James Frain

James Frain is a British actor known for his sharp intensity and commanding presence, especially in sci-fi and fantasy roles. He’s played key parts in several iconic genre series, including Star Trek: Discovery, where he portrayed Sarek, Spock’s Vulcan father, bringing nuance and gravitas to a foundational character in the Star Trek universe. In The Magicians, he took on the role of the enigmatic and dangerous Professor Lipson, while in True Blood, he played the fanatical vampire Franklin Mott.

Frain is also recognized for his work in Gotham as Theo Galavan/Azrael, a villain with a twisted sense of destiny, and in Orphan Black as Ferdinand Chevalier, a shadowy figure with ties to a powerful conspiracy. His talent for portraying morally complex characters has made him a recurring presence in genre TV, earning him a reputation as one of sci-fi and fantasy’s most reliable and compelling actors.