Theo James Is in His Crazy-Hunk-Denial Era
We cannot wait any longer for Theo James to return in The Gentlemen, so British GQ has kindly provided a temporary distraction. And by distraction, we mean the actor smoldering his way through the magazine’s September 2026 issue for photographer Ben Parks.
The cover story, titled “The earthly pleasures of Theo James,” catches the 41-year-old actor at a particularly loaded moment: The Gentlemen is about to return, his London restaurant life is expanding, the Bond questions still will not die, and the man continues to insist he does not see himself as some sort of crazy hunk. Sir. We have eyes.
THEO JAMES
Get Into the British GQ Menswear Mood
Read Theo James’ full British GQ cover story, then shop into two labels confirmed in Ben Parks’ September 2026 fashion shoot.
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Sam Ranger styled the shoot, with grooming by Nadia Altinbas using Sisley skincare and Oribe Haircare, tailoring by Soraia Samju, and production by The Arcade. The fashion story moves through labels including Dolce & Gabbana, Coach, Tod’s, Dunhill, Tekla, Dries Van Noten, Celine and Polo Ralph Lauren, alongside pieces sourced through the National Theatre Costume & Props Hire.
It is a very British-GQ sort of fantasy: countryside, expensive clothes, artfully unruly curls and Theo James looking like somebody told him manual labor was sexy but neglected to explain the actual labor part.
The Gentlemen Season 2 Is Finally Almost Here
More importantly for those of us who have been waiting not-so-patiently, Netflix has officially set The Gentlemen Season 2 for September 3, 2026. James returns as Eddie Horniman opposite Kaya Scodelario’s Susie Glass, and this time he is also serving as a co-executive producer.
The first season left Eddie embracing the criminal empire hidden underneath his aristocratic inheritance. Season 2 pushes that ambition further, taking Eddie and Susie’s operation beyond the English countryside and into Italy as their partnership with Bobby Glass becomes increasingly unstable.
Netflix says the second season brings back Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Ray Winstone, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones and Giancarlo Esposito, while newcomers include Hugh Bonneville, Benjamin Clementine, Benedetta Porcaroli, Michele Morrone, Sergio Castellitto, Maya Jama and boxer Chris Eubank Jr.
Theo James Would Rather Talk About the Work Than the Face
The GQ interview also gets into James’ long-running discomfort with being reduced to heartthrob status. That tension dates back to the Divergent years, when his fame became intense enough that he started pulling away from the machinery around it. These days he sounds more at peace with the bargain, even if he still has complicated feelings about selfies, celebrity and how much of an actor’s identity belongs to the public.
Which is particularly funny when paired with a fashion spread whose basic visual thesis appears to be: what if Theo James were hot, but near hay?
James also discusses the persistent James Bond speculation and essentially removes himself from the fantasy casting conversation, saying he considers himself too old for it now and, more importantly, seems deeply uninterested in the life-changing level of fame that would come with the role.
That reluctance tracks with where his career has gone lately. Between The White Lotus, The Gentlemen, his independent production company Untapped, upcoming thriller The Hole, and his restaurant ventures, James appears far more interested in building a weirdly varied grown-man career than chasing one giant franchise again.
The Hair Has Its Own British GQ Story Too
Yes, British GQ gave the curls their own coverage. Altinbas explained that she wanted a more polished version of James’ natural texture while leaving a couple of curls loose enough to keep the finish from looking too precious. The grooming team used Oribe Curl Control Silkening Creme, Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse and Kevin Murphy Free.Hold among the products behind the look.
So there you have it: television crime empire expanding, restaurant empire expanding, hair apparently operating as a separate media franchise. Theo James is busy.
See More of Theo James for British GQ September 2026
The supplied images below continue Ben Parks’ September 2026 British GQ cover shoot, styled by Sam Ranger.
Theo James for British GQ, September 2026. Photography: Ben Parks; styling: Sam Ranger; grooming: Nadia Altinbas; tailoring: Soraia Samju; production: The Arcade.
The issue arrives at an almost suspiciously convenient moment: British GQ gives us the smoldering photos now, Netflix gives us Eddie Horniman back on September 3. We accept these terms.
Source: British GQ; Netflix Tudum.
