James Mackenzie (actor)

James Mackenzie (born 15 May 1979) is a Scottish actor and game show host, best known for playing the original lead role in the children's game show Raven. His titular character's catchphrase on the show was "Let the challenge... Begin." He has also played Gary Trenton in the BBC Scotland soap opera River City. Since 2018, Mackenzie has played a widower father in the CBeebies show Molly and Mack.

James Mackenzie
Mackenzie as Raven in 2009
Born (1979-05-15) 15 May 1979
Dundee, Scotland
Alma materQueen Margaret University College
Occupation(s)Actor and game show host
Years active1995 – present[1]
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Websitehttp://www.jamesmackenzie.co.uk

Personal life

Mackenzie was born in Dundee and has lived in Scotland all his life. He was educated at Queen Margaret University College, where he studied acting.[1] He is the son of actor Michael Mackenzie, who in the 1970s played the title role of Tarot in Ace of Wands, a cult children's TV series of the time;[2] Mackenzie Sr. also made several appearances in Raven: The Island as Cyrus, as well as in River City, with Mackenzie playing the character Alasdair Quinn.[2]

Career

His television career has mainly focused on the Raven series, but he has also appeared in several other television programmes, such as Rebus, Taggart,[3] CBBC series Dani's House and Scotland soap opera River City. His stage career over the years has spanned everything from Macbeth to pantomime. His voice can also be heard on many commercial voiceovers.[4] Mackenzie toured the UK with Dundee Rep's production of Sunshine on Leith,[5] a musical based on the songs of the Proclaimers, starring alongside The Lord of the Rings' Billy Boyd.[6]

As well as his acting work, he has also presented for CBBC on a couple of occasions, and appeared as a special guest presenter on the CBBC art show, SMart.[7] He currently has a part on Molly and Mack as a widower father, and played a convict called Caleb in season 4 of Outlander.[8]

Filmography
Television
Year Title Role
1997–1999 Taggart Keith Burns
2001 Rebus Pete
2002–2010 Raven Raven
2017–2018 Raven of Old
2006 Still Game Leader of the Neds
2006 Raven: The Island Raven
2007 Raven: The Secret Temple Raven
2009 Raven: The Dragon's Eye Raven
2011–2012 Dani's House Zorlock
2015–2017 River City Gary Trenton
2018– Molly and Mack James
2018–2019 Outlander Caleb
2019 Swashbuckle Al-Hoy

References
  1. "James Mackenzie". Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  2. Fotheringham, Ann (25 January 2019). "From Raven to Rabbie - James Mackenzie on his acting journey". Glasgow Times. Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. "James Mackenzie is Scotland's new fantasy pin-up". 2 December 2002. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  4. "The Spotlight: JAMES MACKENZIE". Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2007.
  5. "James Mackenzie |Brennan Artists". Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  6. "Billy Boyd Interview with The Proclaimers". Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  7. "CBBC Episode Listing". Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  8. Truscott, Isabelle (28 November 2019). ""Let the Challenge Begin!" - Raven star takes on Sahara". Peeblesshire News. Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
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