Charly Clive

Charly starred in as a lead role opposite Paapa Essiedu in the second series of Sky Max's hit series - THE LAZARUS PROJECT, which has received excellent write-ups. She also recently starred as Saskia in the short film HOUSEWARMING, which was nominated for ‘Best UK Short’ at the Raindance Film Festival.

Charly received rave reviews for her performance as the lead “Marnie” in the series PURE, which airs on Channel 4 and HBO Max, written by Kristie Swain. PURE was Charly’s first role on screen and earned her a place on the 2018 Screen Daily Stars of Tomorrow list. In it, she plays a woman who suffers from a form of OCD called PURE O. The Guardian described Charly’s performance as – “masterly.”

In 2021, Charly could be seen in a lead role in indie feature film, ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME. The film debuted at Tribeca and had its UK premiere at LFF. It was picked up for US distribution by Super Ltd and by the BFI in the UK. The film received excellent reviews, with Variety describing it an: "Exquisitely Uncomfortable Social Anxiety Comedy-Horror."

Charly and her comedy partner, Ellen Robertson, make up the celebrated sketch group, Britney. They adapted their eponymous sell-out debut live show for a BBC3 pilot, which received nothing by 5 star and 4 star reviews. The I wrote – “It was ferociously funny, heartbreaking, and honest, and it’s the kind of show that makes me glad BBC Three is returning to television in February – Britney deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.” Their latest live show – FRIENDS AND NOTHING MORE – had a sell-out run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival before transferring to London’s Soho Theatre.

Charly and Ellen have several other scripted projects in development together, and Charly also has projects of her own in development with prestigious UK production companies. See more on BRITNEY and their writing work here. Charly also has scripted projects of her own in development.

Charly Clive studied at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She had her first starring role on stage as Marion in HOOD: THE MUSCIAL at the Scranton Shakespeare Festival in the US. She then returned to the UK to write and perform with her and Ellen Robertson’s comedy sketch duo, BRITNEY, who have had sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Vault Festival and most recently at the Battersea Arts Centre. Charly and Ellen are also developing a scripted television project with Drama Republic. Charly made her film debut in the indie feature, NEVER BETTER, directed by Will McDowell.

Praise for Charly Clive and PURE:

“Clive’s performance is masterly” ✭✭✭✭  The Guardian

“Charming and goofy even in her despair” ✭✭✭✭  The I

“Charly Clive is a rare talent . . . easy to warm to, while her public clowning makes her fun to watch” ✭✭✭✭ * Den of Geek

“Wonderful honesty and uplifting” ✭✭✭✭ Arts Desks

“Funny, grotesque and disorientating - an excruciating success”  ✭✭✭✭  The Telegraph

Praise for the BRITNEY pilot:

“The first time a brain tumour has ever been funny: It was ferociously funny, heartbreaking, and honest, and it’s the kind of show that makes me glad BBC Three is returning to television in February – BRITNEY deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.” - The i

“Much has been written about the rise of “sadcoms” — comedies that aren’t actually very funny, being more about the reality of emotional pain. Think FLEABAG or AFTER LIFE. BRITNEY seemed more of a “joycom”, despite revealing a premise potentially as bleak as any weepie of the week. Quite an achievement, and not what you might expect from a brief pilot that started out like a kooky rom-com about girly BFFs. Cue hyperreal visual flourishes and a tone switching on a sixpence between goofy joy and a sense of dread — and suddenly it was over, having fully earned a burning itch to find out what happened next. All in 20 minutes flat, which is going some.” - The Times

“Turning a brain tumour diagnosis into the stuff of comedy is no mean feat.. It’s sharp, funny and understatedly inspiring but so far it's only a pilot. It surely deserves a full series.” - Metro

“The episode ends on a stark yet strangely feelgood cliffhanger. Will more episodes be made? Well, if the BBC doesn't pick this up for a series it's them that needs their heads examined.” - Beyond the Joke

“The script is awash with quirks that give the programme a distinctive, sparky atmosphere well matched to the pair’s friendship… Clive and Robertson’s performances and chemistry are as a natural as you could hope, and so utterly endearing, the viewer feels right there with them when the awful news come. But the warmth – and the silliness – gives hope that everything might be all right despite it all.  Yet, sadly, there isn’t a full series ready to binge, as this tender, witty pilot leaves you yearning to find out how the pair deal with the biggest of life’s issues through their love and humour.” - Chortle