Johnny Harris — A Portrait in London

Rory Lewis Captures the BAFTA-Nominated Actor in an Intimate Sitting

Last week in London, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the remarkable actor Johnny Harris for an intimate portrait session.

A multiple BAFTA-nominated performer, Johnny has shaped some of the most iconic British television and film of the past two decades. He is perhaps best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Mick in Shane Meadows’ BAFTA-winning cult series This Is England ‘86, a performance that earned him both BAFTA and Royal Television Society Award nominations. The final episode of the series was recently named “The Greatest TV Episode of All Time” by The Independent — a testament not only to the writing and direction, but to Johnny’s raw, magnetic presence on screen.

Johnny Harris — A Portrait in London (Rory Lewis Photographer 2026)

He reprised the role in This Is England ‘88 and This Is England ‘90, deepening a character that has become embedded in British television history.

Our London session was stripped back and intentional — a study in character rather than spectacle. Working with a restrained palette and directional light inspired by Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro, the aim was to create something honest, sculptural, and psychologically direct.

Johnny brings a rare stillness to the frame. There is weight in his gaze — a lived-in intensity that does not need embellishment. The portrait became less about performance and more about presence.

Johnny Harris — A Portrait in London (Rory Lewis Photographer 2026)

In one frame, he meets the viewer directly — unguarded, unwavering.
In another, the slight turn of the head introduces introspection, a cinematic quiet.

This is what I seek in every sitting: the moment between expressions, when the constructed façade falls away.

As a British portrait photographer, my approach has always been rooted in classical composition and narrative depth. Influenced by the Old Masters — particularly Caravaggio and Ribera — I use light not merely to illuminate, but to shape form and emotion.

Based in Los Angeles and working regularly in New York and London, I have photographed Hollywood actors, world leaders, and distinguished military figures. My work forms part of the National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection and continues to explore portraiture as both documentation and storytelling.

Collaborating with Johnny Harris in London felt like a natural alignment — a meeting of craft, discipline, and respect for the power of character.

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