Coronation Street’s Theo Silverton actor James Cartwright has a famous father, who has a wealth of showbusiness experience
Joe Crutchley Screen Time reporter
10:47, 13 Dec 2025Updated 13:21, 13 Dec 2025
ITV Coronation Street Theo actor on working with real-life famous dad at work (Image: ITV)
Coronation Street’s James Cartwright has a well-known father in real life who fans will recognise.
The actor joined the ITV soap this year as Theo Silverton, the new romantic interest of Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), and it wasn’t long before sparks started to fly between them.
However, it wasn’t long before Theo’s true nature was revealed as he has been manipulating Todd for months, attempting to control every aspect of his life.
Moreover, the abuse has escalated to physical violence. Recently, however, fearing what his partner might do, Todd installed hidden cameras in their home, with a powerful social episode due to air next week.
James plays Theo on the ITV soap(Image: ITV)
Away from Coronation Street, James, who plays Theo, is no stranger to television, having had a role on the Tracy Beaker series as Nathan. But it seems that show business is in his blood…, reports the Mirror.
James’ father is the successful writer and playwright Jim Cartwright. Over the years, Jim has written a vast amount of work, most notably the 1992 play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which was adapted into a film in 1998 starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine.
His father is a successful dramatist
Over the years, James has collaborated with his famous father on numerous occasions. In 2009, he was cast in the West End revival of his dad’s play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, taking on the role of Billy.
According to the father-and-son pair, James was the final candidate amongst 30 hopefuls to audition for the production. Jim revealed to The Guardian: “I was so proud. I forgot it was him.” James then confessed: “My dad is my best mate.”
James also reminisced about his childhood with his celebrated father, recalling an incident when he was seven years old at a matinee performance of the original Little Voice. He explained: “At the cast picnic afterwards.
James has worked with his dad plenty of times(Image: ITV)
“I ate too much, stood on my head and was sick over Pete [Postlethwaite]. But seeing the play made me understand what Dad did. Until then, Dad was just Dad. He played football and scribbled.”
Moving forward to 2016, Jim and James collaborated once more on another production, a solo performance piece entitled Raz, penned by Jim and featuring James. Discussing their renewed partnership, James shared with The Times: “His writing’s in my blood, it’s rich and beautiful. I know what he means instantly.”
Jim subsequently remarked: “Aye, it’s a pleasure when we work together. But it’s not like we’re a theatrical dynasty, like the Redgraves or the Foxes. We’re more like Steptoe and Son.”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX