James Philip Laurenson (17 February 1940 – 18 April 2024) was a New Zealand stage and screen actor, based in the UK.
Laurenson appeared in numerous British Shakespearean productions, notably Richard II, and as Rosencrantz in Hamlet.
[3] Other costume roles by Laurenson included a French courtier in Elizabeth R and the Earl of Lincoln in Shadow of the Tower (1972).
Laurenson took the lead role of Julian Marsh in the 1984 West End production of Gower Champion's musical 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Throughout his career, Laurenson had guest roles in numerous popular TV series such as Z-Cars, Space: 1999, The Professionals, Armchair Thriller, Hammer House of Horror, Remington Steele, Cagney and Lacey, Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, Inspector Morse, Bergerac, Boon, Lovejoy, Prime Suspect, Sharpe, A Touch of Frost, Heartbeat, Silent Witness, Taggart, Midsomer Murders, State of Play, Hustle, Endeavour and Spooks.
Laurenson had many appearances on BBC Radio, including the role of the Squire of Altarnun in the 1991 adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's Jamaica Inn.