James Maxwell

James Maxwell was an American-British actor, theater director and writer, closely associated with the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, he moved to Britain at 20 to train at the Old Vic Theatre School. He collaborated with Michael Elliott and Casper Wrede at the 59 Theatre Company, then helped form Manchester's 69 Theatre Company with Braham Murray. Maxwell became a founding artistic director of the Royal Exchange and stayed in that role until his death in 1995. He translated and adapted works including Danton's Death, Daniel Deronda and Pride and Prejudice, and directed more than 20 productions. His best-known television role was King Henry VII in Tower of London: The Innocent and The Shadow of the Tower. He also appeared in The Evil of Frankenstein (1964), Otley (1969) and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1970).