James Watkins (director)
James Watkins | |
|---|---|
Watkins in 2017 | |
| Born | 20 May 1973 Nottingham, England |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
James Thomas Watkins (born 20 May 1973) is an English filmmaker. He is best known for horror films such as Eden Lake (2008), The Woman in Black (2012), and Speak No Evil (2024). He has also directed episodes of series such as Black Mirror (2016) and The Ipcress File (2022), and was the creator, writer, director, and executive producer of the series McMafia (2018).
Early life
James Thomas Watkins was born in Nottingham on 20 May 1973.
Career
Film
Watkins co-wrote the horror films My Little Eye (2002) and Gone (2007). In his directorial debut, he wrote and directed the horror-thriller film Eden Lake (2008).[1] It won Best Horror Film at the 2009 Empire Awards, the Jury Prize at the Sitges Film Festival, and Best Director at Fantasporto. Watkins was also nominated for the Douglas Hickox Award at the 2008 British Independent Film Awards.
Watkins was the co-writer and second unit director of The Descent Part 2 (2009). He directed the horror film The Woman in Black (2012)[2][3] and co-wrote and directed the action thriller film Bastille Day (2016). He wrote and directed the horror-thriller film Speak No Evil (2024).[4] He has also written scripts for Warner Bros., Working Title, Film4, and BBC Films.
Watkins will next direct the DC Universe horror superhero film Clayface (2026).[5]
Television
Watkins directed the Black Mirror episode "Shut Up and Dance" (2016) and six episodes of The Ipcress File (2022). He was the creator, writer, director, and executive producer of McMafia (2018).
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | My Little Eye | No | Yes |
| 2007 | Gone | No | Yes |
| 2008 | Eden Lake | Yes | Yes |
| 2009 | The Descent Part 2 | Second unit | Yes |
| 2012 | The Woman in Black | Yes | No |
| 2016 | Bastille Day | Yes | Yes |
| 2024 | Speak No Evil | Yes | Yes |
| 2026 | Clayface | Yes | No |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Creator | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Black Mirror | Yes | No | No | No | Episode: "Shut Up and Dance" |
| 2018 | McMafia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 episodes |
| 2022 | The Ipcress File | Yes | No | No | No | 6 episodes |
References
- ^ "James Watkins interview: Eden Lake, modern horror & The Descent 2". Den of Geek. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (4 February 2019). "Q&A: Director James Watkins' Dark Directions For THE WOMAN IN BLACK". Fangoria.
- ^ Mellor, Louisa (9 February 2012). "James Watkins, Jane Goldman & Susan Hill interview: The Woman In Black, Hammer and more". Den of Geek.
- ^ "James Watkins - United Agents". United Agents. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (21 February 2025). "DC's 'Clayface' Lands 'Speak No Evil' Director James Watkins (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
External links