---
name: "Jessica Hynes"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jessica-hynes"
fi1m_id: "jessica-hynes"
imdb_id: "nm0828961"
tmdb_id: 47730
wikidata_id: "Q259679"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "30 October 1972"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-07T19:44:20.308759+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."
---

# Jessica Hynes

## Identity

Jessica Hynes

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jessica-hynes
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jessica-hynes
- **IMDb ID:** nm0828961
- **TMDB ID:** 47730
- **Wikidata ID:** Q259679
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Hynes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q259679, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0828961/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/47730

Actor. Born 30 October 1972 in Lewisham, London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 30 October 1972, Lewisham, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1998–present
- **Also known as:** Jessica Stevenson, Jazzy Jess, جسیکا هاینس
- **Frequently works with:** [Edgar Wright](https://film.one/person/edgar-wright.md), [Nick Frost](https://film.one/person/nick-frost.md), [Nira Park](https://film.one/person/nira-park.md), [Russell T Davies](https://film.one/person/russell-t-davies.md), [Simon Pegg](https://film.one/person/simon-pegg.md)
- **BAFTA Television Awards:** 2 BAFTAs (2 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (2), 2000s 68 (6), 2010s 80 (4), 2020s 74 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 71 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 11, Drama 5, Adventure 3, Family 2, Romance 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,967m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Hynes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q259679, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0828961/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/47730

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*The Royle Family*](https://film.one/tv/the-royle-family.md) (85), [*Twenty Twelve*](https://film.one/tv/twenty-twelve.md) (77)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Spaced*](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md) (86)
- **Peacock:** [*Shaun of the Dead*](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md) (85)
- **HBO Max:** [*Years and Years*](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md) (79)
- **Hulu:** [*Son of Rambow*](https://film.one/film/son-of-rambow.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Jessica Hynes

> Jessica Hynes can make a character funny without making their embarrassment seem trivial. We value the untidy timing and the sympathy beneath it, most clearly in *Spaced*, where she helps write the people she makes worth following.

As Daisy Steiner in *Spaced* (1999), Jessica Hynes makes having little money seem both funny and uncomfortable. Her untidy comic manner leaves room for embarrassment that a brisker performance might have brushed aside. Beside Simon Pegg’s more precise Tim Bisley, she gives the exchanges a useful unevenness. The comedy does not require either character to be particularly good at managing life. We felt protective of the pair because the embarrassment of being broke was still recognisable beneath the extravagant film references.

Hynes’s part in writing *Spaced* matters here. *The Royle Family* (1998), in which she played the recurring part of Cheryl Carroll, belongs to the same breakthrough period. Daisy also gave her a say in what the comedy noticed: she co-created the programme as well as co-writing it. With Pegg, she made young, skint Londoners worth spending time with, without pretending they were coping well. *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), in which she played Yvonne, continued her work with the *Spaced* collaborators.

There is a limit to how much help these performances need. Edgar Wright’s direction of *Spaced* sometimes insists on spelling out a cinematic connection after Hynes and Pegg have already made the situation funny. We find ourselves watching the reference being set up rather than the people caught in it. This is an irritation in a programme we otherwise warmly recommend, and it makes Hynes’s contribution easier to see. Her performance gives us enough to enjoy in Daisy’s ordinary difficulties before the direction adds anything else.

Later parts include Siobhan Sharpe, the PR executive in *W1A* (2014), and Emily Yates, a mother in the drama *There She Goes* (2018). The latter gave her a dramatic lead after supporting film roles and television comedies. That move is worth noting without treating comedy as something an actor ought to outgrow. Our clearest recommendation remains the programme in which her writing and acting work together to make small problems matter. For a first encounter, choose *Spaced* and allow for a director who occasionally explains a joke the actors have already landed.

## Biography

Jessica Hynes (née Stevenson) is an English actress, director and writer. She is known for co-creating, co-writing and starring as Daisy Steiner in the Channel 4 series *Spaced* (1999–2001) and for playing Cheryl Carroll in the BBC sitcom *The Royle Family* (1998–2010).

Hynes was born in Lewisham, London, on 30 October 1972 and grew up in Brighton. She joined the National Youth Theatre at 15 and later appeared in sketch shows before working with Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright. Her other notable television roles include Siobhan Sharpe in *Twenty Twelve* (2011–2012) and *W1A* (2014–2017), and Emily Yates in *There She Goes* (2018–2023). In film she has appeared in *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), the Bridget Jones series and the Paddington films. She has won two BAFTA awards and two British Comedy Awards.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (15)

- *Paddington in Peru* (2024), Fi1m 64, as Miss Kitts — [page](https://film.one/film/paddington-in-peru.md)
- *Mood* (2022), Fi1m 76, as Laura — [page](https://film.one/tv/mood.md)
- *Dreaming Whilst Black* (2021), Fi1m 81, as Drew — [page](https://film.one/tv/dreaming-whilst-black.md)
- *Years and Years* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Edith Lyons — [page](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md)
- *Paddington 2* (2017), Fi1m 91, as Miss Kitts — [page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md)
- *Bridget Jones's Baby* (2016), Fi1m 71, as Magda — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-baby.md)
- *Twenty Twelve* (2011), Fi1m 77, as Siobhan Sharpe — [page](https://film.one/tv/twenty-twelve.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007), Fi1m 68, as Mafalda Hopkirk (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md)
- *Son of Rambow* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Mary Proudfoot — [page](https://film.one/film/son-of-rambow.md)
- *Doctor Who* (2005), Fi1m 78, as Joan Redfern — [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason* (2004), Fi1m 48, as Magda — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-the-edge-of-reason.md)
- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), Fi1m 85, as Yvonne — [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)
- *Tomorrow La Scala!* (2002), Fi1m 59, as Victoria (as Jessica Stevenson) — [page](https://film.one/film/tomorrow-la-scala.md)
- *Spaced* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Daisy Steiner — [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md)
- *The Royle Family* (1998), Fi1m 85, as Cheryl Carroll — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-royle-family.md)

## Complete filmography (86)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Death of a Unicorn* (2025), as Shaw
- *Miss Austen* (2025), series, as Mary Austen
- *Patience* (2025), series, as DI Frankie Monroe
- *Paddington in Peru* (2024), as Miss Kitts — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/paddington-in-peru.md)
- *The Franchise* (2024), series, as Steph Mundun
- *Seize Them!* (2024), as Leofwine
- *The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin* (2024), series, as The Reddlehag
- *Rapture* (2023), Actor
- *Life After Life* (2022), series, as Mrs Glover
- *The Witchfinder* (2022), series, as Old Myers
- *Mood* (2022), series, as Laura — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/mood.md)
- *Dreaming Whilst Black* (2021), series, as Drew — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/dreaming-whilst-black.md)
- *Catching the Bus* (2021), as Marion
- *Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse* (2020), as Sofie Dahl
- *Seagull* (2019), as Janet
- *Years and Years* (2019), series, as Edith Lyons — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md)
- *The Fight* (2019), as Tina Bell · Director, Writer
- *Nativity Rocks!* (2018), as Angel Matthews
- *There She Goes* (2018), series, as Emily
- *Hang Ups* (2018), series, as Katherine Pitt
- *Songbird* (2018), as Sara
- *Paddington 2* (2017), as Miss Kitts — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/paddington-2.md)
- *Shelter* (2017), as Wendie
- *Hooten & The Lady* (2016), series, as Ella Bond
- *Bridget Jones's Baby* (2016), as Magda — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-baby.md)
- *We Love Sitcom* (2016), Actor
- *Swallows and Amazons* (2016), as Mrs. Jackson
- *Jack and Dean of All Trades* (2016), series, as Marv (voice)
- *Cider with Rosie* (2015), as Crabby
- *Winter* (2015), as Claudia
- *Pudsey the Dog: The Movie* (2014), as Gail
- *W1A* (2014), series, as Siobhan Sharpe
- *Duck Quacks Don't Echo* (2014), series, Actor
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Helen — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *Up the Women* (2013), series, as Margaret · Writer, Creator
- *Blandings* (2013), series, as Lady Daphne Littlewood
- *Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!* (2012), as Angel Matthews
- *Gadget Man* (2012), series, Actor
- *One Night* (2012), series, as Carol
- *Twenty Twelve* (2011), series, as Siobhan Sharpe — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/twenty-twelve.md)
- *Chalet Girl* (2011), as Interviewer 2
- *The Royle Family: Joe's Crackers* (2010), as Cheryl
- *Burke & Hare* (2010), as Lucky
- *The Lost Explorer* (2010), Actor
- *Lizzie and Sarah* (2010), as Sarah/Ellie · Writer
- *The Golden Egg Cup* (2009), as Cheryl Carroll
- *Faintheart* (2009), as Cath
- *Phoo Action* (2008), series, Writer
- *Learners* (2007), as Beverley · Writer
- *British Film Forever* (2007), series, as Narrator
- *Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix* (2007), as Mafalda Hopkirk (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix.md)
- *Magicians* (2007), as Linda Jones
- *Skins* (2007), series, as Crystal — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/skins.md)
- *Son of Rambow* (2007), as Mary Proudfoot — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/son-of-rambow.md)
- *Four Last Songs* (2007), as Miranda
- *Confetti* (2006), as Sam (as Jessica Stevenson)
- *Pinochet in Suburbia* (2006), as WPC Broughton
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Joan Redfern — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Doctor Who Confidential* (2005), series, Actor
- *According to Bex* (2005), series, Actor
- *Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason* (2004), as Magda — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-the-edge-of-reason.md)
- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), as Yvonne — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)
- *Bosom Pals* (2004), series, Actor
- *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor
- *Tomorrow La Scala!* (2002), as Victoria (as Jessica Stevenson) — Fi1m 59, [page](https://film.one/film/tomorrow-la-scala.md)
- *Pure* (2002), as Paramedic (as Jessica Stevenson)
- *Dick Whittington: The ITV Pantomime* (2002), as The Good Fairy (as Jessica Stevenson)
- *Bob & Rose* (2001), series, as Holly Vance
- *Black Books* (2000), series, as Eva — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-books.md)
- *Born Romantic* (2000), as Libby
- *Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)* (2000), series, Actor
- *Spaced* (1999), series, as Daisy Steiner · Writer, Creator — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md)
- *People Like Us* (1999), series, as Sarah
- *The Royle Family* (1998), series, as Cheryl Carroll — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-royle-family.md)
- *Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round* (1998), series, Actor
- *Unnatural Acts* (1998), series, Actor
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Judith Lessiter — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Staying Alive* (1996), series, as Alice Timpson
- *Mash and Peas* (1996), series, Actor
- *Asylum* (1996), series, as Martha · Writer
- *Six Pairs of Pants* (1995), series, as Additional Writing · Writer
- *Crown Prosecutor* (1995), series, as Jackie South
- *Tears Before Bedtime* (1995), series, as Maggie
- *The Baby of Mâcon* (1993), as The First Midwife (as Jessica Stevenson)
- *Swing Kids* (1993), as Helga
- *The House of Eliott* (1991), series, as Charlotte Parker

## Gallery

- ![Jessica Hynes on why 'Matilda' is Roald Dahl's Most Marvellous book.](https://film.one/media/person/60280/gallery-b18d33522d5c.png) Jessica Hynes on why 'Matilda' is Roald Dahl's Most Marvellous book. — Marcus Liversedge, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Jessica_Hynes.png/1280px-Jessica_Hynes.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jessica Hynes, at the 2008 Comic-Con Spaced panel.](https://film.one/media/person/60280/gallery-39dcc91fc394.jpg) Jessica Hynes, at the 2008 Comic-Con Spaced panel. — Ewen Roberts from San Diego, CA, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Jessica_Hynes_2008.jpg/1280px-Jessica_Hynes_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jessica Hynes and Simon Pegg, co-creators and co-stars of Spaced. At the Comic-con 2008 Spaced Screening](https://film.one/media/person/60280/gallery-a63335c5fbb8.jpg) Jessica Hynes and Simon Pegg, co-creators and co-stars of Spaced. At the Comic-con 2008 Spaced Screening — Ewen Roberts from San Diego, CA, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Jessica_Hynes_and_Simon_Pegg_at_Comic-con_2008.jpg/1280px-Jessica_Hynes_and_Simon_Pegg_at_Comic-con_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jessica Hynes, co-creator and co-star (as Daisy Steiner) of Spaced. At the 2008 Comic-con Spaced panel.](https://film.one/media/person/60280/gallery-541c23b44e5d.jpg) Jessica Hynes, co-creator and co-star (as Daisy Steiner) of Spaced. At the 2008 Comic-con Spaced panel. — Ewen Roberts from San Diego, CA, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Jessica_Hynes_at_the_Comic-con_Spaced_Panel_%282706115108%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Jessica_Hynes_at_the_Comic-con_Spaced_Panel_%282706115108%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jessica Hynes](https://film.one/media/person/60280/gallery-4df6269c90f9.jpg) Jessica Hynes — Image via TMDB
- ![Jessica Hynes](https://film.one/media/person/60280/gallery-4b3dab0ae8a4.jpg) Jessica Hynes — Marcus Liversedge, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Jessica_Hynes_in_Roald_Dahl%E2%80%99s_Most_Marvellous_Book_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### BAFTA Television Awards — 2 won

- 2019: Best Female Comedy Performance (won), for *There She Goes*
- 2015: Best Female Comedy Performance (won), for *W1A*

### Other awards — 4 won, 1 nominated

- Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2013: Royal Television Society Programme Awards (won), for *Twenty Twelve*
- Theatre World Special Award 2009: Theatre World Special Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2009: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated), for *The Norman Conquests*
- British Comedy Awards 2001 2001: British Comedy Awards 2001 (won)
- British Comedy Awards 1999 1999: British Comedy Awards 1999 (won)

*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/jessica-hynes