James Sutherland was a minor supporting character on the FX Networks television show, Nip/Tuck. He was played by Georg Stanford Brown.
Character History
James Sutherland was the biological father of Christian and Gina's baby Wilbur. Wilbur was first thought to be the biological child of Christian. But once he was born, it was obvious he was not. Christian later tries to sue for full custody of Wilbur. At this point Gina tracks down James, to help her keep Wilbur. James, who lived out in Arizona, had to fly into Miami to help Gina. He claimed he could not explain to his wife that he had a one night stand with a woman whom he had gotten pregnant. At this point he discovered a diary of Gina's sexual past. He claimed that her diary had 292 partners in three years. He then decided to help Christian get full custody, rather than Gina. But while in Miami with Wilbur he begins a change of heart. At one point he decides that he wants custody of Wilbur, despite Christian and Gina's request. His wife later flies into Miami to help him sue for custody of the baby. In the end he receives not only full custody, but closed custody of Wilbur, allowing Gina nor Christian to see Wilbur until he is a legal adult. James then renames Wilbur to Gabriel. Many months later Gina discovers she is HIV positive. This allows Christian to contact James and Gabriel to tell them to both get tested. James flies back into Miami to have Christian test the both of them for the virus. After they are tested, both came out negative. James then returned to Arizona with Gabriel. In season 4 it is revealed that James Sutherland and his wife perish in a car accident on their way home from church. James's adult children do not want to raise Wilbur. James's son Wendell tells Christian that the name Gabriel never took. Christian is granted custody of Wilbur by way of Sutherland's will and he has asked (per his will) that Wilbur have as little contact with his birth mother. At first Christian is unsure but quickly changes his mind and willing lets Wilbur back into his new life with Michelle.
