James Watkins
Writer-Director
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
James made his directing debut with the critically acclaimed thriller EDEN LAKE. Declared 'the best British horror film in years' The Guardian, it won the Empire Award for Best Horror, the Jury Prize at Sitges Fantasy Film Festival and Best Director at Fantasporto.
Before he moved into directing, James had a first-look writing deal with Working Title Films. Under this deal, he wrote several scripts including acclaimed horror-thriller MY LITTLE EYE. Other writing credits include GONE and THE DESCENT 2. James has also written scripts for Film4 and BBC Films, and in 2012 directed the international success THE WOMAN IN BLACK, a chilling Victorian ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe.
He is currently developing projects with Warner Bros (producer David Heyman), with producer Will Clarke and also with Pathe (producer Christian Colson).
James is represented by Phil D'Amecourt WME in the US.
Film
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
THE TAKE 2016 | Studio Canal | Prods: Bard Doros, Fabrice Gianfermi, Steve Golin, David Kanter, Philippe Rousselet |
THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2012 | Hammer Films | Writer: Jane Goldman. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Shaun Dooley and Ciaran Hinds. |
THE DESCENT 2 2009 | Celador Films | Writer |
EDEN LAKE 2008 | Celador Films | Writer/Director |
GONE 2007 | Working Title Films | Co-writer, from his original screenplay Directed by Ringan Ledwidge |
MY LITTLE EYE 2002 | Working Title Films | Writer. Directed by Marc Evans |
Television
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
BLACK MIRROR (Shut Up and Dance) 2016 | Netflix / Black Mirror Drama Ltd | Director. Starring Alex Lawther, Jerome Flynn. |
MCMAFIA 2018 | Cuba Pictures / BBC | Co-creator/Director. Starring James Norton. |