---
name: "Julia Davis"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/julia-davis"
fi1m_id: "julia-davis"
imdb_id: "nm0204919"
tmdb_id: 1836
wikidata_id: "Q3189038"
roles: ["Actor","Writer","Director"]
born: "25 August 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-07T18:27:58.221407+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."
---

# Julia Davis

## Identity

Julia Davis

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/julia-davis
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** julia-davis
- **IMDb ID:** nm0204919
- **TMDB ID:** 1836
- **Wikidata ID:** Q3189038
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Davis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3189038, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0204919/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1836

Actor and writer. Born 25 August 1966 in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Writer, Director
- **Born:** 25 August 1966, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** Джулія Дейвіс
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 17: 15 acting, 1 directing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Kevin Eldon](https://film.one/person/kevin-eldon.md), [Rebecca Front](https://film.one/person/rebecca-front.md), [Ruth Jones](https://film.one/person/ruth-jones.md), [Ted Dowd](https://film.one/person/ted-dowd.md), [Tony Dow](https://film.one/person/tony-dow.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 88 (1), 2000s 76 (5), 2010s 80 (9), 2020s 65 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 72 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 13, Drama 9, Crime 3, Animation 2, Family 2, Mystery 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $864m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Davis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3189038, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0204919/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1836

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Four Lions*](https://film.one/film/four-lions.md) (94)
- **Netflix:** [*Phantom Thread*](https://film.one/film/phantom-thread.md) (87)
- **Apple TV:** [*Gavin & Stacey*](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md) (80)
- **Disney+:** [*Hunderby*](https://film.one/tv/hunderby.md) (75)

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

## Fi1m on Julia Davis

> Julia Davis writes cruelty with an ear for the reassuring phrase, then delivers it as though she were being helpful. We recommend her comedies for their exact wording and performances, though she sometimes keeps being nasty after the joke has finished.

In *Nighty Night* (2004), Jill Tyrrell tilts her head and lowers her voice before saying something appalling. Davis delivers the cruelty as concern, never raising her voice. We laughed and felt ashamed when Jill addressed Rebecca Front’s trusting Cathy in that soft voice; the delivery made the cruelty funnier, and Cathy’s kindness made it hurt. There is no moment of vulnerability offered to let us feel better about Jill.

*Human Remains* (2000), co-written and performed with Rob Brydon, had already established her interest in dysfunctional couples. Creating and producing *Nighty Night* gave Davis a whole sitcom in which to test how long such dreadful company could remain funny. It works because the other actors do not merely stand about waiting to be insulted: Kevin Eldon’s baffled Terry and Ruth Jones’s patient Linda get laughs from how little they do. The second series sags, a warning that even a character this sharply played can be asked to sustain too much.

In *Hunderby* (2012), Davis takes that unkindness into period comedy and shares the writing with Barunka O’Shaughnessy. Their exact phrasing matters more than the willingness to offend: the strongest jokes go a little further than we expect without stopping to congratulate themselves. Davis also plays Dorothy, giving the lines the attention to delivery they require. There are misses, particularly when the effort to be outrageous becomes more noticeable than what anyone is saying.

*Camping* (2016) brought her directorial debut; by *Sally4Ever* (2018), she was again creating, writing, directing and acting. Her Emma is objectionable company, kept watchable by Davis’s comic precision, while Catherine Shepherd’s exhausted Sally gives us someone worth staying with. Davis is good at making difficult people watchable without asking for sympathy. But another escalation of nastiness can become predictable, and here she sometimes presses on after the discomfort has stopped changing. We would start with *Nighty Night*, with fair warning that Davis has no interest in making Jill easier to like.

## Biography

Julia Davis (born 25 August 1966) is an English actress, comedian, director and writer. She created and starred in the dark comedy series Nighty Night (2004–2005), Hunderby (2012–2015), Camping (2016) and Sally4Ever (2018). She has received multiple BAFTA TV Award nominations, winning Best Comedy Writing for Hunderby in 2013 and Best Scripted Comedy for Sally4Ever in 2018, along with two RTS Awards and three British Comedy Awards.

Davis is known for her role as Dawn Sutcliffe in the BBC series Gavin & Stacey (2007–2009, 2019, 2024). Her film appearances include Nancy the Caterer in Love Actually (2003), a role in Four Lions (2010) and Lady Baltimore in Phantom Thread (2017). She is the partner of comedian Julian Barratt.

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

## On Fi1m (17)

### Performed in (15) — the average rests on these

- *Sing 2* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Linda Le Bon (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/sing-2.md)
- *The Outlaws* (2021), Fi1m 67, as Rita — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-outlaws.md)
- *Stath Lets Flats* (2018), Fi1m 82, as Kris — [page](https://film.one/tv/stath-lets-flats.md)
- *Phantom Thread* (2017), Fi1m 87, as Lady Baltimore — [page](https://film.one/film/phantom-thread.md)
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Felicity — [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *Hunderby* (2012), Fi1m 75, as Dorothy — [page](https://film.one/tv/hunderby.md)
- *Arthur Christmas* (2011), Fi1m 82, as UNFITA OPS (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md)
- *Black Mirror* (2011), Fi1m 81, as Judge Charity — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Cemetery Junction* (2010), Fi1m 61, as Mrs. Taylor — [page](https://film.one/film/cemetery-junction.md)
- *Four Lions* (2010), Fi1m 94, as Alice — [page](https://film.one/film/four-lions.md)
- *Gavin & Stacey* (2007), Fi1m 80, as Dawn Sutcliffe — [page](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md)
- *Nathan Barley* (2005), Fi1m 74, as Honda Poppet — [page](https://film.one/tv/nathan-barley.md)
- *Nighty Night* (2004), Fi1m 82, as Jill Tyrrell — [page](https://film.one/tv/nighty-night.md)
- *Love Actually* (2003), Fi1m 58, as Nancy the Caterer — [page](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md)
- *I'm Alan Partridge* (1997), Fi1m 88, as Kate Fitzgerald — [page](https://film.one/tv/im-alan-partridge.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Sally4Ever* (2018), Fi1m 78, as Emma — [page](https://film.one/tv/sally4ever.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), Fi1m 85, as News Reporter (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)

## Complete filmography (71)

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

- *The Toxic Avenger Unrated* (2025), as Kissy Sturnevan, his Associate
- *The Fairy Moon* (2025), as The Operator
- *Gavin & Stacey: The Finale* (2024), as Dawn Sutcliffe
- *Person of Interest* (2024), as Dr. Kate Shelley
- *Run Rabbit Run* (2024), as Gail
- *My Massive Cock* (2022), as Narrator
- *Nude Tuesday* (2022), Writer
- *A Very British Scandal* (2021), series, as Maureen Guinness
- *Sing 2* (2021), as Linda Le Bon (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sing-2.md)
- *The Outlaws* (2021), series, as Rita — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-outlaws.md)
- *The Clearing* (2021), as Deb
- *Gavin & Stacey: A Special Christmas* (2019), as Dawn Sutcliffe
- *Fighting with My Family* (2019), as Daphne
- *The Shivering Truth* (2018), series, as (voice)
- *Sally4Ever* (2018), series, as Emma · Writer, Director, Creator — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/sally4ever.md)
- *Camping* (2018), series, Executive Producer
- *Stath Lets Flats* (2018), series, as Kris — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/stath-lets-flats.md)
- *Phantom Thread* (2017), as Lady Baltimore — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/phantom-thread.md)
- *Brakes* (2017), as Livy
- *Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams* (2017), series, as Sally Morris
- *Camping* (2016), series, as Fay · Writer, Director, Executive Producer, Creator
- *Morning Has Broken* (2014), as Gail Sinclair · Writer
- *The Bird* (2014), as Mother
- *The Understudy* (2014), as Felicity
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Felicity — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *Psychobitches* (2013), series, as Sylvia Plath, Enid Blyton, Joy Adamson, Helen of Troy / Helen Keller, Mary Pickford · Writer
- *It's Kevin* (2013), series, as Various, Lizzie
- *Uncle Wormsley's Christmas* (2012), as Mrs. Goodington
- *Hunderby* (2012), series, as Dorothy · Writer, Creator — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/hunderby.md)
- *Bad Sugar* (2012), as Daphne Cauldwell
- *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Sylvia Plath, Enid Blyton, Joy Adamson, Helen of Troy / Helen Keller, Mary Pickford · Writer
- *Black Mirror* (2011), series, as Judge Charity — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Arthur Christmas* (2011), as UNFITA OPS (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/arthur-christmas.md)
- *Chekhov Comedy Shorts* (2010), series, as Popova
- *Come on Eileen* (2010), as Dee
- *Four Lions* (2010), as Alice — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/film/four-lions.md)
- *Cemetery Junction* (2010), as Mrs. Taylor — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/cemetery-junction.md)
- *Lizzie and Sarah* (2010), as Lizzie/Faith · Writer
- *Steve Coogan: The Inside Story* (2009), Writer
- *10 Minute Tales* (2009), series, as Overbearing Midwife
- *Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 2008* (2008), as Dawn Sutcliffe
- *Gavin & Stacey* (2007), series, as Dawn Sutcliffe — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/gavin-and-stacey.md)
- *Persuasion* (2007), as Elizabeth Elliot
- *For the Love of God* (2007), as Mother
- *Born Equal* (2006), as Sally
- *Fear of Fanny* (2006), as Fanny Cradock
- *Confetti* (2006), as Counsellor
- *Nathan Barley* (2005), series, as Honda Poppet — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/nathan-barley.md)
- *Ideal* (2005), series, as Dawn, Amanda With The Weird Eyes (Voice) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/ideal.md)
- *AD/BC: A Rock Opera* (2004), as Ruth
- *I Am Not an Animal* (2004), series, as Claire the Rat (voice)
- *Shaun of the Dead* (2004), as News Reporter (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-of-the-dead.md)
- *Sex Lives of the Potato Men* (2004), as Shelley
- *The Alan Clark Diaries* (2004), series, as Jenny Easterbrook
- *Nighty Night* (2004), series, as Jill Tyrrell · Producer, Creator — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nighty-night.md)
- *Love Actually* (2003), as Nancy the Caterer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md)
- *Appointment with Dr. Terrible* (2003), as Interviewee – Actor
- *Hello, Friend* (2003), as (voice)
- *Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself* (2002), as Moira
- *Dr Terrible's House of Horrible* (2001), series, as Stephanie Wise
- *The Parole Officer* (2001), as Insinuating Wife
- *Human Remains* (2000), series, as Various Characters
- *Jam* (2000), series, as Various
- *Steve Coogan: The Man Who Thinks He's It* (1999), Actor
- *People Like Us* (1999), series, as Lisa Bell
- *Coming Soon* (1999), as Kim
- *Coming Soon* (1999), series, Actor
- *Lima: Breaking the Silence* (1999), Line Producer
- *Big Train* (1998), series, Actor
- *I'm Alan Partridge* (1997), series, as Kate Fitzgerald — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/im-alan-partridge.md)
- *Pretend with Pibble*, as Narrator

## Gallery

- ![Julia Davis](https://film.one/media/person/101477/gallery-a76d7f3b8acb.jpg) Julia Davis — Matt Deegan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Julia_Davis%2C_British_Podcast_Awards_2019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![190518_BPA_318 (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/101477/gallery-0098fa0333f9.jpg) 190518_BPA_318 (2019) — Matt Deegan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/British_Podcast_Awards_2019_%2847829356202%29.jpg/1280px-British_Podcast_Awards_2019_%2847829356202%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Julia Davis](https://film.one/media/person/101477/gallery-8f160527c40b.jpg) Julia Davis — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/julia-davis