The Expanse · Character
James Holden
Also known as Jim Holden, Holden
- Major
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1
A compact Earther man with short hair that easily mats with grease and sweat during long shifts aboard his ship, often running a hand through it in frustration or thought. He possesses an open, expressive face that cannot conceal his feelings, marked by a prominent lump on his nose from a badly healed break that lends his features added character and substance. His build is unremarkable but resilient, and he stands smaller than a Belter would anticipate. He is typically dressed in a zipped flight suit over a T-shirt, with the posture of a seasoned naval officer even when showing fatigue from prolonged zero-g or high-thrust maneuvers.
- Gender
- male
- Age
- early 30s
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 1
- Books
- 1
Description
A human man with dark hair, often greasy and unkempt, sometimes sticking straight out in zero gravity. His face is open and expressive, described as charming and vaguely naive; he was considered unusually pretty before his nose was injured. He is smaller than Miller and was described as weighing about twenty kilos more than him, though Miller is a foot taller. After the injury, his nose is crooked and has a badly healed lump. Tall athletic Earther, broad shoulders, fair skin, short brown hair, blue eyes, clean-shaven with strong jawline.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
- AT
Ade Tukunbocasual lovers
Holden and Ade have a casual sexual relationship but she rejects his desire for more commitment.
Alex Kamalcaptain and pilot
Alex pilots the Knight shuttle and later the Rocinante for Holden.
Amos BurtonXO and assistant engineer
Amos works under Naomi but calls her 'Boss'. Holden interacts with him during ship operations.
Frederick Lucius JohnsonOPA leader and witness
Fred contacts Holden, offering alliance and protection in exchange for testimony against Mars.
Naomi NagataXO and Chief Engineer
Holden is the executive officer and Naomi the chief engineer on the Canterbury. They have a close working relationship with mutual respect.
- CM
Captain McDowellcaptain and XO
McDowell is captain of the Canterbury; Holden is his executive officer. They have a professional relationship with mutual respect.
- CT
Captain Theresa Yaocaptain and witness
Yao commands the Donnager. She interrogates Holden before the ship is destroyed.
- LG
Lieutenant Givensrescuer and rescued
Kelly leads marines to rescue Holden from the Donnager. He dies from injuries.
- SG
Shed Garveycaptain and medic
Shed is the medic on the Canterbury and Knight. He dies during the Donnager battle.
Story so far
BOOK 1Leviathan Wakes
Key events
- Book 1
Ch. 6Destruction of the CanterburyThe ice-hauling ship Canterbury is destroyed by nuclear torpedoes from a stealth ship while investigating the derelict Scopuli, killing fifty crew members and leaving only the Knight shuttle crew as survivors. - Book 1
Ch. 12Battle of the DonnagerThe Martian battleship Donnager is attacked and boarded by unknown forces while investigating the Canterbury incident. Holden's crew witnesses the destruction and escapes aboard the corvette Tachi. - Book 1
Ch. 25Discovery of Julie Mao's FateHolden and Miller discover Julie Mao's protomolecule-infected corpse on Eros, revealing the true nature of the bioweapon threat and connecting the Canterbury incident to Protogen's experiments. - Book 1
Ch. 28Eros Experiment RevelationHolden and Miller discover that Protogen has turned Eros Station into a massive petri dish, gassing thousands of people in radiation shelters to study the protomolecule's spread and effects. - Book 1
Ch. 42Assault on Thoth StationOPA forces led by Fred Johnson, with support from the Rocinante and Miller, assault Protogen's secret research station to capture evidence and personnel related to the protomolecule project. - Book 1
Ch. 44Miller Executes DresdenMiller coldly executes Protogen executive Antony Dresden after his capture, despite Holden's objections, fundamentally altering their relationship and forcing Miller's departure from the Rocinante crew. - Book 1
Ch. 45Holden-Naomi Romance BeginsAfter surviving multiple near-death experiences and the Thoth Station assault, Holden and Naomi finally begin their romantic relationship aboard Tycho Station. - Book 1
Ch. 57Eros Redirected to VenusThrough Miller's influence on Julie Mao's consciousness, Eros changes course from Earth to Venus, where it begins to fractalize and seed the planet's atmosphere with protomolecule structures.
Appearances
Meet James Holden in Bookworm
Meet James Holden in your EPUB — spoiler-safe to the book you're on.