Jez Butterworth
Biography
Jez Butterworth is a British playwright, screenwriter and film director born in March 1969 in London, England. He began his career with the darkly comic crime drama Mojo in 1995, which received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Butterworth’s subsequent work includes Jerusalem, often cited as the greatest British play of the 21st century, and The Ferryman (2017), a drama about a former IRA volunteer set during the Troubles that won the Olivier Award for Best New Play. His achievements have been recognised with a Tony Award and two additional Laurence Olivier Awards. He is credited on thirty writing projects in film and television.
Career overview
Jez Butterworth, a British writer born in March 1969 in London, England, has built a reputation for blending myth, folklore and realism in contemporary theatre. His early work includes the darkly comic crime drama Mojo (1995), which earned the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Butterworth’s reputation grew with Jerusalem, a play frequently described as the greatest British play of the 21st century, and continued with The Ferryman (2017), a drama set during the Troubles that won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play. In addition to his stage successes, he has been recognised with a Tony Award and a second Laurence Olivier Award, underscoring his impact across both British and international stages.
Beyond the theatre, Butterworth’s writing credits extend to film and television, with thirty known credits listed on the Movie Database. His work is noted for its distinctive voice and the ability to intertwine gritty realism with larger mythic themes, a combination that has earned him critical acclaim and a prominent place among contemporary playwrights and screenwriters.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
41 titles- The Beatles: John (2028) Writer
- The Beatles: Paul (2028) Writer
- The Beatles: George (2028) Writer
- The Beatles: Ringo (2028) Writer
- Digger (2026) Executive Producer
- MobLand (2025) Executive Producer
- MobLand (2025) Writer
- Snow White (2025) Additional Writing
- The Agency (2024) Executive Producer
- The Agency (2024) Teleplay
- The Agency (2024) Creator
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) Writer
- Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford (2023) as Self
- Mammals (2022) Executive Producer
- Mammals (2022) Creator
- Flag Day (2021) Screenplay
- Ford v Ferrari (2019) Screenplay
- Britannia (2018) Screenplay
- Britannia (2018) Creator
- Spectre (2015) Screenplay
- Black Mass (2015) Screenplay
- Edge of Tomorrow (2014) Screenplay
- Get On Up (2014) Screenplay
- Get On Up (2014) Executive Producer
- Fair Game (2010) Screenplay
- Fair Game (2010) Producer
- Huge (2010) Theatre Play
- Digital Theatre: Parlour Song (2009) Writer
- The Last Legion (2007) Screenplay
- Birthday Girl (2001) Director
- Birthday Girl (2001) Writer
- Mojo (1997) Director
- Mojo (1997) Screenplay
- Mojo (1997) Theatre Play
- Out Of My Head (1995) Writer
- Chandler & Co (1994) as Adam Harper
- Lethal Weapon 5 Screenplay
- Blood Runs Coal Writer
- Laird Executive Producer
- Laird Creator
- The Silence Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jez Butterworth best known for?
Jez Butterworth is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Digger (2026), MobLand (2025), MobLand (2025), Snow White (2025).
When and where was Jez Butterworth born?
Jez Butterworth was born on March 1, 1969 in London, England, UK.
How many credits does Jez Butterworth have?
Jez Butterworth has accumulated over 41 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1994 to 2028.
What is Jez Butterworth's background in cinema and television?
Jez Butterworth is a British playwright, screenwriter and film director born in March 1969 in London, England. He began his career with the darkly comic crime drama Mojo in 1995, which received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Butterworth’s subsequent work includes Jerusalem, often cited as the greatest ...