Global fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has found the new leading man for its latest Light Blue fragrance campaign—British actor of Greek descent, Theo James. And if the early buzz is any indication, the casting is a masterstroke.
James, seen basking in the golden hues of a Mediterranean summer aboard a pristine white inflatable yacht—his look completed by an equally white speedo—is joined by Italian supermodel Vittoria Ceretti.
This marks a turning point in James’s global image—a transformation from respected actor to bona fide international star. At 40, with his chiseled features and calm intensity, he was already poised for such a leap.
However, James didn’t need D&G to climb into the spotlight. That journey was turbocharged by Guy Ritchie’s hit Netflix series The Gentlemen—a slick, stylized crime drama that marked a personal milestone for James. In interviews, he recalled watching Ritchie’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as a teenager and dreaming of one day working with the iconic director.
His acting breakthrough came in 2010 with A Passionate Woman and a minor role in Downton Abbey. By 2014, he was leading The Divergent Trilogy, firmly placing him on Hollywood’s radar.
Later came his turn in The White Lotus Season 2, further proof of his range and magnetism. But it was Ritchie’s recognition that helped reposition him as a versatile actor—one equally convincing as a reluctant aristocrat and modern gentleman.
Married to his college sweetheart, actress Ruth Kearney, and father of two, James’s off-screen life only adds to his grounded, thoughtful persona. And that persona extends far beyond red carpets and photo shoots.
Since 2016, James has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency. He’s visited Greece, France, and Jordan to meet Syrian refugees and raise awareness around displacement. In one particularly moving message shared through the UN’s social media, James said:
Opira Bosco Okot, right, Refugees for Climate Action, poses with actor Theo James, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, during the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
“No one chooses to become a refugee. But we can all choose how we respond to people in need of safety—people whose lives depend on it. Refugees arrive with skills, talents, and ideas; they just need the opportunity to contribute. My grandfather found refuge in Syria and was able to rebuild his life as a doctor and give back. That’s why it’s so important for me to stand in solidarity with today’s refugees and help share their stories.”
