If Tom Stourton’s face feels oddly familiar, you’re not imagining it. Chances are you’ve seen him being extremely silly on CBBC, popping up on some Hollywood films, or more recently shattering some glass tables on HBO’s hit TV series, Industry.
Industry has returned to our screens for a fourth season, bringing with it the return of James Ashford. Played by Tom, James is back as the ambitious CEO and key investor.
From sketch comedy and children’s telly to Hollywood films and prestige drama, here’s everything you need to know about Industry‘s Tom Stourton – including his famous family and his Horrible Histories past.
Who is Tom Stourton?
Tom Edward Alexander Stourton is an English comedian, actor and writer, best known for his TV work. He recently appeared in season four of HBO’s Industry as James Ashford, who notably suffered a ‘baby stroke’ and crashed into Harper Stern’s glass table while muttering the word ‘Sesquipedalian.’
Born September 1987, he is currently 38 years old.
©Lia Toby/Getty Images for Warner Bros.
Who is Tom Stourton’s dad? Inside his famous family
Turns out Tom isn’t the only one in his family living in the public eye! His dad, Edward Stourton, is an award winning British broadcaster and presenter of the BBC Radio 4 programme Sunday, having also presented editions of Correspondent and Panorama.
Tom’s older brother is also a public figure, the author of books The Night Climbers (2007), The Book Lover’s Tale (2011) and The Happier Dead (2014).
What has Tom Stourton appeared in? His career explained
Tom first kickstarted his career as a comedian while he was studying at university, appearing in the web series High Renaissance Man that he co-wrote alongside his close friend Tom Palmer. After finishing university, the pair continued working together, writing and performing as the comedy duo Totally Tom.
He starred in the 2014 BBC sitcom Siblings, before joining the cast of children’s cartoon Thomas & Friends that same year, voicing several characters. His other work includes appearing in Stath Lets Flats, Poor Things, Trickle, playing the Viking Lofty in Doctor Who episode ‘The Girl Who Died,’ as well as co-writing and starring in the 2021 feature film All My Friends Hate Me.
He’s dipped his toes into the world of Hollywood, too. In 2018, Tom appeared as Edward Snowden in the comedy film The Spy Who Dumped Me, starring alongside Mila Kunis and Justin Theroux. He also landed a role in the 2023 hit film Barbie, appearing as Earring Magic Ken.
However, many fans may well recognise most Tom from fronting up a certain popular CBBC show. In 2015, he became a regular in the sketch comedy Horrible Histories, notably appearing as King Henry VIII. In 2019, he played Percy in the comedy film Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans, which was based on the popular history programme.
©CBBC
When asked about what he enjoys most about Horrible Histories during a 2022 interview, Tom said, ‘It’s really nice when kids come up and say how much they enjoy it. The filming of it is very hectic, but it’s all also very silly so… Dream job.’
Who does Tom Stourton play in Industry?
Fans first met Tom in season three of HBO’s Industry, where he appeared as James Ashford, the ambitious CEO of Ashford Asset Management. A major investor in the fictional tech firm Lumi, and a key figure in the financial world alongside Harper and other Pierpoint figures, season four sees Tom reprise his character of James.
Does Tom Stourton have Instagram?
He does! You can follow him on Instagram @tomstourton to keep up to date on what he’s working on (and some little life updates too.)
Charlotte Roberts is a writer at Grazia UK, specialising in SEO. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment – from film review roundups to cast explainers.
