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Harrison Burns

Police Sergeant Burns can let his good character get the better of him.

Fact title Fact data
Played by:
James Cartwright
Status:
Occupation:
Police officer
Lives at:
Woodbine Cottage

Based in Borchester, but his patch includes Ambridge. Harrison is a good-hearted man who enjoys being at the heart of the community with roles in village productions and a stint as cricket captain. But the revelation of Philip Moss's modern slavery offences made Harrison reassess his relationship with where he lives.

Make sure you lock your windows at night
PC Harrison Burns

His relationship with initially faltered when Harrison did his duty and arrested Fallon's father for selling cannabis. But love will out... They are now married.

Key Relationships

James on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 6 Music's Roundtable (2014)

The Archers on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 6 Music's Round Table (2014)

James Cartwright (aka Harrison Burns) flirts with the host...

James on Harrison

He is a noble and caring local police officer who is duty bound to do the right thing.

James Cartwright

James was Born in Lancashire. He currently splits his time between London and his home town of Chorley.

James’s interest in acting began at an early age. He was involved in school productions of plays and realised that it might be quite a nice way to make a living. After finishing school at 16, James went off to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

Within the first few months of leaving school he had been cast in a Danny Boyle film, a Michael Winterbottom film and a TV hospital drama.

James has worked regularly ever since in Film, Television and stage.

Theatre includes History Boys, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Passing By, and a tour of the Far East with British National Theatre Company.

Television credits include Johnny Shakespeare, for which James won Best Actor at the Royal Television Society Awards. Others include Clocking Off, Holby, Minder, Instinct and Casualty.

Film credits include Vinyl, 24 Hour Party People (as a young Morrissey), Clubbed and Vaccuming (with Danny Boyle).

James joined The Archers in December 2013 and was absolutely delighted after being a fan of the show for many years.

He is a talented musician and singer, playing guitar, keyboards – and ukulele!

Archers highlights

Meeting the rest of the cast and getting to know them as people and not just their characters. Everyone is so lovely!

Other career highlights

Everyone is so lovely!
James Cartwright

Winning Best Actor at The Royal Television Society Awards.

Favourite

  • Actor - Peter O’Toole. I still remember watching Lawrence of Arabia the first time and just being absolutely blown away by the magnificence of the man.

  • Book - My Left Foot. The first book that made me actually cry. Its an incredible tale of success against the odds.

  • Film - Saturday Night Sunday Morning. A fantastic British classic