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Last updated on the 5 May 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 29 September 1972, Boston, Lincolnshire, England.Â
Robert Webb grew up in Woodhall Spa. His early life was shaped by his parents’ divorce when he was five, after which his mother remarried. Webb developed an interest in comedy and drama during his school years, inspired by classic British sitcoms like “The Young Ones” and “Blackadder”. His passion for writing and performing emerged early, leading him to create parodies and sketches.
Robert Webb pursued his education at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Horncastle before attending Robinson College, Cambridge, where he studied English. At Cambridge, he became vice-president of the prestigious Footlights, a renowned theatrical club that has produced many successful comedians. It was here that he met David Mitchell, forming a partnership that would define much of his career.
Robert Webb gained widespread recognition through his collaboration with Mitchell, particularly in the Channel 4 sitcom “Peep Show” (2003–2015), where he played Jeremy “Jez” Usbourne. The duo also starred in the sketch show “That Mitchell and Webb Look” (2006–2010) and the comedy-drama “Back” (2017–2021). Webb has appeared in various other television projects, including “The Smoking Room”, “Blessed”, and “Fresh Meat”. His film credits include “Magicians” (2007), where he starred alongside Mitchell.
Outside of his professional achievements, Webb has candidly shared insights into his personal life, particularly his challenges with masculinity and identity, which he examined in his memoir “How Not to Be a Boy” (2017). He has been married to comedian and writer Abigail Burdess since 2006, with whom he shares two children. His contributions have cemented his status as a highly regarded figure in British comedy and entertainment.
Suggested viewing
Back (2017)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.3
After his father’s passing, Stephen returns home, prepared to take charge of the family business. However, his plans quickly spiral when a long-absent acquaintance re-emerges, effortlessly winning over those around him. As buried secrets surface, Stephen finds himself questioning his own history, igniting a darkly comedic struggle for identity and inheritance.
Top cast: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Louise Brealey, Penny Downie, Jessica Gunning, Oliver Maltman, Geoffrey McGivern, Olivia Poulet.
Peep Show (2003)
Bftv 9.5 / IMDb 8.7
“Peep Show” is a sitcom that follows the lives of two dysfunctional flatmates, Mark and Jeremy. Through a unique first-person perspective, the show delves into their hilarious and cringe-worthy misadventures, exploring themes of friendship, love and personal struggles, all with a healthy dose of dark humour.
Top cast: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, Matt King, Jim Howick, Paterson Joseph, Sophie Winkleman, Neil Fitzmaurice, Isy Suttie.
The Smoking Room (2004)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.9
“The Smoking Room” is a sitcom set entirely in the smoking room of a workplace. The show explores the interactions and conversations of a diverse group of employees who gather in the room for their smoke breaks. It digs into their personal and professional lives, offering a humorous and relatable take on office dynamics.
Top cast: Robert Webb, Debbie Chazen, Jeremy Swift, Paula Wilcox, Nadine Marshall, Siobhan Redmond, Leslie Schofield, Emma Kennedy.
The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff (2011)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7
“The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff” is a comedy series set in Victorian England, parodying the works of Charles Dickens. The show follows Jedrington Secret-Past, an honest shopkeeper whose life takes a comedic turn when he becomes embroiled in a series of absurd and humorous adventures involving eccentric characters, mysteries and a quest for justice.
Top cast: Robert Webb, Katherine Parkinson, David Mitchell, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Celia Imrie, Pauline McLynn, Johnny Vegas.
That Mitchell and Webb Look (2006)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.0
“That Mitchell and Webb Look” is a sketch comedy series. With a mix of witty writing and absurd humour, the show presents a wide range of hilarious sketches, satirising various aspects of modern life, including pop culture, politics and everyday situations, with the duo’s distinctive comedic style.
Top cast: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Olivia Colman, James Bachman, Abigail Burdess, Sarah Hadland, Mark Evans, and Gus Brown.
Ambassadors (2013)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4
Two diplomats navigate the challenges of representing their country in a fictional Central Asian nation. Balancing political intrigue, cultural misunderstandings and their own personal dilemmas, they struggle to maintain diplomacy while managing unexpected crises. With satire and humour, the series explores the complexities of international relations and the often absurd realities of embassy life.
Top cast: David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Susan Lynch, Amara Karan, Oliver Dimsdale, Shivani Ghai, Keeley Hawes, Natalia Tena, Matthew Macfadyen.
