Franklin Dean
In the eighth season of Will & Grace, Taye Diggs guest-starred as James Hanson, a Canadian photographer and Will's love interest. Grace agrees to marry James to prevent him from getting deported, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Will. The wedding episode, titled The Definition of Marriage, features an overly lavish spectacle, including a performance by Hall & Oates. During the ceremony, James serenades Will with the Stevie Wonder song As, though he later admits to being high on Karen's drugs and not recalling the event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the episode | The Definition of Marriage |
| Airing date | 2006 |
| Character played by Taye Diggs | James Hanson, a Canadian photographer |
| Reason for Grace's marriage to James | To prevent him from getting deported |
| Performance during the wedding | By Hall & Oates |
| Duration of the shoot | 5 hours |
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What You'll Learn
James Hanson, Will's love interest
James Hanson, portrayed by Taye Diggs, is a Canadian photographer who becomes Will Truman's love interest in season 8 of Will & Grace. James meets Will in the episode "Von Trapped", where they both attend a screening for Memoirs of a Geisha (which Will mistook for a Sound of Music sing-along). Although they hit it off, they don't see each other again until a chance encounter in Los Angeles.
James has a witty, dry sense of humour and a warm personality. However, it is later revealed that he has a cruel and manipulative side. Despite this, Will and James fall for each other, and Grace, Will's best friend, agrees to marry James to prevent his deportation, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Will.
In the episode "The Definition of Marriage", Grace and James successfully marry, with James serenading Will during the wedding ceremony. However, James later admits that he was high on one of Karen's drugs and does not recall the event.
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Grace's second husband
In the TV series Will & Grace, Grace's second husband is James Hanson, played by Taye Diggs. James is a Canadian photographer with a witty, dry sense of humour. He has a warm personality but is later revealed to be cruel and manipulative.
James first meets Will in the episode "Von Trapped", at a screening for Memoirs of a Geisha (which Will mistook for a Sound of Music sing-along). The two hit it off but don't see each other again until they reconnect in Los Angeles. They fall for each other, so Grace agrees to marry James to prevent him from getting deported, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Will.
Grace and James successfully marry in "The Definition of Marriage" episode, which aired in 2006. During the ceremony, James serenades Will with the Stevie Wonder song "As". However, James later admits that he was high on one of Karen's drugs and does not recall the event.
In the episode, Grace prepares for her green-card marriage to James, but she is concerned that Karen is making the wedding too lavish, including a performance by Hall & Oates. Despite this, the wedding proceeds, and James becomes Grace's second husband.
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Green card marriage
In the TV show Will and Grace, Grace agrees to marry James Hanson, Will's Canadian boyfriend, so that he can stay in the US.
In the United States, marriage to a US citizen does not automatically result in the receipt of a Green Card. The marriage must be bona fide, and the non-US citizen must meet certain eligibility criteria.
To qualify for a Green Card, you must be admissible to the United States. The INA 212(a) outlines reasons for inadmissibility, and if any of these apply to you, your application will generally be denied. However, you may be able to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility or another form of relief, and if this is granted, your application may be approved.
If you are in the US, you may file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. This is known as "adjustment of status". You must be present in the US after being "inspected and admitted" or "inspected and paroled" by an immigration officer, with some limited exceptions. An immigrant visa must be available to you at the time of filing Form I-485 and when USCIS makes a final decision on your application.
If you are the spouse of a US citizen, you must independently qualify for a Green Card and file your own application. You cannot qualify as a derivative beneficiary based on your spouse's application.
In 2025, the USCIS updated key marriage green card forms, tightening procedures and sharpening the focus on fraud detection. Changes include stricter scrutiny of form completeness, consistency, and evidence of relationship, as well as stricter rules around medical form submission.
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Wedding episode twist
In the "Will & Grace" episode "The Definition of Marriage", Grace prepares for her green-card marriage to James Hanson, played by Taye Diggs. James is a Canadian photographer who Will meets and falls for. Grace agrees to marry James to prevent him from being deported, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Will.
During the wedding ceremony, James serenades Will with the Stevie Wonder song "As". However, he later admits that he was high on one of Karen's drugs and does not recall the event or even know the lyrics to the song. Despite the lavish spectacle, including a performance by Hall & Oates, the wedding ends with a twist.
Although the specific details of the twist are not revealed, it is known that the episode took around five hours to shoot. The producers, directors, and writers often gathered after a scene to determine if any changes were needed, and they would usually change a few lines and reshoot the entire scene.
The wedding episode of "Will & Grace", featuring the talented Taye Diggs, offered a compelling narrative twist that kept viewers guessing and engaged. With its mix of humour, romance, and unexpected turns, the episode showcased the dynamic nature of the show.
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James serenades Will
The wedding episode sees Grace preparing for her green-card marriage to James, played by Taye Diggs. Despite Grace's worries about the lavishness of the wedding, the ceremony includes a performance by James, who serenades Will. This romantic gesture is a highlight of the episode, with James declaring his love for Will through song.
The song choice, "As" by Stevie Wonder, is a beautiful and poignant expression of love. The lyrics speak of a deep and enduring love that can weather any storm, with the singer promising to always be there for their beloved. The song's sentiment mirrors the depth of feeling between James and Will, making it a perfect choice for James' serenade.
The serenade is made even more memorable by the reveal that James was under the influence of one of Karen's drugs during the performance and does not recall the event. This adds a layer of humour and lightheartedness to the scene, showcasing the show's ability to blend romance and comedy effectively.
The episode "The Definition of Marriage" is a significant moment in the relationship between James and Will, with James' serenade of Will being a standout moment that showcases the characters' love and commitment to each other.
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Frequently asked questions
Grace marries James Hanson, a Canadian photographer and Will's love interest.
Grace marries James to prevent him from getting deported, allowing him to pursue a relationship with Will.
James is played by Taye Diggs.
Karen organises an overly lavish wedding spectacle that includes a performance by Hall & Oates.
