CBBCs Raven gameshow host James Mackenzie now – from family life to convict role
Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the beloved
show Raven, and for many of us, that realisation brought a sense of nostalgia and the undeniable feeling of getting older.
The children's adventure series, led by presenter James Mackenzie, took viewers on thrilling journeys as a team of daring warriors tackled a variety of challenges.
The show made its debut in December 2002 and spanned 10 seasons with James Mackenzie as the host.
Aisha Toussaint took over for the second iteration of the show from 2017 to 2018.
Each series of Raven featured three groups of six warriors, who faced a series of challenging trials.
After two days, the warrior with the fewest rings would confront the fearsome "Way of the Warrior," which determined their fate in the competition.
Ultimately, only two contestants would advance to the final quest, where one would emerge as the ultimate warrior.
James revealed toThe Scottish Sun: “I graduated from drama school on the Saturday and started filming Raven on the Monday. But we never dreamed that we’d film 13 series and win two BAFTA Children’s Awards.”
Thanks to the loyalty of his fans James is now a regular on the comic convention circuit, where fans dress up as his Scottish warlord character.
He added: “The first time a fan appeared as Raven it was quite startling, but it’s also really touching as it’s a testament to the show and its fanbase.”
These days, James Mackenzie is a married man with a son.
He has continued his career in the entertainment industry, working as an actor and voiceover artist, particularly in the realm of children's television.
At 43 years old, he resides in Biggar, Lanarkshire, with his wife, actress Helen McAlpine, and their young son, Magnus.
Between 2015 and 2017, James enjoyed a role in the Scottish soap opera River City.
He currently stars in another children's TV favourite, Molly And Mack, where he portrays the father of the main characters, an eight-year-old girl named Molly and her older brother Mack.
In 2018 and 2019, he made appearances in the TV series Outlander, playing the character Caleb, a convict.
The transition from CBeebies' content to the darker tones of Outlander was certainly a shift, but it showcased James' versatility as an actor.
Despite his diverse roles, one thing remains certain: James Mackenzie's heart is firmly attached to Raven. He often takes to Twitter to discuss the show, sharing throwbacks and reminiscing about its enduring appeal.
Last year for the show’s milestone anniversary, the former host shared: “Later this year it’ll be 20yrs since this bird took his first flight on @cbbc,’ he penned. ‘Maybe they should stick all 13 series up on the @BBCiPlayer just suggesting for a friend (disclaimer; pic not from 20yrs ago).”
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