William Jackson Harper as 'James Ross' 

William Jackson Harper (James Ross) currently stars as Chidi in NBC’s hit comedy series “The Good Place,” opposite Kristen Bell and Ted Danson. The critically acclaimed show received the AFI Award for TV Program of the Year in 2018, as well as Golden Globe and Critics Choice award nominations for Best Comedy Series. Harper recently received a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in the series, currently airing its fourth season. 

In film, Harper can be seen in the buddy comedy-turned-crime thriller Lost Holiday, which made its world premiere at Slamdance Film Festival. He also stars in A24’s horror film Midsommar, alongside Will Poulter and Florence Pugh. His additional feature film credits include Paterson, True Story, All Good Things and How to Tell You’re a Douchebag. 

On television, Harper appeared as the character Xander opposite John Krasinski in the second season of Amazon’s “Jack Ryan.” Additionally, Harper has made guest appearances on numerous acclaimed television series, including “30 Rock,” “The Blacklist,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” Hulu’s “Deadbeat,” “High Maintenance,” “Unforgettable” and the children’s series “The Electric Company.” His credits also include the telefilms “The Breaks” and “The Share.” 

Born in Dallas, Harper has an extensive background in theater, co-starring alongside Cristin Milioti in After the Blast at Lincoln Center, as well as on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning play All the Way, with Bryan Cranston. Most recently, Harper made his playwriting debut with the drama Travisville, which centers on a Texas church community untouched by the tumult of the civil rights movement. The play opened in October 2018 at New York’s Ensemble Studio Theatre to critical praise, with the New York Times noting Harper’s “serious writing chops.” 

His additional stage performances include A Family for All Occasions at the Labyrinth; Modern Terrorism at Second Stage; The Total Bent, Titus Andronicus and Measure for Measure at the Public; Placebo and A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick at Playwrights Horizons; and Queens Boulevard and Paradise Park at the Signature. Harper also has numerous regional theater credits, including Ruined, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet. 

Harper currently resides in Brooklyn with his dog Chico.