Last updated on the 20 March 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: 6 March 1966, Loughton, Essex, England. 

Best known for his role as Jonathan Creek, Alan Davies had a challenging early life. His mother passed away from leukaemia when he was six years old, leaving him and his siblings under the care of their father, an accountant. This loss deeply affected Davies, shaping his childhood and leading to behavioural struggles. Despite these challenges, he found solace in humour and creativity, which later became the foundation of his career.

Davies pursued his education with determination. He attended Bancroft’s School in Essex, where he achieved eight O-Levels. He later studied Theatre and Media Studies at Loughton College of Further Education, earning additional qualifications. His passion for drama led him to the University of Kent, where he graduated with a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies in 1988. In 2016, he furthered his education by enrolling in a Master of Arts program in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths, University of London, completing it in 2018.

Alan Davies is best known for his role as Jonathan Creek in the BBC mystery drama series “Jonathan Creek,” which aired from 1997 to 2016. His portrayal of the quirky, crime-solving magician’s assistant earned him widespread acclaim. He is also a permanent panelist on the BBC comedy quiz show “QI,” showcasing his wit and humour since its inception in 2003. Other notable works include “Bob and Rose,” “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging,” and his stand-up comedy specials like “Urban Trauma” and “Life is Pain”.

In his personal life, Davies is married to children’s author Katie Maskell, whom he met backstage at “QI.” The couple have three children and resides in North London. Parenthood has profoundly influenced Davies, shifting his priorities and bringing joy to his life.

Suggested viewing

Jonathan Creek (1997)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1

Jonathan Creek revolves around an eccentric and ingenious magician’s assistant whose skills in illusion and logic make him an exceptional amateur detective. Each episode features baffling, seemingly supernatural cases, where the protagonist uses wit, observational skills and unconventional thinking to unravel mysteries, often exposing human motives behind elaborate deceptions.

Top cast: Alan Davies, Caroline Quentin, Julia Sawalha, Sheridan Smith, Adrian Edmondson, Stuart Milligan, Rik Mayall, Anthony Head.

QI (2010)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.6

QI (Quite Interesting) blends humour and intellect, inviting participants to tackle unconventional and quirky questions that celebrate curiosity over correctness. Points are awarded for interesting or creative answers, while penalties apply for predictable or clichéd ones. With a lively atmosphere, it encourages exploration of obscure facts and fosters entertaining discussions on a wide range of topics.

Top cast: Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Alan Davies, Jo Brand, David Mitchell, Phill Jupitus, Bill Bailey, Rob Brydon and many more.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)