Bradley Stephen Riches (born 11 December 2001) is an English actor and writer. He is known for his role as James McEwan in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper (2022–present). In March 2024, he appeared as a housemate on the twenty-third series of Celebrity Big Brother.
Bradley Riches | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bradley Stephen Riches 11 December 2001 Surrey, England |
| Alma mater | Emil Dale Academy |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2016–present |
Early life and education
editBradley Stephen Riches was born on 11 December 2001 in Surrey, England.[1][2][3] He was diagnosed as autistic at the age of 9.[4][5] Shortly after, he began attending a drama group after which he said he "found [he] had this voice" and became more confident in communicating with people.[1] Riches went on to graduate from Emil Dale Academy with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Musical Theatre, awarded by the University of Bedfordshire.[6]
Career
editRiches made his stage debut in 2016, appearing as twins Ben and Lisa in the musical Disaster!. He went on to appear in various other stage productions including Goodnight Mister Tom, Monstersongs, A Christmas Story: The Musical, Footloose and Kin the Musical. He also had a minor role as a soldier in the film 1917.[7] In April 2022, Riches portrayed a student at Truham Grammar School in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper.[8][9] His character was later established in the second series as James McEwan who has a crush on Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan).[10][11]
In November 2023, Riches released his debut book, "A" Different Kind Of Superpower. It is a semi-autobiographical children's book that recalls Riches' autism diagnosis as a nine-year-[...] and reframes neurodivergence in all its forms as a superpower". Riches said he wanted to "expand on [his] story so that as many people as possible could find themselves in some part of the character's journey".[12] In March 2024, Riches was a Housemate Celebrity Big Brother in its twenty-third series finishing 6th after a surprise back door eviction[13][14][15] Later in the year, he is also due to appear in the BBC One comedy horror series Wreck as Freddie.[16][17][18]
Personal life
editRiches is gay, and said that "as a gay person with autism, he 'found it hard to navigate' a world that is 'fit for neurotypical people'".[19] In April 2024, he became engaged to theatre director Scott Johnston.[20]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1917 | Soldier | Minor role | [3] |
| 2022–present | Heartstopper | James McEwan | Starring (season 2) Recurring (season 3) Guest (season 1) |
[11] |
| 2024 | Celebrity Big Brother | Himself | Housemate; series 23 | [14] |
| 2024 | Wreck | Freddie | Regular role | [17] |
Stage
edit| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Disaster! | Ben/Lisa | Charing Cross Theatre | [21] |
| 2018 | Goodnight Mister Tom | Sammy | Southwark Playhouse | [22] |
| 2018 | Monstersongs | Child/Dragon | The Other Palace | [23] |
| 2018 | A Christmas Story: The Musical | Farkus/Elf/Swing | Waterloo East Theatre | [24] |
| 2019 | Footloose | Willard Hewitt | Southwark Playhouse | [25] |
| 2022 | Kin the Musical | Ensemble/Cover | The Other Palace | [3] |
Bibliography
edit- "A" Different Kind Of Superpower (2023)[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Bradley Riches". Revamp. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ https://heatworld.com/entertainment/big-brother/bradley-riches/
- ^ a b c "Bradley Riches". United Agents. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "'Heartstopper' S2's Bradley Riches on Being a Visible Autistic Actor". Instinct. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Heartstopper season 2 star Bradley Riches on magic of on-screen autistic representation: 'I never had this when I was younger'". Metro. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Lowson, James (24 June 2024). "Netflix star Bradley Riches announced as celebrity performer at Aylesbury's 2024 pantomime". The Bucks Herald. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ https://www.capitalfm.com/news/heartstoppers-bradley-riches-fact-file-age-height-saltburn/
- ^ "Heartstopper reveals new cast members as production for season 2 begins". Attitude. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Heartstopper cast tease 'bigger, better' season two". Attitude. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Heartstopper season two star Bradley Riches says autistic TV representation 'heading in right direction'". PinkNews. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Heartstopper: Tobie Donovan and Bradley Riches are Attitude's fourth cover of five dedicated to Netflix show". Attitude. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Heartstopper Favourite Bradley Riches's First Book Reframes Neurodivergence As A Superpower". 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Netflix Heartstopper Actor 'Added To Celebrity Big Brother Line Up'". Capital. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Heartstopper star reportedly set to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house". PinkNews. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Who is Bradley Riches? Celebrity Big Brother 2024 contestant". Radio Times. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Heartstopper's Bradley Riches lands next big role in season two of horror series Wreck". PinkNews. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Heartstopper star joins BBC's hit queer slasher series Wreck". Gay Times. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/03/05/heartstopper-fans-bradley-riches-celebrity-big-brother-house/
- ^ "Exclusive: Heartstopper star calls for more "positive LGBTQ+ representation" in schools". Gay Times. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Abbie (10 April 2024). "Inside Heartstopper's Bradley Riches' Surprise Engagement". Capital FM. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Disaster!: A 70s Disaster Movie Musical, Charing Cross Theatre – Review". Everything Theatre. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Goodnight Mister Tom @ Southwark Playhouse*". Hayley Sprout. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Monstersongs, The Other Palace Review". Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Waterloo East Theatre".
- ^ "Footloose - Review - Southwark Playhouse". London Theatre Reviews. Retrieved 29 February 2024.