Age: 40
Height: 5’10″
Place of birth: Aldershot, Surrey
Hobbies: Golf, bridge, shooting, tennis, squash, garden design

» Hates mess and disorder. Particularly when caused by dinosaurs
» Believes government knows best and the public have no right to know anything
» Middle name is Peregrine. This is his most closely guarded secret
» Went to comprehensive and hates public school boys. Come to think of it, he hates pretty much everybody
» Married with three children. Never talks about his personal life and rarely admits he even has one
» Has no strong political allegiance but is very good at office politics
» Plays squash and tennis, very aggressively
» Owns over 50 suits, all made to measure, all dark colours. Wears colourful ties because someone once told him it was trendy

James Lester is a Home Office official, ultimately responsible for the team of scientists charged with investigating the appearance of time anomalies.

He’s been given the task of uncovering the secrets of the anomalies and preventing mass panic. He’s the ideal man for the job. As far as he’s concerned the government knows best and the public has no right to know anything.

He is arrogant, sarcastic and ruthless and makes no bones about his dislike of Cutter (or anyone for that matter). Despite being married with three children, he never discusses his family – in fact he rarely admits he even has one.

He may come across as dry, cynical and blunt but in series two Lester showed a different side to his character when he became trapped in the ARC with a Future Predator.

Wielding an AK47, Lester fought off the vicious beast and, with a little help from a Colombian Mammoth, defeated it. Lester showed us that beneath that unemotional, sarcastic and scathing exterior is a warrior who was willing to do anything to protect his team. But of course he would never admit this and would probably fire anyone who suggested it.

Lester was also caught off guard when his second in command, Oliver Leek, turned out to be a traitor and instigated a chain of events that culminated in Stephen’s death.

Well, you know, have her [the eyewitness] shot and dispose of her body discreetly. Just kidding.

S03E01