Biography
James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. May is best known as co-presenter of the motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. May has presented a variety of other programmes on themes including science and technology, childhood toys, cars, food and drink, and the plight of manliness in modern times. In addition he has released a variety of DVDs and books with similar themes, and writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section. On Top Gear, May has the nickname "Captain Slow", for his careful driving style, a love of small, underpowered cars and habit of getting lost and distracted whilst driving. In a February 2007 episode of Top Gear he carried out a successful top speed test drive of a Bugatti Veyron at the Ehra-Lessien Volkswagen test track, reaching 407 kilometres per hour (253 mph). In July 2010 he repeated the attempt in the updated Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, reaching the vehicle's top speed of 417.6 kilometres per hour (259.5 mph), confirming that it had retaken the title as the fastest road car in production.
Acted in 28
2020s
- 2025
James May's Shed Load of Ideas
TV
James May's Great Explorers
James May · 3 episodes
2010s
- 2019
Top Gear - Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Movie
Al Murray's Great British Pub Quiz
Team Captain · 2 episodes
- 2018
Top Gear: Winter Blunderland
Movie
- 2017
Top Gear: The Best of the Specials
James May
- 2016
James May: The Reassembler
Presenter · 7 episodes
- 2015
Top Gear: Ambitious But Rubbish
TV
Top Gear: The Big Send Off Special
Movie
- 2014
Top Gear: Patagonia Special
Movie
- 2012
Top Gear: The Challenges 6
Movie
- 2011
A Night with the Stars
Participant · 1 episode
Top Gear's Top 40
James May · 8 episodes
The Interceptors
James Steed
- 2010
James May's Man Lab
TV
Top Gear: The Challenges 4
Movie
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 3
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Top Gear: The Challenges 3
Movie
Oz and James Drink to Britain
TV
- 2008
Top Ground Gear Force
Movie
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 1
Movie
Top Gear - Planes, Rockets & Automobiles
Presenter
- 2007
Top Gear - Best of the Challenges
Movie
- 2006
Top Gear: Supercars
Presenter
Petrolheads
TV
- 2005
- 2004
Top Gear's Stars in Fast Cars
Movie
No release date
An Evening With Top Gear
Movie
Wrote 4
2010s
- 2019
James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain
Writer
- 2015
Top Gear: Australian Road Trip
Writer
- 2010
James May's Man Lab
Writer
2000s
- 2005
James May's Top Toys
Writer
Created 4
2020s
- 2020
James May: Our Man in…
Creator
2010s
- 2016
- 2015
James May: Building Cars Live
Creator
- 2011
Top Gear's Top 40
Creator
Other crew 2
2010s
- 2019
James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain
Presenter
- 2010
James May's Man Lab
Presenter
Directed 1
2000s
- 2007
Top Gear of the Pops
Director
Appearances64
2020s
- 2026
The Grand-ish Tour
Self · 3 episodes
- 2025
The Not Very Grand Tour
Self · 1 episode
- 2024
James May and the Dull Men
Self - Host · 8 episodes
Joan Rivers at the BBC
Self (archive footage)
Perfect Pub Walks
Self · 1 episode
- 2021
Top Gear: A Tribute to Sabine Schmitz
Self
- 2020
James May: Oh Cook!
Self · 14 episodes
James May: Our Man in…
Self · 15 episodes
2010s
- 2019
James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain
Self - Presenter · 2 episodes
- 2016
James May's Build a Car in 24 Hours
Host · 3 episodes
Top Gear: The Races
Self · 7 episodes
- 2015
Top Gear: From A-Z
Self (archive footage)
Top Gear From A-Z
Self · 2 episodes
Top Gear: Greatest Hits
Himself
Top Gear: Australian Road Trip
Himself
- 2014
Top Gear: The Burma Special
Himself
- 2013
To Space & Back
Narrator
Top Gear Festival: Sydney
Self - Presenter
Top Gear: The Great African Adventure
Himself
- 2012
Top Gear: The Worst Car In the History of the World
Self
Top Gear: Supercars Across Italy
Himself
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 5
Himself
- 2011
A Night with the Stars
Self
Top Gear: At the Movies
Himself
James May's Things You Need To Know
Himself - Presenter · 9 episodes
Top Gear: The Challenges 5
Himself
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 4
Himself
Top Gear: Cars with Soul
Himself
Top Gear: The U.S. and Albania Road Trip
Himself
- 2010
Top Gear: Apocalypse
Self
Top Gear: Romania Special
Himself
2000s
- 2009
James May's Toy Stories
Himself - Host · 6 episodes
James May on the Moon
Himself - Presenter
James May at the Edge of Space
Himself
Oz and James Drink to Britain
Self - Presenter · 8 episodes
- 2008
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 2
Self
James May's Big Ideas
Self - Presenter · 3 episodes
Top Gear: The Challenges 2
Himself
- 2007
James May: My Sisters' Top Toys
Himself - Presenter
Top Gear: Botswana Special
Himself
Top Gear: Polar Special
himself
James May's 20th Century
Himself - Presenter · 6 episodes
Top Gear of the Pops
Self
Top Gear: The Challenges
Himself
Top Gear: US Special
Self
- 2006
Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure
Self · 13 episodes
Top Gear: The Races
Himself
Top Gear: Winter Olympics Special
Himself
- 2005
James May's Top Toys
Himself - Presenter
Top Gear: Revved Up
Himself
- 2002
1990s
- 1998
- 1993
- 1990
1980s
- 1988
This Morning
Self · 1 episode
1960s
- 1964
