainly look forward to seeing where "Pinnacle" will lead. With Larry Gelbart at the helm, dare we say - it could be good!
Thanks to our Carol, we have a link below to TV Fanatic of the complete list of submissions being put forth for the 2009 Emmy Awards. We are happy to see that James Frain's remarkable performance as Thomas Cromwell in The Tudors has earned him a place on this list. Awards are lovely and this performance certainly deserves one! We shall see if the powers that be agree! Keep a good thought.
From the official Academy of Television Arts and Sciences website, a press release from June 1, 2009:
One Week Earlier than Previously Announced
"The new date moves the Emmys away from a weekend where CBS has an NFL doubleheader, which can delay the start of prime time on Sunday." said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS. "This is better for the live event, the broadcast and our audience at home."
The original date for the broadcast was set prior to the NFL releasing their 2009 television schedule.
The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards is being produced by Don Mischer Productions.
Nominations Ceremony Coming July 16
Nominations for the 61st Primetime Emmys will be announced July 16 at 5:40 a.m. (PT) from the Academy's Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood.
2009 Emmy Awards: Full List of Submissions For Nomination
Posted on June 4th, 2009 1:26 PM by Dr. Shepherd
Filed under: Emmy Awards
Below is a list of the drama and comedy shows, stars, and guest stars who have been submitted for consideration in the 2009 Prime Time Emmy Awards, coming this fall.
Some submissions, obviously, are more likely to receive voter love than others. Who do you think stands the best chance of being nominated in each of these categories?
Follow the jump for the list of nominees, and share your thoughts ...
Thanks again to Carol! To read the complete list, which includes Max Von Sydow and Henry Cavill in the Supporting Actor category along with James, please go to TV Fanatic.
Thanks to Frain fan Tilly, we've discovered this 5 minute clip including James from his performance as 'Pilodes' instructor Jeremy in Sam Seder's 2004 Pilot Season. It's so good to see this again and always fun to see James Frain do comedy. Fair warning - this is for somewhat mature audiences and for those who can at least tolerate Sarah Silverman. Enjoy!
To see more clips from this mini-series, go here - Pilot Season. Thanks again Tilly!
The following is a brief look into the passionate and gripping Season Three finale of The Tudors. Henry is onto new women and being talked into lies about Cromwell, his Lord Great Chamberlain.
In this video provided by Showtime, Thomas Cromwell is condemned as a traitor and thrown behind bars in the Tower of London.
With the final scenes still seared into our Cromwell lovin' heads, we find that the whole of Season 3 is being offered for pre-order at Amazon in the United States. Word is that it will be released sometime in the winter of 2009. So, before Cromwell fades in our memories {as if!} along with the (many) previously beheaded, we have the chance to make a spot on a shelf for this season's DVD and await it's arrival!
From Amazon.com:
The Tudors: Season 3
Series: The Tudors Format: DVD
List Price: $42.99
Price: $27.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. You Save: $15.00 (35%) Pre-order Price Guarantee.
This title has not yet been released. You may pre-order it now and we will deliver it to you when it arrives. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
from Creators .com:
Thursday May 14, 2009
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: "The Tudors" star James Frain says although he loves stepping in the shoes of King Henry VIII's advisor, Thomas Cromwell, on the Showtime series, he's excited about getting the opportunity to work on a project his kids can enjoy.
"I'm about to go off to shoot this Disney movie 'Tron.' It's lots of effects and cool stuff like that, so I'm looking forward to that. The only thing is, I'm not allowed to really talk about it. They're all so super secretive now," he notes. "I also have a De Niro movie coming out, though I was only on it for a few days," he says of the movie "Everybody's Fine." "That was like working with the king. That's the real king."
From what Carol has been able to find out on the Internet Movie Database, "Tron" is a sequel to the 1982 Jeff Bridges film of the same name. It's currently filming in Vancouver and a 2011 release is planned. Jeff Bridges stars once again, and Michael Sheen is rumored to be involved. Although, as James Frain says, Disney is being very secretive, there are lots of articles (57 so far!) to read about the project on the News page for the original film on the Internet Movie Database. The IMDb page for the film is here - TRON 2.0
A teaser trailer was shown at the LA Comic Con in October last year and there are some less than stellar quality versions uploaded on You Tube, for those interested in going there. With the film trend these days in sequels becoming franchises, would it be too much to hope that TR2N could become TR3N, TR4N and even TR5N? Of course, with James Frain's penchant for dying on screen, he most likely won't make it past the first sequel! At any rate, what a treat this should be! Something fun for all of us kiddies! Here's hoping that he has a bit more screentime than it seems he'll have on "Everybody's Fine."
Thanks to Carol and Teri for the sleuthing!
Our biggest enjoyment at the moment is the playing out of this third season of "The Tudors." Though the show is now confirmed to run a fourth season, we know this will be Cromwell's last. His portrayal of Thomas Cromwell, Lord Great Chamberlain and Earl of Essex, right hand man to King Henry has no doubt consumed his professional attention. In this season of the series we will see Cromwell rise to his highest, followed soon after by a very dramatic fall. With everything we've seen thus far, we expect to see a truly outstanding performance from James Frain in a programme that has had no shortage of amazing performances.
Thanks to Teri we have some insight into Cromwell's last days from a Tudors extra (with photos) which has appeared on the wonderful website Tudors Wiki. (Click on the link and scroll down towards the bottom of the gallery.) This photo is one of a number taken by an extra on the day of Cromwell's demise. She said of the experience, "...two day's work resulted in possibly the greatest piece of acting I have ever had the pleasure to not only witness, but be a part off, James Frain (Cromwell) was given a standing ovation for his work over the last few days...for those who enjoy the history, you will understand...his end was historically correct...I am so very proud to have been a tiny part of it...." This certainly has us on the edge of our collective seats at AJF!!
Another snippet from a Wiki thread asking for behind-the-scenes stories had one extra telling tales on James Frain - "...the actor who plays Thomas Cromwell is a wired one (once was mimicking what the executive producer said to us: 'You arent paying him enough respect. You must give him more respect by bowing more...' Cromwell (actor): (in a screeching womens voice, even though the producer wasn't a woman) 'Yes! you arent giving me enough respect!' )." Hey, those are long days those folks put in.
Teri and Lucy have pointed out another small tribute to James Frain's portrayal of Cromwell in Season Two of The Tudors from a very sensible online journal - Gerri Leen, A Writer Gets Connected. In an entry entitled Upcoming TV Shows, DVD Reviews she writes, "The most fascinating character to me is James Frain's Cromwell. So often Cromwell's played merely as an ambitious slug, and Frain brings so much dimension to the man; even when the script doesn't give him room, he finds a way to show something more in his eyes." Hear, hear! Well said Gerri Leen!
Scroll on down for more Tudors news (also added to our Tudors page) about Season Three of Showtime's best guilty pleasure.
from The National Ledger - An Ecclectic Mix:
By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith
May 6, 2009
James Frain, who stars alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers in "The Tudors," believes the show may be about historical figures from the 1500s, but it's a lot more relatable to modern day people than some would assume. Then of course when you add the cable TV twists, it becomes a lot spicier on screen than in our history books.
"What they're doing with this show is shaking up history a bit and adding this pop angle to it in a way that we can relate to these people being like us. They're finding the connections between their world and our world," notes Frain, who portrays the controversial Thomas Cromwell. "We were looking for parallels as a way of recreating the feeling of the court rather than portray the exact look of it. Sometimes if you try and do it completely accurately to the actual look and the flavor of the history, it distances you because there are lots of things about our world that are very different."
One thing that won't keep audiences away is the hunky Meyers, who certainly knows how to heat things up as the powerful, promiscuous king. "Henry VII was the rock star of his time. That's part of what Johnny's performance is all about -- creating what an equivalent character would be like today," says Frain. "These people are driven by the same things we are driven by. Like we are sexual, they were driven by passion and were confused about ideas of the world and religion and how the world should be run, what they are prepared to die for and kill for. It just goes to show human nature hasn't changed that much."
We're not entirely sure why this wee interview is refered to as " The Videoland View" but never mind, we are always happy to hear from James Frain!
The final lines in the video translate from German (Zur Erinnerung an Earl of Essex - enthauptet am 28 Juli 1540) into English as To the Memory of - Earl of Essex - beheaded on 28 July 1540.
Thanks to Teri for scouting out this Cromwell tribute!

From Monsters & Critics.com:
Smallscreen News
By April MacIntyre
Apr 14, 2009, 5:17 GMT
Fans of period drama "The Tudors" can revel in season three, with the knowledge that a guaranteed season four in the wings.
Showtime will bring the series back for a fourth and final season.
Season two of "The Tudors" exceeded the first with more compelling storylines and building court drama. Season three sees a less vital and increasingly impatient King Henry grow tired of Anne Boleyn's replacement, Lady Jane.
The second season was defined by the unraveling of the Catholic Church and rise of Thomas Cromwell's (James Frain) power and influence; it was Cromwell, a cunning self-educated man, who was an architect of the Reformation movement in England with the introduction of religious leader Thomas Cranmer to King Henry VIII's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) court.
These actions are the frame for Henry's courtside politics and affairs of love in season two, like season one, are a clever blend of actual history and creative commissioned entertainment at the hand of show creator and writer, Michael Hirst.
The cast and crew worked their magic at Ardmore Studios, near Dublin. The crew remains the same - and this season you will again truly appreciate the outstanding achievements of Emmy award winning costume designer Joan Bergin, who took the honor in 2007 for her exemplary work on "The Tudors."
Her craftsmanship abounds in the gowns and adornments for Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) which are breathtaking. Boleyn had 17 major costumes along with jewels, shoes and headpieces and all these were handmade from scratch.
Bergin's eye captured the smallest details of the commoners and various court denizens. "I did a lot of research into Spanish and Italian fashion from the period. I've amalgamated Tudor style with more European influences, so overall the look is softer. ..This season we've created in the region of 1500 costume pieces," revealed Bergin. Cromwell's construction of a new religious order with Henry as ordained King and leader of the Church has drained all the once powerful Bishops and Cardinals dry, even the Pope's (Peter O'Toole) terse edicts of excommunication are to no avail.
OToole's callous and smug portrayal of Pope Paul III, a historically noted morally challenged leader, gives insight to the brewing resentments over the Catholic Church's critical mass of corruption thus bearing the rise of Protestant leaders and the Reformation itself.
It was the polarizing character of Anne Boleyn that unites the sub-plots and overall driving action of season two. Henry's lust gives way to his will, the Church is broken. Boleyn is now the wife and the scorn of the people who still regard Katherine of Aragon as the rightful Queen.
Boleyn's seductress charms and well-played arsenal of feminine wiles come back to haunt her; the court beauties still seduced her willing King of enormous appetites. Anne has come full circle, bears the scars and pays an ultimate price. "She's on the knife's edge through the season," explained Natalie Dormer of her character. "The stakes just get higher and higher, there is no Plan B for Anne. ..it's like 'be careful what you wish for."
There was so much to savor for season two of "The Tudors"; the performances were all keenly delivered and nearly upstage the immensely talented Irish star of the series, Rhys Meyers, with their well-written and enacted ensemble work. Notable moments were made by Natalie Dormer, Nick Dunning, Jeremy Northam, James Frain and Peter O'Toole in pivotal scenes.
The series also features stunning camera work by cinematographer Ousama Rawi and production design by Tom Conroy, who opened up the sets in this season and updated the interiors to reflect the ten years that supposedly passes between the seasons.
"There is more of a Renaissance feel to the decor and, of course, more shields and war mementos on the wall," shared Conroy. "I've also been over to England looking at the details of various National Trust Houses. For instance, I saw a basement window in Devon which I used as a tower dungeon window."
In one of the more visually arresting scenes, Conroy had to recreate a giant copper boiling pot where one unlucky cast member meets his fate. "We were looking for a large pot, but there wasn't any of a sufficient size around so we had to commission it," revealed Conroy.
"It's copper, but cleverly done to reduce the weight. We lit a fire under it and set up an elaborate pulley system for the actor to be lowered into the boiling oil, which of course was water with starch in it to create air bubbles. It was very effective."
Now, season three of The Tudors is in full-swing on Showtime.
Showtime has announced it will renew historical drama series "The Tudors" for a fourth and final season, according to Variety.
The 10-episode season will debut in the spring of 2010.
Series creator and executive producer Michael Hirst will also be back to write each episode, which will conclude the saga of King Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and chronicle his final two marriages and subsequent mental instability.
The Tudors is one of the network's top-rated series, with the third season's April 5 premiere netting a cumulative total of 1.3 million viewers.
So, a fourth (and Frain-less) season of The Tudors is now confirmed. I have been assured by a number of James Frain fans that this final season holds no interest for them. To each their own!
I for one wouldn't mind seeing how the Tudor Hirst-ory plays out. After all, there are more heads to lop off, more wives to marry. All of this to see knowing the delicious irony that this male-heir obsessed monarch will be followed in line by his three legitimate children, Edward, Mary and his youngest Elizabeth, Anne Bolelyn's solitary contribution to the royal lineage. A mere girl, disregarded most of her young life - to follow her father in the longest royal reign until modern times. Talk about Tudor Girl Power!
We found this charming and interesting press release dated 24 March, 2009 from up and coming media studio
. There may be something lost in the translation, but it seems Mr. Frain did some recent work at Graffitti Studio in Bulgaria. The following is the press release as it appears on their website:


The synopsis of the film as reported on FILM SCHOOL REJECTS.com
For those out of the know, the story is one of a widower who decides to visit each of his five children. Each of their lives turns out to be dramatically different from what he'd envisioned, and it reflects in his own life and in his marriage. It's about a man gaining true perspective late in life.
from Dark Horizons news:
Everybody's Fine
The Miramax comedy starring Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore, and Sam Rockwell will come out November 20th 2009.
As Teri says, "The producers must have faith in the film if it's getting a holiday release." Thanks Teri for passing on this info! James Frain has a small role in the film as a character named "Tom."
Love that title! A wee find from our Carol:
Here's a tiny bit from The Stamford (CT) Advocate online regarding "Everybody's Fine," the film that James Frain appears in with Robert DeNiro. Glad to read that it's still targeted for release this year!
The Dish: De Niro returns for one more scene
Susie Costaregni
Posted: 03/14/2009 11:06:11 PM EDT
Updated: 03/15/2009 12:57:25 AM EDT
Scene . . . Robert De Niro was back in Stamford recently, filming a scene in front of Nobu Florist of Stamford on Main Street for his new flick "Everybody's Fine," which also stars Drew Barrymore and Kate Beckinsale. Most of the filming took place in Stamford last summer. Owner Margaret Cluceru chatted with De Niro. The movie is scheduled to be released this year.
That's right, a free Online peek of the seasons first episode! We have it embedded on our TUDORS page, or better yet, (for fullscreen possibilities) you can go to The TUDORS VIP. You may need to register to become a "VIP insider," and when prompted, the password for viewing is "king"
The finds just keep on coming! Carol found this spoiler alert of Season Three at - where else? - SPOILER TV.com:
The Tudors - Season 3 - Production Notes
THE TUDORS returns for Season 3 on SHOWTIME April 5, 2009 at 9:00 PM (ET/PT). THE TUDORS covers a short but turbulent period in the life of Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), the most notorious sovereign England has ever had.
As we start the third season, Henry is 27 years into his reign. He is at the height of his political power, but he's beset by difficulties – both personal and professional. On the political front, the ever-vulnerable Tudor Dynasty comes under threat from within. In the north of England, a make-shift army of 'Pilgrims of Grace' rise in revolt at the severity of the Reformation. In suppressing the revolution, Henry displays all his complexity as a ruler -- willing to listen but fearless to ruthlessly extinguish dissent. This period also sees the rise and dramatic fall of Sir Thomas Cromwell (James Frain), Architect of the Reformation....
...To read more, we invite you to go to the source - Spoiler TV - The Tudors - Season 3 - Production Notes Posted by DarkUFO at Wednesday, March 18, 2009
source - Showtime
This preview of Season 3 is from the excellent blog of one of our favorite Tudors fans - 
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Tudors returns for its third season on Showtime early next month. I've seen the first two episodes - thanks to a preview copy from Showtime - and the series looks to be as wonderful as ever, just the mix of hard history and sweet flesh we've come to expect from this drama about one of the most important eras in our past, a time when our British ancestors clawed and fought and loved their way into the modern age.
What's most new about this season is Jane Seymour, now Queen, and now played by Annabelle Wallis (Jane was played last year by Anita Briem). I like Annabelle's performance much more than Anita's, whose Jane was bland. Annabelle has a soft, engaging power, and reminds me, in terms of accent and looks, of Princess Diana.
There are other powerful performances. James Frain returns with a superb rendition of Thomas Cromwell, Alan Van Sprang is new in the court as the feisty, piratical Sir Francis Bryan, and Max Von Sydow and his expressive face is in Rome as Cardinal von Waldberg. Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII and Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon are as good as they've been, too - which is to say, quite good.
And there are some fine ladies in court. Look for Charlotte Salt as Lady Ursula Misselden, and an outstanding nude scene, which made me glad that the FCC has not yet expanded its repressive rule to cable.
Censorship and the struggle for democracy is also very much in the air on The Tudors, where rebellion and religious intolerance serve as midwives to our ways of life. I'll be back with more after the season gets under way in April.
As Carol says - "Powerful"...."superb" -- nice words for James Frain's performance! And thank you Carol for the find!

The same thing, only different, this is the "Royal Cast of Characters" from above, but with the possibility of viewing in full screen. Gotta love that!
The Tudors: Season 3 - Cast Interview [part 1]
This video cast interview is four additional minutes beyond the above selection, speaking of more upcoming features of Season Three's plots and characters. As James Frain says - "It's sexy, it's intriguing, and it's dramatic." Okay, we'll be watching.
The Tudors: Season 3 - Cast Interview [part 2]
Thanks Teri for the YouTube finds!
A lighthearted look at Cromwell's capture of the King's good graces
Every so often it pays to roam around the superhighway looking for new Frain stops. We've just found this terrific video highlighting the troubled Julius Folyat from BBC's min-series "The Buccaneers" set appropriately to Coldplay's song "Clocks." For anyone having seen James Frain in this outstanding early role, his character was obsessed with clocks and trying to keep the Victorian order of the day. The video maker has made the video sympathetic to Julius's character's point of view. I know Teri will be pleased.
The following two videos are from What Rats Won't Do, the first is the trailer, the second features Bill Thomas in a very funny cricket scene, with James in it briefly. Someday, it would be glorious if this adorable film would show up on DVD, dontcha think??
This video is dedicated to the twisted tale of poor Paul Raines, man-done-wrong by Jack and Audrey on season 4 of "24." It was a roller coaster ride and a great role for Mr. Frain. It's set to Rhianna's song "Unfaithful."
This last video is a montage of the television mini-series "Spartacus" from 2004 in which James plays the slave/gladiator David. There is only a glance of him, but it's still worth a peek. The video is set to music by the beautiful English group "Mediaeval Baebes" with the song "Salva Nos."

Hi all. Thanks to a number of emails, we have belatedly learned that James has popped up on the new Sci-Fi series in the States on the Fox channel. The new series stars Joshua Jackson and is called "Fringe." The synopsis of the episode according to the YouTube clip below including Mr. Frain is as follows:
The team is called in to investigate a bank robbery when one of the thieves is found embedded in a solid wall. Walter believes they're after something of his, but things take a turn for the worse when the thieves ambush one of them.
After a series of mysterious bank robberies, a suspect is found embedded into a wall, causing Walter to realize that they have not only found a way to literally walk through walls, but are looking for something he's made in the past.
While investigating a string of bank robberies, Olivia, Walter and Peter find one of the suspects trapped inside a vault as if the wall had solidified around him, leading them to believe that a group of thieves has found a way to defy the laws of physics.
The episode recap below includes James' appearance, but WARNING - some of this is a bit gruesome.
To watch the whole video of this episode, you can go to either of these pages:
IMDb - FRINGE, SEASON 1, EPISODE 10 - SAFE.
By the way, the episode title is "Safe." Guess who's not? We do think it's safe to say that this is only a guest performance for James. Of course, this is science fiction...
Fun stuff. Gruesome, but fun. Thanks to all for the info, emails and links - Carol, Lucy, Theresa, Snippet, Google, etc. Cheers.
It's Reigning Men
This article appears in various Canadian news sites, published July 22, 2008

The Tudors will not last as long as Henry VIII had wives - six seasons, or one season for each wife - but it will come close.
The Tudors will likely last four seasons, Robert Greenblatt, entertainment president of the U.S. pay-TV channel Showtime said over the weekend.
The Tudors' second season concluded on Showtime last month, and will air on CBC-TV in the fall. Last week, the sprawling historical saga that stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the 16th century King of England earned a pair of Emmy nominations, for its casting and costumes. CBC is one of The Tudors international co-producers.
Henry VIII had six wives. They were, in order, Catherine of Aragon (annulled), Anne Boleyn (executed), Jane Seymour (died after giving birth to Henry's son), Anne of Cleves (annulled), Katherine Howard (executed), and Catherine Parr (outlived Henry).
"As we know, the wives are limited," Greenblatt said. "The first two seasons we did featured a wife per season, but the story will accelerate a little bit after that. The third season will be the next two, Anne of Cleves and Jane Seymour."
That would be Jane Seymour, the historical figure, and not Jane Seymour the actress.
"I love meeting people who think Jane Seymour, the actress, is in the show," Greenblatt said. "They know nothing about history." The final season, Greenblatt said, "will be the final two wives."

from TV Shows On DVD.com:
Peter O'Toole is among the cast additions for this release, coming Dec. 30th
Posted by David Lambert
9/22/2008
The Tudors presents the rarely dramatized, tumultuous early years of King Henry VIII's nearly 40 year, omnipotent reign (1509-1547). In addition to his famous female consorts and 20+ year marriage to Catherine of Aragon to the infamous dalliance with Anne Boleyn, the series delves in to Henry's most notable political relationship, and the deconstruction of the Roman Catholic Church in England. Several weeks ago we reported that The Tudors - The Complete 2nd Season is coming to DVD on December 30th; our information came from an early pre-order listing at Amazon.
This morning Showtime and Paramount Home Entertainment officially announced the release, confirming the provided date. The set, running 542 minutes long for 10 episodes, will come with Widescreen video, and audio available in English 5.1, English 2.0 and Spanish Mono (the same as the first season set). Package art and extras, if any, aren't available yet, but stay tuned and we'll update you when more is available.
Thanks Carol for bringing this to our attention!
Posted: Tue., Aug. 5, 2008, 6:42pm PT
from Variety:
By DANIEL FRANKEL
Max von Sydow joins 'The Tudors'
Actor to appear in four episodes of third season
Max von Sydow has been added to the cast of "The Tudors" for the Showtime series' third season.
Von Sydow will play Cardinal Von Waldburg, a German-born clergyman who tries to organize the defeat of Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers).
Von Sydow will be seen in four of the eight season-three episodes of "The Tudors," a Canadian-Irish co-production that's filming in Dublin. The third season of the series will bow next year on Showtime.
Other recent additions to the skein include British singer Joss Stone, who will play Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.

Cardinal Otto Truchsess von Waldburg and the lovely Max von Sydow
And the ladies...

Anne of Cleves and Joss Stone.....practically TWINS!!
Thanks to "Snippet," we have learned that for fans in the United States, this episode (and all others) of Law & Order: CI is available to download through Amazon.com for the nominal price of $1.99. The link to the Season 7 download purchase page is here - Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Season 7. Here are the details and link to the episode with the lovely James Frain:
17. Vanishing Act, Jul 20, 2008
When celebrity illusionist Miles Stone disappears from his own stunt, Goren and Eames must explore the exclusive and very secretive world of magic and magicians in order to unravel the mystery. Christopher Lloyd (& James Frain) guest star.
Original Air Date July 20, 2008, Runtime 43 minutes.
Great news for Frain fans, we enjoyed some fresh Frain fare this month! It seems that just before heading off to Ardmore Studio in Dublin to become Thomas Cromwell again, James Frain fit in a guest appearance on the 7th season of the television series "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Thanks to the sluethful Teri, we discovered that he could be seen on July 20, 2008 in the U.S. in episode # 17 which is entitled "Vanishing Act."
James played magican Dean Holiday. His character description reads:
"Internationally known magican. Charming and charismatic. Threatened by the popularity and style of Miles Stone, a young magican who has turned his back on traditional tricks in favor of extreme tests of his own endurance. When Stone's latest spectacle goes horribly awry, he is questioned by Goren and Eames (Vincent D'Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe) about his familiarity with Stone and his work."
(source - Fansite - The Reel Vincent D'Onofrio.com)
Vanishing Act
So, goody goody. We didn't have to wait until the next Tudors or (heaven help us) another cable showing of "Into the Blue" to get our newest Frain fix. Dean Holiday, charming and charismatic. Sounds good to us.
Thanks Teri!!
The premiere of this second series/season of the programme is upon us on BBC 2 Friday, 1 August at either 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM depending on where you read! By the way, we've heard that CBC in Canada is currently replaying season one of The Tudors while Canadian viewers await season two in the fall.
The 9:00 PM UK time is suggested by television listings for The Tudors at Digi-Guide.com. Everyone seems agreed on BBC 2 being the channel, and we have in fact confirmed the time online at the BBC @ TV listings page -BBC TWO, WHAT'S ON. So, 9 PM it is. At 8:00, you can enjoy a lovely hour of Gardeners' World.
The 8:00 PM time we read online at the UK-TV Guide site along with the following article:
Divorce Tudor-style
The Tudors
BBC 2 at 8:00pm
The lavish historical drama - which takes a fresh look at the life of Henry VIII - returns for a second series. In the opener, divorce Tudor-style is imminent.
As the Catholic Church struggles in vain to control the demands for an annulment by Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), the King appoints himself head of the Church of England. A cook is blackmailed into poisoning a high-ranking bishop; then boiled alive for his crime.
When Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) insists Henry break all contacts with Katherine of Aragon (Maria Doyle-Kennedy), the noble Queen is banished from court.
The Reformation has begun...
With the third installment of Michael Hirst's vision of Henry VIII's days of infamy being filmed just outside of Dublin this summer, it's no surprise that a few court characters should pop up on the streets. Pictured here on June 19, 2008, are Henry Cavill and James Frain, Tudors veterans flanking actress Charlotte Salt -- who was rumoured to be playing wife #4, Anne of Cleves, but we now hear a whisper that she will be Lady Ursula Misseldon, merely another Henry conquest.
We know that James Frain's Cromwell is safe from our overwrought Henry's overworked chopping block until she shows up, so yes, Cromwell's days are now numbered. Could that be why Mr. Frain isn't beaming his usual lovely smile? Then again, this Anne's days as Queen are also numbered. I guess only Mr. Cavill is owning that somewhat smug smile well.
We wish them all a happy shoot and are keeping fingers crossed hoping that filming won't need to be compromised by a SAG strike.
We have no idea what to make of this current Web rumour, but it's an intriguing idea and this first is a lovely article from the Herts and Essex Observer. The graphic tease is our own creation.
*note from webmaster: Our "news" here at AJF is fast becoming the next Doctor Who rumour digest - or "WHO's CLUES" (thanks Carol!), with James Frain being thrown into the mix. Thanks to all from our crack AJF research team who keep finding these bits all over the web!
November 13, 2008
James Frain's odds have shortened from 40-1 to 20-1 amid internet speculation that he has been approached to become the next Time Lord.
Former classmate and James's first leading lady, Observer chief reporter Sinead Holland, said: "James was so clever he skipped a school year and was still the smartest kid in the form.
"In our last year at St Joseph's we performed an alternative nativity called The Shepherd's Story and James was the lead. I played his nagging wife and at one point I had to chase him around the stage, threatening to beat him with a shillelagh, a traditional Irish club. I'd like to think the Cybermen and Daleks would hold no fears for him after that."
Mary Jackson, his A-level English teacher at Newport Free Grammar School, hoped a plum role and prime-time exposure in the UK would confirm the fame he has already secured in the United States.
She remembered the talented and artistic student, who was the eldest of eight children born to stockbroker dad Paul and teacher mum Geraldine, and has followed his career with interest.
The former Miss Muncie had just started teaching when she tutored James, who had been brought up in Stansted before the family moved briefly to Leeds and then back to Bishop's Stortford. She said: "James was a very good student, very intelligent and hard-working."
Mrs. Jackson said James, who is now married to American dancer and writer Marta Cunningham, was greatly influenced by drama and English teacher Richard Kitchen and worked with him, researching, writing and performing a play about a Thaxted vicar.
He went on to study English and drama at the Univer-sity of East Anglia in Norwich before graduating from London's Central School of Speech and Drama, where he was discovered by Sir Richard Attenborough, who cast him in the film Shadowlands in 1993.
He has since starred in movies such as Elizabeth, Hilary and Jackie and Where the Heart Is, where he played opposite Natalie Portman, and secured roles in high-profile TV series 24, The Tudors and Law and Order: Criminal Intent, as well as giving acclaimed stage performances - including most recently The Homecoming on Broadway.
Mrs. Jackson was intrigued by the idea that he could be the next Doctor: "I think it would be great. Although he has had a lot of very good parts, he has not yet had such a big role over here. It would be lovely to see him do something so much in the public eye - and have all his hard work rewarded."
Bookmaker Paddy Power has David Morrissey as 2-1 favourite for the role. An announcement is expected next year.
So, even with his odds improving James is currently a long shot, but it's lovely to see him amidst the gossip! We here at AJF, along with his old hometown newspaper think he would be a brilliant Doctor Who, of course. It's also wonderful to read about his early forays into acting, a thing which seems to have come naturally to him. And it's somehow little surprise to hear that he was a good, hard working student. Could there be a Frain Time Lord in our future? Only time will tell.
from kaster borous.com:
Is this the 11th Doctor?
November 14, 2008
(UPDATED) Not well-known, a rising star, accomplished stage and TV character actor - sounds like David Tennant in 2005, doesn't it?
Of particular interest is James Frain's Wikipedia entry - now amended - is the statement that indicated the star had already accepted the role.
This of course goes against the accepted schedule and shortlisting process, but nevertheless Frain makes an interesting candidate, far more than say Colin Salmon or Marc Warren.
He's appeared in shows on both sides of the Atlantic, including 24 and The Tudors in which he played historical figure Thomas Cromwell.
Ejiofor's stunning, Oliver Award-winning turn as Othello at the Donmar last year also displays what I would call the necessary classical gravitas that playing the Doctor requires. I'm not saying I want an actor who will orate to the back of the Tardis, but somebody with.. presence. Tennant has shown this quality is necessary to be successful (and most of the other Doctors had it) in the role. You cast somebody in this role without presence at your peril (I refer my learned friends once more to Tom Ellis - being married to Tamzin Outhwaite just isn't enough I'm afraid…)
You just cannot argue with logic like that.
Aside from the "not well-known" comment [we think he's well-known], we are just loving this web chitter chatter on our favorite actor! As our good friend Jan comments,
We can but hope that the 'Powers That Be' persuade themselves that the new Doctor can be a man with dark curly hair, a killer walk and a voice that's chocolate to the soul. Would that I could be his Assistant.
Indeed.
And if you'd like to keep abreast of the ongoing new Dr. Who speculations, we suggest you visit the comment board at one of the fastest growing Doctor Who fansites
Who vianNet.co.uk.
DAN GRIMMER
James who you might well ask, but former Norwich student James Frain has been tipped to become the next Doctor Who.
The ex-University of East Anglia student's odds have shortened from 40-1 to 20-1 amid internet speculation that he has been approached to become the next Time Lord.
An addition to the 40-year-old actor's Wikipedia page - made just after David Tennant's shock decision to quit the hit BBC show - indicated the star, had already accepted the part - but the entry has since been removed.
Frain, who has starred in films such as Elizabeth, Hilary and Jackie and Where The Heart Is, along with television shows 24, The Tudors and Law and Order: Criminal Intent, studied English and drama at the UEA from 1987-1990.
He graduated with a first class degree honour in Drama Studies and went on to study at the Central School of Drama in London.
His tutor at the university, Jon Hyde, said James had always stood out in the class and was the perfect character to take over the role of the doctor.
He said: "He was a very rare combination of person, we always knew he was going to do well, he had a lot of talent as an actor, a very vivid imagination but was also very good academically as well as with the practical side of things.
"He was in a very good year of pupils, many of whom graduated with first class degrees. Lots of the people he worked with have gone on to be producers and directors in London."
He also revealed James had been one of the first students to perform at the Waterfront Venue when it was first opened in the late 1980s as a new a music venue.
He said one of James's key dramatic roles had been as starring in the film, Shadowlands alongside Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, playing a student who was taken under Hopkins' wing.
Mr Hyde said: "I think James would make a brilliant Doctor Who. The character is funny, witty, intelligent and handsome, all of which James is as well. We would be really pleased to see him up there in such a key role."
Bookmaker Paddy Power has David Morrissey as 2-1 favourite for the role. An announcement is expected next year.
Others in line for the role include James McAvoy 6/1, John Simm or Rhys Ifans 8/1, Anthony Head 12/1, Alan Davies, Jason Statham at 14/1 and even Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, 25/1. The odds are 20/1 the next doctor will be female.
Yes, yes. After the not-particularly-surprising announcement that David Tennant's leaving Doctor Who after the 2009 specials the speculation about who'll replace him is getting ridiculous. All you have to do is mention a name and "Doctor Who" in the same sentence and some idiot will write an article about it (see: Billie Piper, the guy who played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter, Colin Salmon, the inevitable James Nesbitt rumour, Paul McGann). Apparently having already been in the series playing another major character, playing an earlier incarnation of the Doctor, or just saying 'Not interested thanks' is enough to get an article written. It's as though there isn't enough to fill papers, what with the economic crisis, Congo, social security procedures, a new American president... (By the way, if you're interested in keeping a bemused eye on the latest frantic guesses then Medium Rob's blog is the place for you.) However, amongst the more outlandish claims are a few that sound intriguing. The sight of David Morrissey in the trailer for the Christmas special had me making squeaky noises of pleasure back in the summer. I have loved that man ever since The Deal, and the prospect of him actually being the 11th Doctor was genuinely exciting. See, the Christmas special is called "The Next Doctor", and we knew Morrissey was playing a character called The Doctor and claiming to be a Time Lord... So balls to the two minute sneak-preview on Children in Need last night, which made utterly certain to spoil any kind of suspense for Christmas. Morrissey isn't Eleven; he doesn't recognise David Tennant's Doctor and is clearly basing his performance on David Tennant so we can presume he's playing a con artist pretending to be Ten. Probably along the lines of Captain Jack's original appearance, the con artist who gets redeemed through contact with the Doctor and turns out to be a thoroughly decent chap deep down. And if that weren't unoriginal enough, the fans who buy the audio plays say there seems to be a big similarity to an audio Colin Baker story. Ho hum. When's Steven Moffat taking over again? If anyone hasn't seen it yet (and watch at the end, where David Morrissey and David Tennant glance at each other out of the corner of their eyes in perfect unison. I love these guys), here's the clip:
By Web Reporter
A BOOKMAKER is taking bets on a Hollywood star from Bishop's Stortford becoming the next Doctor Who - and the Observer is backing him all the way!
Intriguingly, an addition to the 40-year-old dark and brooding actor's Wikipedia page - made just after David Tennant's shock decision to quit the hit BBC show - indicated the star, who stole the show in a 1970s nativity play at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Great Hadham Road, Bishop's Stortford, had already accepted the part - but the entry has since been removed.
And now for something not completely different:
Christian Cawley
It is in fact a description of James Frain, the British actor who bears a passing resemblance to new showrunner Steven Moffat - and Frain has seen his odds slashed from 40-1 to 20-1 in the past week.
Meanwhile, proponents of a black Doctor have been getting behind rumours of Chiwetel Ejiofor being shortlisted for the part. The Stage have given that particular concept some publicity this week, noting that:
from the Online edition of the Norwich Evening News, another "local" paper of James Frain's past:
Former Norwich student James Frain has been tipped to become the next Doctor Who.
15 November 2008 07:00
from the blog - Studio Living:
If I can just be hypocritical for a moment though... I want to indulge my own wee gossip mongering. While Liz thinks Andrew Buchan would make an excellent Doctor - nobody's mentioned him, she just thinks he'd be good - I saw some speculation about James Frain. Clearly, we know that papers are filling space by printing any name that happens to pop into journos' brains, but I think James Frain would be bloody marvellous. He's been playing Thomas Cromwell in The Tudors (my idea of trash TV) and I reckon he has just the right mix of gravitas and levity to be an excellent Doctor. He's old enough to be a change from Tennant's baby facedness but young enough to be able to handle the running and jumping. He's got a low enough profile to be accepted as the Doctor by young fans. And, he's not in the Tennant heartthrob mould so we might be able to move away from all those tedious 'assistant falls in love with the Doctor' stories. Since The Tudors is currently shooting the Jane Seymour / Anne of Cleves periods, any history buff can tell you he's about to become commitment-free...