Jessica Hynes

Jessica Hynes, born in Lewisham, London, England in 1972 and later growing up in Brighton, is an English actress, director, and writer. She attended St Luke's Infant and Junior Schools and Dorothy Stringer School before joining the National Youth Theatre company at age fifteen. Her stage debut came in 1990 with Lionel Bart’s 'Blitz'. Early roles included appearances in Peter Greenaway’s 'The Baby of Macon' (1991) and Disney’s 'Swing Kids' (1993), as well as a role in the television drama 'Staying Alive' (1996) and sketch shows like 'Asylum'. She also performed with Katy Carmichael as the comedy duo 'The Liz Hurleys', demonstrating an early interest in comedic performance.

Hynes is perhaps best known for her work on 'Spaced' (1999–2001), where she co-wrote and starred, a role recognized by many. She also gained significant recognition playing Cheryl in 'The Royle Family' from 1998 to 2010. Her versatility is evident in her appearances across various film series, including the 'Bridget Jones' films (2004–2016), the 'Nativity' films (2012–2018), and the 'Paddington' films (2017–2024). Other notable film credits include 'Shaun of the Dead' directed by Edgar Wright and a voice role in 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'. She has also appeared in films with varying critical reception, such as 'Swallows and Amazons' (2016) which received a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and 'Pudsey the Dog: The Movie' (2014) which received a 0% rating.

Throughout her career, Jessica Hynes has received numerous accolades. She has won two BAFTAs out of five nominations, including one in 2019 for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme. She also holds two Royal Television Society Awards from three nominations, and two British Comedy Awards from three nominations. She was nominated for an International Emmy Award twice, a Tony Award in 2009 for her Broadway debut in 'The Norman Conquests', and a Laurence Olivier Award in 2002. More recently, she took part in the S4C series Iaith ar Daith in 2023 to learn Welsh. She continues to work as an actress and director, with recent appearances including 'Paddington in Peru' and directing 'The Fight'. Her roles in shows like 'Twenty Twelve' (2011–2012) and 'W1A' (2014–2017), and the series 'There She Goes' (2018–2023) further solidify her presence in British television.