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Jesse Armstrong

Updated: Wikipedia source

Jesse Armstrong

Jesse David Armstrong (born 13 December 1970) is an English screenwriter and producer. Known for writing for a string of critically acclaimed British comedy series as well as satirical dramas, he has received numerous accolades including two BAFTA TV Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three WGA Awards, and eight Emmy Awards in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and two BAFTA Film Awards. He first gained prominence co-creating the British comedy shows Peep Show (2003–2015) and Fresh Meat (2011–2016) with his writing partner Sam Bain. During this time he wrote for the political satire series The Thick of It (2005–2009) and co-wrote In the Loop (2009), the latter of which earned him Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also co-wrote the films Four Lions (2010) and Downhill (2020). Armstrong made his directorial debut with the television film Mountainhead (2025) which he also wrote. He gained acclaim for creating the HBO comedy-drama series Succession (2018–2023) earning four consecutive wins of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for writing episodes of the first, second, third and fourth seasons of Succession.

Infobox

Born
Jesse David Armstrong (1970-12-13) 13 December 1970 (age 54)Oswestry, Shropshire, England
Education
University of Manchester
Occupation(s)
Screenwriter, producer
Years active
2000–present
Children
2
Occupations
Screenwriter, author, producer

Tables

· Works › Film
2007
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2009
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2010
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2012
Bad Sugar
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2013
No Kaddish in Carmarthen
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2015
Incident on the Northern Line
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2019
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2020
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2025
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Notes
2007
Magicians
No
Yes
Also associate producer
2009
In the Loop
No
Yes
2010
Four Lions
No
Yes
2012
Bad Sugar
No
Yes
Short film
2013
No Kaddish in Carmarthen
Yes
Yes
Short film
2015
Incident on the Northern Line
Yes
Yes
Short film
2019
The Day Shall Come
No
Yes
2020
Downhill
No
Yes
2025
Mountainhead
Yes
Yes
· Works › Television
2000
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2000–2002
Role(s)
Smack the Pony
Notes
No
2001
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2001–2002
Role(s)
TV to Go
Notes
No
2001–2003
Role(s)
The Queen's Nose
Notes
No
2002
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2003
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2003–2015
Role(s)
Peep Show
Notes
No
2004
Revolver
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2005–2009
Role(s)
The Thick of It
Notes
No
2006
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
The Last Laugh
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2006–2009
Role(s)
That Mitchell and Webb Look
Notes
No
2007
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
Ladies and Gentlemen
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2008
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2009–2010
Role(s)
The Old Guys
Notes
No
2011
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2011–2016
Role(s)
Fresh Meat
Notes
No
2012
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2014
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2018–2023
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
No
2019–2021
Role(s)
Dead Pixels
Notes
No
2025
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
ExecutiveProducer
Creator
Notes
2000
My Parents Are Aliens
No
Yes
No
No
Episode: "El Presidente"
2000–2002
Smack the Pony
No
Yes
No
No
Additional material
2001
2DTV
No
Yes
No
No
2001–2002
TV to Go
No
Yes
No
No
2001–2003
The Queen's Nose
No
Yes
No
No
6 episodes
2002
Seriously Weird
No
Yes
No
No
Ed Stone Is Dead
No
Yes
No
No
2003
The Story of Tracy Beaker
No
Yes
No
No
2 episodes
Bedsitcom
No
Yes
No
No
2003–2015
Peep Show
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2004
Revolver
No
Yes
No
No
5 episodes
2005–2009
The Thick of It
No
Yes
No
No
15 episodes
2006
The Secret Policeman's Ball
No
Yes
No
No
TV special
The Last Laugh
No
Yes
No
No
2006–2009
That Mitchell and Webb Look
No
Yes
No
No
6 episodes
2007
Dogface
No
Yes
No
No
5 episodes
Ladies and Gentlemen
No
Yes
No
No
TV pilot
2008
Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe
No
Yes
No
No
2009–2010
The Old Guys
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2011
Black Mirror
No
Yes
No
No
Episode: "The Entire History of You"
2011–2016
Fresh Meat
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2012
Veep
No
Yes
No
No
Episode: "Tears"
Bad Sugar
No
Yes
No
No
TV pilot
2014
Babylon
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
2018–2023
Succession
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
16 episodes
2019–2021
Dead Pixels
No
No
Yes
No
2025
Mountainhead
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
TV film
· Works › Television
2015
Role(s)
Contestant
Notes
2 episodes
2016
Role(s)
Script consultant
Notes
1 episode
2017
Role(s)
Story consultant
2019–2024
Role(s)
What We Do in the Shadows
Notes
Executive consultant
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2015
Christmas University Challenge
Contestant
2 episodes
2016
Fleabag
Script consultant
1 episode
2017
Back
Story consultant
2019–2024
What We Do in the Shadows
Executive consultant
61 episodes
· Awards and nominations
2005
Role(s)
Situation Comedy & Comedy Drama
Notes
Peep Show
Writer – Comedy
Role(s)
Nominated
2006
Role(s)
Best Situation Comedy
Notes
Peep Show
Role(s)
Writer's Award
Notes
The Thick of It
Situation Comedy & Comedy Drama
Role(s)
Nominated
Writer – Comedy
Role(s)
Won
2008
Won
2009
Role(s)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Nominated
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Writer
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best TV Comedy
Notes
Peep Show
Role(s)
Best Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Original Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Notes
Runner-up
Role(s)
Screenwriter of the Year
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Role(s)
Best Screenplay
Notes
Won
Online Film & Television Association Awards
Role(s)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Notes
In the Loop
Scripted Comedy
Role(s)
Nominated
Writer – Comedy
Role(s)
Won
2010
Nominated
Role(s)
Nominated
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award
Role(s)
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Nominated
Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards
Role(s)
Best Original Screenplay
Notes
Four Lions
Role(s)
Four Lions
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Comedy Series
Notes
Peep Show
Four Lions
Role(s)
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Original Screenplay
Notes
Four Lions
2011
Nominated
Best Sitcom
Role(s)
Peep Show
Notes
Nominated
Best Comedy Drama
Role(s)
Fresh Meat
Notes
Nominated
Best British TV Comedy
Role(s)
Won
Nominated
2012
Role(s)
Nominated
Best Comedy/Entertainment
Role(s)
Fresh Meat
Notes
Nominated
Best Writing in a Comedy Series
Role(s)
Veep
Notes
Nominated
Scripted Comedy
Role(s)
Fresh Meat
Notes
Won
Writer – Comedy
Role(s)
Won
Role(s)
New Series
Notes
Veep
2013
Best Entertainment/Comedy
Role(s)
Nominated
2014
Role(s)
Fresh Meat
Notes
Nominated
2016
Role(s)
Peep Show
Notes
Nominated
Peep Show
Role(s)
Nominated
2018
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
Nominated
New Series
Role(s)
Nominated
2019
Role(s)
Best Television Series – Drama
Notes
Succession
Role(s)
Outstanding Drama Series
Notes
Succession
Role(s)
Succession (Episode: "Nobody Is Ever Missing")
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Drama
Notes
Succession
Role(s)
Nominated
Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
Won
2020
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
Won
Outstanding Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession (Episode: "This Is Not for Tears")
Notes
Won
2021
Won
Won
Won
2022
Role(s)
Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Notes
Succession (Episode: "All the Bells Say")
Nominated
Outstanding Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession (Episode: "All the Bells Say")
Notes
Won
2023
Won
Role(s)
Notes
Won
Outstanding Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession
Notes
Won
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Role(s)
Succession (Episode: "Connor's Wedding")
Notes
Won
Won
Won
2025
Role(s)
Mountainhead
Notes
Nominated
Year
Award
Category
Nominated work
Result
Ref.
2009
Academy Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
In the Loop
Nominated
2022
Astra TV Awards
Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Drama
Succession (Episode: "All the Bells Say")
Nominated
2023
Succession (Episode: "Connor's Wedding")
Won
2009
British Academy Film Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
In the Loop
Nominated
Outstanding British Film
Nominated
2006
British Academy Television Awards
Best Situation Comedy
Peep Show
Nominated
2008
Won
2009
Nominated
2010
Nominated
2011
Nominated
2012
Fresh Meat
Nominated
2016
Best Scripted Comedy
Peep Show
Nominated
2009
British Academy Television Craft Awards
Best Writer
Nominated
2010
The Thick of It
Nominated
2014
Best Writer: Comedy
Fresh Meat
Nominated
2016
Peep Show
Nominated
2020
Best Writer: Drama
Succession
Won
2022
Nominated
2009
British Comedy Awards
Best TV Comedy
Peep Show
Nominated
2010
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award
Won
2011
Best Sitcom
Peep Show
Nominated
Best Comedy Drama
Fresh Meat
Nominated
Best British TV Comedy
Won
2009
British Independent Film Awards
Best Screenplay
In the Loop
Won
2010
Four Lions
Nominated
2006
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards
Writer's Award
The Thick of It
Won
2010
Won
2012
Best Comedy/Entertainment
Fresh Meat
Nominated
2013
Best Entertainment/Comedy
Nominated
2010
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards
Best Original Screenplay
Four Lions
Nominated
2009
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
In the Loop
Nominated
2010
Best Original Screenplay
Four Lions
Nominated
2009
Chlotrudis Awards
Best Original Screenplay
In the Loop
Won
2019
Golden Globe Awards
Best Television Series – Drama
Succession
Won
2021
Won
2023
Won
2009
Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Best Screenplay
In the Loop
Nominated
2009
International Cinephile Society Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
Runner-up
2010
International Emmy Awards
Best Comedy Series
Peep Show
Nominated
2023
Founders Award
Won
2009
London Film Critics' Circle Awards
Screenwriter of the Year
In the Loop
Won
2010
Four Lions
Nominated
2009
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Best Screenplay
In the Loop
Runner-up
2009
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Screenplay
Won
2009
Online Film & Television Association Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominated
2012
Best Writing in a Comedy Series
Veep
Nominated
2009
Online Film Critics Society Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay
In the Loop
Nominated
2019
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Drama Series
Succession
Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
Succession (Episode: "Nobody Is Ever Missing")
Won

References

  1. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/30/the-real-ceo-of-succession
  2. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/feb/22/fresh-meat-series-four-writers-university-student-days
  3. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/may/19/media
  4. New Statesman
    https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv-radio/2021/09/jesse-armstrong-on-power-politics-and-the-return-of-succession
  5. The Sunday Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8774274/Interview-Fresh-Meat-writers-Sam-Bain-and-Jesse-Armstrong.html
  6. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/the-secret-of-good-comedy-writing-423112.html
  7. Peep Show (British TV series)#Awards and honours
  8. "Television Awards 2008"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110927135242/http://www.bafta.org/awards/television/latest-winners-and-nominees,91,BA.html
  9. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a391780/benedict-cumberbatch-reggie-yates-make-broadcast-hot-100-list.html
  10. "Channel 4 commissions Bad Sugar by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong"
    http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-commissions-bad-sugar-by-sam-bain-and-jesse-armstrong
  11. "The Thick of It returns to BBC Two for new series"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/thick-of-it.html
  12. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/series/malcolm-tuckers-election-briefing
  13. New Statesman
    http://www.newstatesman.com/writers/jesse_armstrong/page/1
  14. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/dec/14/hollywood-black-list-best-unproduced-scripts
  15. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jul/07/phone-hacking-the-murdochs
  16. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a328743/rupert-murdoch-drama-planned-by-channel-4.html
  17. Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a329093/peep-show-creator-denies-channel-4-rupert-murdoch-drama.html
  18. The A.V. Club
    https://www.avclub.com/adam-mckay-1798221176
  19. Ain't It Cool News
    http://www.aintitcool.com/node/46033
  20. indieWIRE
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111215075511/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/michael_winterbottom_planning_to_direct_beatles_movie_the_longest_cocktail_
  21. BBC News Online
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15308250
  22. Digital Spy
    https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a457941/robert-downey-jr-to-make-movie-based-on-charlie-brookers-black-mirror/
  23. "Love, Sex and Other Foreign Policy Goals"
    http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/elite-fighting-forces/9780224097345
  24. Variety
    https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/will-ferrell-adam-mckay-hbo-1201981682/
  25. The Independent
    https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/features/can-kings-of-comedy-sam-bain-and-jesse-armstrong-strike-gold-with-a-full-series-of-metropolitan-police-serial-babylon-9826674.html
  26. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jul/01/mountainhead-jesse-armstrong-intervew-elon-musk-succession-tech-bros-ai
  27. The New Yorker
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/30/the-real-ceo-of-succession
  28. www.ft.com
    https://www.ft.com/content/49afd5e6-0da7-4164-960d-541b87200fd2
  29. The Adam Buxton podcast
    https://sphinx.acast.com/p/acast/s/adambuxton/e/6510104fe663d9001105713e/media.mp3
  30. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2025/03/jesse-armstrong-hbo-movie-cast-steve-carell-jason-schwartzman-1236310521/
  31. BBC iPlayer
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06tl3bq/university-challenge-christmas-2015-3-manchester-v-uea
  32. "The 82nd Academy Awards (2010) Nominees and Winners"
    http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2010
  33. "'This Is Us', 'Succession', 'Severance', 'Ted Lasso' lead 2022 HCA TV nominations"
    https://deadline.com/2022/07/this-is-us-succession-severance-ted-lasso-2022-hca-tv-nominations-full-list-1235059982/
  34. "Prime Video's 'The Boys' leads the 2023 Astra TV Awards"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20240111055505/https://hollywoodcreative.org/press-releases/prime-videos-the-boys-leads-the-2023-astra-tv-awards/
  35. "Film in 2010"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2010/film
  36. "Television in 2006"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2006/television
  37. "Television in 2008"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2008/television
  38. "Television in 2009"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2009/television
  39. "Television in 2010"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2010/television
  40. "Television in 2011"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2011/television
  41. "Television in 2012"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2012/television
  42. "Television in 2016"
    https://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/television
  43. "Television Craft in 2009"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2009/tvcraft
  44. "Television Craft in 2010"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2010/tvcraft
  45. "Television Craft in 2014"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2014/tvcraft
  46. "Television Craft in 2016"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2016/tvcraft
  47. "Television Craft in 2020"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2020/tvcraft
  48. "Television Craft in 2022"
    http://awards.bafta.org/award/2022/tvcraft
  49. "Past winners 2009"
    https://www.britishcomedyawards.com/past-winners/2009.aspx
  50. "Winners 2010"
    https://www.britishcomedyawards.com/past-winners/2010.aspx
  51. "Winners 2011"
    https://www.britishcomedyawards.com/past-winners/2011.aspx
  52. BIFA · British Independent Film Awards
    https://www.bifa.film/awards/2009/winners-nominations/
  53. BIFA · British Independent Film Awards
    https://www.bifa.film/awards/2010/winners-nominations/
  54. "2006 Awards"
    https://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/bpg-awards/2006-32nd-annual-awards/
  55. "2010 Awards"
    https://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/bpg-awards/2010-36th-annual-awards/
  56. "2012 Awards"
    https://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/bpg-awards/2012-winners/
  57. "2013 Awards"
    https://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/bpg-awards/2013-2/
  58. "9th Annual Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards"
    https://cofca.org/awards-2010/
  59. "1988-2013 Award Winner Archives"
    https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives
  60. "16th Annual Chlotrudis Awards"
    https://chlotrudis.org/awards/past-awards/2010-16th-annual-awards-march-21-2010/
  61. "Succession"
    https://goldenglobes.com/tv-show/succession/
  62. "The Houston Film Critics Society Award Winners for 2009"
    https://houstonfilmcritics.com/the-houston-film-critics-society-award-winners-for-2009/
  63. "2010 ICS Award Winners"
    https://icsfilm.org/our-yearly-awards/2010-ics-award-winners/
  64. "38TH INTERNATIONAL EMMY® AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED"
    https://www.iemmys.tv/38th-international-emmy-awards-nominees-announced/
  65. "JESSE ARMSTRONG TO RECEIVE 2023 INTERNATIONAL EMMY® FOUNDERS AWARD"
    https://www.iemmys.tv/jesse-armstrong-to-receive-2023-international-emmy-founders-award/
  66. "Quentin Tarantino honoured by London Film Critics' Circle"
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/6860537/Quentin-Tarantino-honoured-by-London-Film-Critics-Circle.html
  67. "'The King's Speech,' 'Another Year' Lead Nominations at London Critics' Circle Film Awards"
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kings-speech-year-lead-nominations-61748
  68. "The 35th Annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards"
    http://www.lafca.net/Years/2009.php
  69. "'Hurt Locker' tops with N.Y. Film Critics"
    https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/hurt-locker-tops-with-n-y-film-critics-1118012706/
  70. "14th Annual Film Awards (2009)"
    https://www.oftaawards.com/film-awards/14th-annual-film-awards-2009/
  71. "16th Annual TV Awards (2011-12)"
    https://www.oftaawards.com/television-awards/16th-annual-tv-awards-2011-12/
  72. "2009 Awards (13th Annual)"
    https://ofcs.org/awards/2009-awards-13th-annual/
  73. "Jesse Armstrong"
    https://www.emmys.com/bios/jesse-armstrong
  74. "'1917,' 'Succession' Among Top PGA Award Winners"
    https://variety.com/2020/film/news/pga-awards-winners-2020-1203471639/
  75. "Producers Guild of America Awards Celebrates CODA, Succession, Encanto, Summer of Soul, Ted Lasso, & More with Top Honors"
    https://producersguild.org/2022-pgaaward-winners/
  76. "2024 PGA Awards – Winners"
    https://producersguild.org/2024-pga-awards-winners/
  77. "RTS Programme Winners 2005"
    https://rts.org.uk/award/programme-awards-winners-2005
  78. "RTS Programme Awards 2006"
    https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-programme-awards-2006
  79. "RTS Programme Awards 2009"
    https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-programme-awards-2009
  80. "RTS Programme Awards 2011"
    https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-programme-awards-2011
  81. "RTS Programme Awards 2012"
    https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-programme-awards-2012
  82. "2010 Awards"
    https://www.sdfcs.org/2010-awards/
  83. "2013 WRITERS GUILD AWARDS TELEVISION, NEWS, RADIO, PROMOTIONAL WRITING, AND GRAPHIC ANIMATION NOMINEES ANNOUNCED"
    https://www.wgaeast.org/wp-content/uploads/typo3/user_upload/_temp_/revision02062013_Writers_Guild_Awards_-_Television-News-Radio-Promo-Graphic_Art_Nominees_Announced_FINAL_12-7-12_REV_2-5-13.pdf
  84. "The 71st Writers Guild of America Awards"
    https://www.wgaeast.org/award/2019/
  85. "The 72nd Writers Guild of America Awards"
    https://www.wgaeast.org/award/2020/
  86. "The 74th Writers Guild of America Awards"
    https://www.wgaeast.org/award/2022
  87. "The 76th Writers Guild of America Awards"
    https://www.wgaeast.org/award/2024
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