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Last updated on the 23 May 2025 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: August 25, 1966, Bath, Somerset, England.
Julia Davis is an English writer, comedian, actress and director known for her dark and distinctive comedic style. She grew up in Guildford, Surrey, before moving to Bath, Somerset, at the age of 14. Her mother worked as a secretary, while her father was a civil servant. Raised in the Church of England, Davis pursued higher education at the College of Ripon and York St John, where she studied English and drama. After graduating, she returned to Bath and worked various jobs before venturing into comedy.
Julia Davis began her career in the late 1990s, initially performing in an improv troupe alongside Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones. Her breakthrough came with the BBC Radio 4 sketch show “Five Squeezy Pieces” in 1998, followed by appearances in television comedies such as “Big Train” and “Brass Eye”. Her work on “Human Remains” (2000), a dark comedy series she co-wrote with Rob Brydon, significantly boosted her profile, earning her wider recognition for her unique storytelling and sharp comedic style. However, her most notable work came with “Nighty Night” (2004–2005), a critically acclaimed black comedy that she wrote and starred in. She continued her success with “Hunderby” (2012–2015), “Camping” (2016), and “Sally4Ever” (2018), earning two BAFTA awards for her writing.
Beyond her own creations, Julia Davis has appeared in popular British television shows such as “Gavin & Stacey” and films including “Love Actually” (2003), “Four Lions” (2010), and “Phantom Thread” (2017). Her ability to craft unsettling yet hilarious characters has cemented her reputation as one of Britain’s most unique comedic voices.
In her personal life, Julia Davis has been in a long-term relationship with comedian Julian Barratt since 2000 and they have two children together. She maintains a relatively private life, focusing on her creative endeavours while continuing to shape British comedy with her distinctive style.
WINNER | Television: Desmond Davis Award (1988) | TV Craft, Writer: Comedy for Hunderby (2013)
Suggested viewing
Nighty Night (2004)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1
A ruthless and self-absorbed woman manipulates those around her under the guise of friendliness, wreaking havoc in a quiet suburban community. Her obsession with a married man drives her to deceit, cruelty and shocking schemes, all masked by a superficial charm, leading to a darkly comedic and unsettling series of events.
Top cast: Julia Davis, Angus Deayton, Rebecca Front, Ruth Jones, Mark Gatiss, Felicity Montagu, Michael Fenton Stevens, Kevin Eldon.
Hunderby (2012)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.3
In a secluded 19th-century coastal village, a young woman with a mysterious past marries a devout widower, seeking safety and redemption. However, she soon finds herself entangled in the dark secrets and cruel ambitions of those around her, as manipulations, deceit and hidden desires threaten to unravel her new life.
Top cast: Julia Davis, Alexandra Roach, Alex Macqueen, Rufus Jones, Rosie Cavaliero, Julian Barratt, Rebekah Staton, Daniel Lawrence Taylor.
Camping (2016)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.7
A group of friends embarks on a countryside camping trip meant to celebrate a milestone birthday, but tensions quickly escalate as clashing personalities, hidden resentments and unexpected events unravel their carefully planned getaway. What was meant to be a peaceful retreat turns into a chaotic, darkly comic exploration of relationships and control.
Top cast: Julia Davis, Vicki Pepperdine, Steve Pemberton, Rufus Jones, Oaklee Pendergast, Jonathan Cake, Shaun Aylward, Elizabeth Berrington.
Sally4Ever (2018)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.6
A quiet woman stuck in a mundane life takes a leap into a passionate new relationship, hoping for excitement and transformation. However, her journey quickly spirals into chaos as manipulation, obsession and emotional upheaval consume her world. What begins as romance soon unravels into a darkly comedic exploration of control and identity.
Top cast: Julia Davis, Catherine Shepherd, Alex Macqueen, Julian Barratt, Felicity Montagu, Steve Oram, Jane Stanness, Georgie Glen.
NIGHTY NIGHT TRAILER @ MUBI