Mike Leigh
Biography
Mike Leigh, born on 20 February 1943 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, is a British male writer and director whose career spans film, television and theatre. He studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and continued his education at the Camberwell School of Art and the Central School of Art and Design. Leigh began working as a theatre director and playwright in the mid‑1960s and, during the 1970s and 1980s, divided his efforts between stage productions and making films for BBC Television, many noted for a gritty “kitchen sink realism” style. His notable directing credits include the films Life Is Sweet (1990), Career Girls (1997), Topsy Turvy (1999) and All or Nothing (2002). He is listed on TMDB with 77 known directing credits and is also known as 마이크 리 and Michael Leigh.
Career overview
Mike Leigh is a British writer and director of film and theatre. He began his career as a theatre director and playwright in the mid 1960s. His work in the 1970s and 1980s transitioned between theatre and television, with many of his films for BBC Television characterized by a gritty "kitchen sink realism" style.
Leigh's career has spanned multiple genres, including comedy-drama and biographical drama. His notable films include Life is Sweet, Career Girls, Topsy Turvy, and All or Nothing. These works showcase his versatility as a director and his ability to tackle a range of subjects.
Throughout his career, Mike Leigh has directed numerous projects, with a total of 77 known credits. His work has been recognized for its gritty realism and nuanced portrayals of working-class life. Leigh's contributions to British film and theatre have been significant, and his body of work continues to be celebrated for its thought-provoking and emotionally resonant storytelling.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
117 titles- Tender Loving Care (2026) Director
- Tender Loving Care (2026) Writer
- Humphrey Jennings: The Man Who Listened to Britain (2025) as Self
- Citizen B (2025) as Self
- Hard Truths (2024) Director
- Hard Truths (2024) Writer
- Her Name Was Moviola (2024) as Self
- Cannes Uncut (2023) as Self
- Remembers… (2022) as Self
- Reel Britannia (2022) as Self
- Why Are We (Not) Creative? (2021) as Self
- Drama Out of a Crisis: A Celebration of Play for Today (2020) as Self – Filmmaker
- Peterloo (2018) Director
- Peterloo (2018) Writer
- Scenes from A Separation (2018) as Self
- Alan Clarke: Out of His Own Light (2016) as Self
- The Pirates of Penzance (2015) Production Director
- Mr. Turner (2014) Director
- Mr. Turner (2014) Writer
- The One and Only Mike Leigh (2014) as Self
- What Is Cinema? (2013) as Self
- Square (2012) as Self
- A Running Jump (2012) Director
- A Running Jump (2012) Writer
- In Confidence (2010)
- Another Year (2010) Director
- Another Year (2010) Writer
- Vittorio D. (2009) as Self
- Looking for Truffaut (2009) as Self
- The Party (2009) Writer
- Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) Director
- Happy-Go-Lucky (2008) Writer
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007) as Self
- British Film Forever (2007)
- All About 'Abigail's Party' (2007) as Self
- The One Show (2006) as Self - Guest
- The One Show (2006) as Self
- Le Cercle (2005)
- The Culture Show (2004) as Self
- Vera Drake (2004) Director
- Vera Drake (2004) Writer
- Cinema16: British Short Films (2003) as Self - Commentary, The Short & Curlies (voice)
- Cinema16: British Short Films (2003) Director
- All or Nothing (2002) Writer
- All or Nothing (2002) Director
- Welcome to Hollywood (2000) as Mike Leigh
- Mike Leigh: The Conversation (2000) as Self - Interviewee
- Topsy-Turvy (1999) Director
- Topsy-Turvy (1999) Writer
- Inside the Golden Statue (1998) as Self
- Career Girls (1997) Director
- Career Girls (1997) Writer
- Secrets & Lies (1996) Writer
- Secrets & Lies (1996) Director
- Naked (1993) Director
- Naked (1993) Writer
- Two Mikes Don't Make a Wright (1993) Director
- A Sense of History (1992) Director
- Life Is Sweet (1991) Director
- Life Is Sweet (1991) Writer
- High Hopes (1989) Director
- High Hopes (1989) Writer
- The Short & Curlies (1987) Director
- The Short & Curlies (1987) Writer
- Four Days in July (1984) Director
- Four Days in July (1984) Writer
- Meantime (1983) Director
- Meantime (1983) Writer
- Old Chums (1982) Director
- Old Chums (1982) Writer
- Home Sweet Home (1982) Director
- Home Sweet Home (1982) Writer
- Mike Leigh: Making Plays (1982) as Self
- Five-Minute Films (1982) Director
- Five-Minute Films (1982) Writer
- Five-Minute Films (1982) Creator
- A Light Snack (1982) Director
- A Light Snack (1982) Writer
- Probation (1982) Director
- Probation (1982) Writer
- Afternoon (1982) Director
- Afternoon (1982) Writer
- The Birth of the Goalie of the 2001 F.A. Cup Final (1982) Director
- The Birth of the Goalie of the 2001 F.A. Cup Final (1982) Writer
- Grown-Ups (1980) Director
- Grown-Ups (1980) Writer
- Who's Who (1979) Director
- Who's Who (1979) Writer
- Abigail's Party (1977) Director
- Abigail's Party (1977) Writer
- The Kiss of Death (1977) Director
- The Kiss of Death (1977) Writer
- Fast Hands (1976) Title Designer
- Shuttlecock (1976) Title Designer
- Nuts in May (1976) Director
- Nuts in May (1976) Writer
- The Permissive Society (1975) Director
- The Permissive Society (1975) Writer
- Playhouse (1974) Director
- Playhouse (1974) Writer
- Second City Firsts (1973) Director
- Second City Firsts (1973) Writer
- A Mug's Game? (1973) Director
- A Mug's Game? (1973) Writer
- Hard Labour (1973) Director
- Hard Labour (1973) Writer
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Bleak Moments (1971) Director
- Bleak Moments (1971) Writer
- Play for Today (1970) Director
- Play for Today (1970) Writer
- Omnibus (1967) as Self
- Two Left Feet (1963) as Jim
- West 11 (1963)
- Maigret (1960)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Untitled 13
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Mike Leigh best known for?
Mike Leigh is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Remembers… (2022), Mr. Turner (2014), Mr. Turner (2014), Square (2012).
When and where was Mike Leigh born?
Mike Leigh was born on February 20, 1943 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, UK.
How many credits does Mike Leigh have?
Mike Leigh has accumulated over 117 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2026.
What is Mike Leigh's background in cinema and television?
Mike Leigh, born on 20 February 1943 in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, is a British male writer and director whose career spans film, television and theatre. He studied theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and continued his education at the Camberwell School of Art and the Central School of Art and Desig...
Mike Leigh by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Omnibus (1967) as Self — aged about 24
- Maigret (1960) — aged about 17
- Remembers… (2022) as Self — aged about 79
- The Oscars (1953) as Self — aged about 10
- The Culture Show (2004) as Self — aged about 61
- Film '72 (1971) as Self — aged about 28
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