James Wai L. Phoon (born 1994) is an English actor. He began his career in theatre. On television, he is known for his roles in the BBC Three series Wreck (2022–) and the third season of the Netflix period drama Bridgerton (2024).
Early life Phoon was born in Brighton, Sussex. He is of Chinese and English descent. He trained at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting awarded by the University of Surrey.
Career Phoon made his professional stage debut as an understudy in Lord of the Flies at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and on tour in 2015. In May 2017, Phoon took over the role of Craig Bowker Junior from Jeremy Ang Jones in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre. Phoon also served as an understudy for Scorpius Malfoy and became the first actor of the global majority to play a Malfoy in the Wizarding World. After leaving Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in 2019, he starred as the titular Peter Pan in Gary Owen's stage adaptation at Storyhouse in Chester.
After doing voice work for video games and animated series, Phoon made his live-action television debut with a recurring role in the 2022 BBC Three horror comedy Wreck. That same year, it was announced Phoon had joined the cast of the Netflix period drama Bridgerton for its third season as Harry Dankworth, Prudence Featherington's (Bessie Carter) new husband. The season premiered in 2024. Also in 2024, Phoon starred as Branwell Brontë in the National Theatre production of Underdog: The Other Other Brontë.
Personal life Phoon is gay. He spoke of having a boyfriend in 2020.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2020 Sugarbabies Diamond Short film 2021 Dodo Josh Voice role, 20 episodes Ninja Express Voice role, English version 2022 Wreck Hamish Campbell 6 episodes JoJo & Gran Gran Adam Voice role, episode: "It's Time to Visit the Aquarium"2024 Wreck Hamish Campbell 1 episode 2024 Bridgerton Harry Dankworth Season 3
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2019 Total War: Three Kingdoms Sima Jiong Arknights 2F English version 2022 Total War: Warhammer III Live A Live Namkiat English version Desta: The Memories Between Sun Evil West Vergil Olney
Music videos "Wake Me Up" (2021), Foals
Stage Year Title Role Notes 2015 Lord of the Flies Understudy Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London / UK and Ireland tour 2017 Southern Baptist Sissies Benny / Iona Above the Stag Theatre, London 2017–2019 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Craig Bowker Junior / Scorpius Malfoy understudy Palace Theatre, London 2019 Peter Pan Peter Pan Storyhouse, Chester 2021 The Convert Alix Above the Stag Theatre, London 2024 Underdog: The Other Other Brontë Branwell Brontë National Theatre, London The Tempest Ferdinand Theatre Royal Drury Lane2025Much Ado About NothingClaudioTheatre Royal Drury Lane
References
External links
James Phoon at Spotlight