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Canadian Stephan James to star in new film by Moonlight director

Toronto-born actor James will be in a new upcoming film from Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins.
Del Cowie · CBC ·
Actor Stephan James has been cast in a new film to be directed by Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of Moonlight. (Getty Images)

Canadian actor Stephan James has been cast in a new upcoming film by Barry Jenkins, the Oscar-winning director of the critically acclaimed Moonlight.

According to Variety, James will play the fiancé of the main character Tish in If Beale Street Could Talk, based on the novel of the same name by the acclaimed black writer James Baldwin. Jenkins has reportedly wanted to make the film for a number of years.

The Toronto-born James, 23, won a Canadian Screen Award earlier this year for his portrayal of sprinter Jesse Owens in the film Race and also starred in Ava DuVernay's Selma as well as the recent TV series Shots Fired.

Speaking to q earlier this year about the roles he chooses to play, James said, "I think that our art, television shows and films should be reflective of our society and the issues that are taking place in our society."

Baldwin's writing has been receiving more attention recently through films like the documentary I Am Not Your Negro, directed by Raoul Peck who also appeared on q earlier this year.