Building on his success with fact-based drama, Hawes embarked on the ambitious project to bring The Suspicions of Mr Whicher to the screen. Adapted by Neil Mackay, the original book, telling the story of a horrific child murder in 1860s England, had been a break-out best-seller. Paddy Considine took the title role and the film scored big audiences and critical acclaim.

Hawes began his television work in factual programming, working in the BBC's documentary and current affairs departments. In parallel, he launched The Young Shakespeare Company, a professional touring theatre company, which he ran as artistic Director and which performed in the UK and US. In 1990, he directed HRH Prince Charles in The Earth In Balance, the prince's documentary about the challenges facing the global environment, which filmed across the world, including locations such as Hong Kong harbour, to Kennedy Space Center and the Sumatran jungles. The film was to set Hawes on a Future that often found him shooting in challenging locations. Other documentary work includes the investigative strand, Inside Story for the BBC, the Emmy Award-nominated Egypt's Golden Empire and the 2003 drama-documentary, Lawrence of Arabia: The Battle for the Arab World, which he both wrote and directed. It used the story of Lawrence's life as a prism through which to study the shaping of the Middle East in a post-9/11 world.

Hawes was also announced in late 2005 as the Producer and lead Director of the forthcoming Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood — however, in early 2006 it was confirmed that he would not in fact be producing the series. According to Doctor Who and Torchwood executive Producer Russell T Davies in Doctor Who Magazine issue 366 (dated 1 March 2006), Hawes' direction of the Chatterley piece and his decision to back down from producing Torchwood were related. "James Hawes has been having such a good time... that he's decided directing is his greatest passion, and as a result, he's stepped down."

In 2007, he linked up again with Andrew Davies to direct an adaptation of the 18th-century novel Fanny Hill, for Sally Head Productions and BBC Four.

Later in 2008 he also directed a new version of The 39 Steps, again for BBC One. Hawes picked up a Best Director trophy for this at the 2009 Shanghai TV Festival.

Hawes began 2009 directing a BBC TV film, Enid, with Helena Bonham Carter starring as author Enid Blyton. Scripted by Lyndsay Shapero, the film co-stars Matthew Macfadyen and Denis Lawson. The films' success on the digital networks earned it a transfer to BBC1 and several major award nominations, including Best Director for Hawes, and Best Actress nods for Bonham Carter at both the BAFTAs and the International Emmys. The film has earned Hawes high praise for the performances and the stylishness of a big screen production on a small screen budget.

In May 2012, Hawes signed a slate deal with BBC Worldwide for all his TV development.

Hawes directed The Mill, a mini series for Channel Four TV about the people and politics of Quarry Bank Mill, a 19th-century cotton mill.