In 2016, James-Bailey also appeared in one episode in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as Jake who was a man who went on a date with John Paul McQueen (James Sutton).
[2] In 2021, James-Bailey was cast as Ethan Williams in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks as the kidnapper of Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson).
He also said "I won't give too much away, but Ethan is here to shake things up and bring a new, albeit 'manic', energy to the village – unfortunately so for Darren," he teased.
[6] In 2022, James-Bailey was shortlisted for "best newcomer" for his portrayal of Ethan, but he lost out to Heather Peace who plays Eve Unwin in EastEnders.
[7] In 2023, James-Bailey was shortlisted for "best partnership" shared with Anna Passey who plays Sienna, but they lost out to Dominic Brunt and Mark Charnock who portrays Paddy Kirk and Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale.