--- name: "Jane Horrocks" canonical: "https://film.one/person/jane-horrocks" fi1m_id: "jane-horrocks" imdb_id: "nm0001363" tmdb_id: 34902 wikidata_id: "Q237178" roles: ["Actor"] born: "18 January 1964" reviewed_on_fi1m: 12 average_fi1m_score: 76 average_as: "actor" average_over: 12 updated: "2026-10-07T15:32:09.071098+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Jane Horrocks ## Identity Jane Horrocks - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jane-horrocks - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** jane-horrocks - **IMDb ID:** nm0001363 - **TMDB ID:** 34902 - **Wikidata ID:** Q237178 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Horrocks, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237178, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001363/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34902 Actor. Born 18 January 1964 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 18 January 1964, Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England - **Active:** 1988–present - **Frequently works with:** [Imelda Staunton](https://film.one/person/imelda-staunton.md), [Karey Kirkpatrick](https://film.one/person/karey-kirkpatrick.md), [Lynn Ferguson](https://film.one/person/lynn-ferguson.md), [Mark Burton](https://film.one/person/mark-burton.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 12 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 85 (2), 1990s 82 (3), 2000s 68 (4), 2010s 83 (2), 2020s 64 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 71 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 8 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 8 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 8, Family 6, Drama 5, Animation 4, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 3, Adventure 2 - **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $653m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Horrocks, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237178, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001363/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34902 ## Streaming the US now - **Peacock:** [*The Witches*](https://film.one/film/the-witches.md) (82), [*The Storyteller*](https://film.one/tv/the-storyteller.md) (82) - **The Criterion Channel:** [*Life Is Sweet*](https://film.one/film/life-is-sweet.md) (84) - **BritBox:** [*Absolutely Fabulous*](https://film.one/tv/absolutely-fabulous.md) (81) - **Apple TV:** [*The Street*](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md) (74) - **Netflix:** [*Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget*](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) (64) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Jane Horrocks > Jane Horrocks gives daft characters a precise voice and dependable comic timing. We value that skill, but her naturalistic acting and vocal impressions make the familiar eccentric roles look like a rather narrow use of her. Babs knits while the others organise the break-in in *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023). Jane Horrocks voices her, and we laughed at the knitting set beside Mac’s engineering and Fowler’s lengthy briefing. It is a small joke, pitched at the right size for a busy ensemble. We rate Horrocks most for that comic precision: she can make a daft character funny without making the whole scene about her. The sequel is only intermittently sharp, but this is a good use of her. *Absolutely Fabulous* (1992) gives that eccentricity a more conspicuous place, with Horrocks as Bubble alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. Her comic timing belongs in our account of why the regular cast works so well, even if the central partnership does most of the heavy lifting. There is a danger in the daft supporting role: once the audience knows what to expect, eccentricity can become the entire joke. Horrocks’s vocal distinctiveness helps, but it should not become an excuse to ask nothing else of her. The programme is better served by its regulars than by the celebrity appearances that sometimes interrupt it. The earlier work makes that narrow expectation look particularly wasteful. In Mike Leigh’s *Life Is Sweet* (1990), as Nicola, she was already capable of sharply observed, naturalistic ensemble acting. Jim Cartwright wrote the stage role in *The Rise and Fall of Little Voice* (1992) for her vocal impressions, before she took LV into *Little Voice* (1998). Her imitations of Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey and Marilyn Monroe require close attention to the particular ways other people sound. Those parts make a better starting point for understanding her than the assumption that she is chiefly there to be peculiar. Voice work became a substantial part of the later career, including Babs in *Chicken Run* (2000) and its sequel. In the latter, editor Stephen Perkins keeps the caper moving between the teams inside and outside, while Harry Gregson-Williams supplies muted brass and a ticking rhythm. Her small contribution works within that brisk pace, although it leaves us wishing for a part that asks more of her. For the comedy, start with *Absolutely Fabulous*; then try *Little Voice* before deciding what sort of actor she is. ## Biography Jane Horrocks is a British actress. She was born on 18 January 1964 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, England. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company early in her career. Horrocks is known for her role as Bubble in the television series Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012) and its 2016 film. She originated the title role in the stage play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (1992) and reprised it in the 1998 film adaptation. Her voice work includes Babs in Chicken Run (2000) and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023), as well as roles in Corpse Bride (2005) and various Tinker Bell films. She received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for Little Voice. Other film credits include Life Is Sweet (1990) and The Witches (1990). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (12) - *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), Fi1m 64, as Babs (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) - *Inside No. 9* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Liz — [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md) - *Arthur Christmas* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Lead Elf (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md) - *Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties* (2006), Fi1m 40, as Meenie (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/garfield-a-tail-of-two-kitties.md) - *The Street* (2006), Fi1m 74, as Angela Quinn — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md) - *Corpse Bride* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Black Widow Spider / Mrs. Plum (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/corpse-bride.md) - *Chicken Run* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Babs (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run.md) - *Absolutely Fabulous* (1992), Fi1m 81, as Bubble / Katy Grin / Radio Presenter (voice), Bubble — [page](https://film.one/tv/absolutely-fabulous.md) - *Life Is Sweet* (1991), Fi1m 84, as Nicola — [page](https://film.one/film/life-is-sweet.md) - *The Witches* (1990), Fi1m 82, as Miss Irvine — [page](https://film.one/film/the-witches.md) - *Red Dwarf* (1988), Fi1m 88, as Commander Nirvanah Crane — [page](https://film.one/tv/red-dwarf.md) - *The Storyteller* (1988), Fi1m 82, as Anja — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-storyteller.md) ## Complete filmography (116) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Split Up* (2026), series, as Tash Edwards - *Grow* (2025), as Lady Veronica Smythe-Gherkin - *Death Valley* (2025), series, as Polly Trevor - *Time Travel Is Dangerous!* (2025), as The Aviator - *The Gentlemen* (2024), series, as The Bishop of Sussex - *Blood Actually: A Murder, They Hope Mystery* (2023), as Annette - *Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget* (2023), as Babs (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget.md) - *Dodger Special: Christmas* (2022), as Countess Cowper - *Here We Go* (2022), series, as Ethel - *Rumpelstilzchen* (2021), as Rumpelstilzchen - *Bloods* (2021), series, as Wendy - *Something Borrowed* (2020), as Violet - *The Singapore Grip* (2020), series, as Sylvia Blackett - *Endgame & Rough for Theatre II* (2020), as Nell - *COBRA* (2020), series, as Victoria Dalton - *The Rubbish World of Dave Spud* (2019), series, as Gran Spud - *Flack* (2019), series, as Tanya Bert - *Swimming with Men* (2018), as Heather Scott - *Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie* (2016), as Bubble / Shirley Bassey - *Britain as Seen on ITV* (2015), series, as Narrator - *Hot Tub Britain* (2014), as Narration - *Lily's Driftwood Bay* (2014), series, as Wee Rabbit (voice) - *Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy* (2014), as Fairy Mary (voice) - *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Liz — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md) - *Pixie Hollow Bake Off* (2013), as Fairy Mary (voice) - *Sunshine on Leith* (2013), as Jean Henshaw - *Secret of the Wings* (2012), as Fairy Mary (voice) - *True Love* (2012), series, as Sandra - *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Jacky - *Pixie Hollow Games* (2011), as Fairy Mary (voice) - *Arthur Christmas* (2011), as Lead Elf (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md) - *Trollied* (2011), series, as Julie - *Little Crackers* (2010), series, as Hairdresser - *The Road to Coronation Street* (2010), as Margaret Morris - *HiT Favorites: Colors Are Fun!* (2010), as Fifi Forget-Me-Not / Primrose (voice) - *The Adventures of Disney Fairies* (2010), series, as Fairy Mary (voice) - *Gracie!* (2009), as Gracie Fields - *Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need Medley* (2009), as Fifi Forget-Me-Not (voice) - *HiT Favorites: Frosty Friends* (2009), as Fifi Forget-Me-Not / Primrose (voice) - *Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure* (2009), as Fairy Mary (voice) - *Tinker Bell* (2008), as Fairy Mary (voice) - *Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind* (2007), as Donner (voice) - *Little Princess* (2007), series, as Little Princess (voice) - *Zoo Days* (2007), series, Actor - *Phineas and Ferb* (2007), series, as Eliza Fletcher (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/phineas-and-ferb.md) - *The Amazing Mrs Pritchard* (2006), series, as Ros Pritchard - *Brothers of the Head* (2006), as Roberta Howe (Romeo video) - *Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties* (2006), as Meenie (voice) — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/garfield-a-tail-of-two-kitties.md) - *Milkshake! Treats* (2006), as Fifi - *The Street* (2006), series, as Angela Quinn — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-street.md) - *Jericho* (2005), series, as Sadie Swettenham - *Fifi and the Flowertots Talent Show* (2005), as Primrose - *Corpse Bride* (2005), as Black Widow Spider / Mrs. Plum (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/corpse-bride.md) - *Fifi and the Flowertots* (2005), series, Actor - *Wide-Eye* (2003), series, as Flea (voice) - *Robbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost Tribe* (2002), as Donner (voice) - *Last Rumba in Rochdale* (2002), Actor - *Ivor the Invisible* (2001), as Mum (voice) - *Christmas Carol: The Movie* (2001), as Ghost of Christmas Past (voice) - *Mirrorball* (2000), as Yitta Hilberstam - *Spot's Musical Adventures* (2000), series, as Narrator - *Lion of Oz* (2000), as Wimsik (voice) - *Born Romantic* (2000), as Mo - *Chicken Run* (2000), as Babs (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/chicken-run.md) - *Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire* (1999), as Donner (voice) - *The Flint Street Nativity* (1999), as Shepherd 2/Zoe - *Watership Down* (1999), series, as Hannah (voice) - *The Foxbusters* (1999), series, as Jeffries (voice) - *Hunting Venus* (1999), as Cassandra - *Faeries* (1999), as Huccaby (voice), Huccaby - *Little Voice* (1998), as LV - *Absolutely Fabulous: A Life* (1998), as Bubble (archive footage) - *Wyrd Sisters* (1997), series, as Magrat (voice) - *Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis* (1997), as Marla Dorland / Mavis Davis - *Never Mind the Horrocks* (1996), Actor - *Nightlife* (1996), as Helen - *TFI Friday* (1996), series, Actor - *Crapston Villas* (1995), series, Actor - *Some Kind of Life* (1995), as Alison - *How to Be Absolutely Fabulous* (1995), as Bubble (archive footage) - *Self Catering* (1994), as Marilyn - *Second Best* (1994), as Debbie - *Suffer The Little Children* (1994), as Deborah Hayes - *Stages* (1994), series, as Deborah Hayes - *Deadly Advice* (1994), as Jodie Greenwood - *Butter* (1994), as Beggar - *Cabaret* (1993), as Sally Bowles - *Roots* (1992), as Beatie Bryant - *Absolutely Fabulous* (1992), series, as Bubble, Bubble / Katy Grin, Katy Grin, Bubble / Katy Grin / Radio Presenter (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/absolutely-fabulous.md) - *Bad Girl* (1992), as Maggie Hunt - *Nona* (1991), as Marta - *Alive and Kicking* (1991), as Gail - *Performance* (1991), series, as Beatie Bryant, Doll Tearsheet, Marta - *Came Out, It Rained, Went Back In Again* (1991), as Learner Lesbian - *Life Is Sweet* (1991), as Nicola — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/life-is-sweet.md) - *Memphis Belle* (1990), as Faith - *The Witches* (1990), as Miss Irvine — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-witches.md) - *The Wolves of Willoughby Chase* (1989), as Pattern - *Victoria Wood* (1989), series, as Cathy Warburton - *Screen One* (1989), series, as Gail - *The Fifteen Streets* (1989), as Christine Bracken - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Cammy - *Getting It Right* (1989), as Jenny - *The Jim Henson Hour* (1989), series, as Anja (archive footage) - *Heartland* (1989), as Pam - *The Dressmaker* (1988), as Rita - *The Storyteller: The True Bride* (1988), as Anja - *The Storyteller* (1988), series, as Anja — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-storyteller.md) - *Red Dwarf* (1988), series, as Commander Nirvanah Crane — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/red-dwarf.md) - *The Play on One* (1988), series, as Pam - *Road* (1987), as Louise - *First Sight* (1987), series, as Natalie - *On the Palm* (1987), as Punk Girl - *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Louise, Maggie Hunt - *Alive from Off Center* (1985), series, as Louise - *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Punk ## Gallery - ![Jane Horrocks](https://film.one/media/person/15047/gallery-6594ce6e1e4d.jpg) Jane Horrocks — richiiebam, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Jane_Horrocks_waxwork.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Jane Horrocks](https://film.one/media/person/15047/gallery-8572e6eaad16.jpg) Jane Horrocks — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Sitges Film Festival Best Actress award 1994: Sitges Film Festival Best Actress award (won), for *Deadly Advice* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jane-horrocks