Sophie Willan
Biography
Sophie Willan is a British stand up comedian, actress, writer, presenter, and narrator born in Bolton, Lancashire, England on October 21, 1987. Willan was born to a heroin addicted mother and spent time in care during a difficult early life, and she later worked as an escort, a topic chronicled in her one-woman stand up show, Branded. She became the recipient of the first ever Caroline Aherne Bursary award from the BBC for 2017 to 2018 and won Edinburgh's Best Newcomer award for her stand up in 2017. Willan narrates the Channel 4 reality gameshow The Circle, appears as a regular in the BBC1 sitcom Still Open All Hours, and appeared in the festive comedy Click and Collect alongside Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry. She has also won three Baftas for her television sitcom Alma's Not Normal.
Career overview
Sophie Willan is an English actress, presenter, narrator, writer, author, and comedian who was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, on October 21, 1987. Her professional work encompasses television and comedy, and she is known for her contributions across various entertainment mediums. Among her television achievements, she has won three Baftas for her television sitcom Alma's Not Normal.
In addition to her work on Alma's Not Normal, Willan has built a diverse portfolio in broadcasting and performance. She is recognized for her roles as an actress, writer, and comedian, as well as her work as a narrator and presenter. Her official professional presence spans multiple creative titles, including producer and author, establishing her as a multi-talented figure in the British entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
31 titles- Small Prophets (2026) as Bev
- Unacceptable (2026) as Self - Guest
- Ludwig (2024) as Holly Pinder
- The Traitors: Uncloaked (2024) as Self
- Late Night Lycett (2023) as Self - Guest
- The Weakest Link (2021) as Self
- Time (2021) as Maeve Riley
- Blankety Blank (2021) as Self - Panellist
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2021) as Self - Guest Team Captain
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2021) as Self - Team Captain
- This Is My House (2021) as Narrator
- The Celebrity Circle for Stand Up to Cancer (2021) as Self - Narrator
- Michael McIntyre's The Wheel (2020) as Self - Expert
- Alma's Not Normal (2020) as Alma
- Alma's Not Normal (2020) Writer
- Alma's Not Normal (2020) Executive Producer
- Alma's Not Normal (2020) Creator
- Victoria Wood: The Secret List (2020) as Self
- RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019) as Self - Guest Judge
- The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer (2018) as Self - Guest
- The Circle (2018) as Self - Narrator
- Click & Collect (2018) as Jessie
- Richard Osman's House of Games (2017) as Self - Panellist
- The Russell Howard Hour (2017) as Self
- Taskmaster (2015) as Self
- Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (2014) as Self
- Still Open All Hours (2014) as Ruby
- The Last Leg (2013) as Self
- The Great British Sewing Bee (2013) as Self - Presenter
- The Great British Sewing Bee (2013) Presenter
- Comedy Central at the Comedy Store (2010) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Sophie Willan best known for?
Sophie Willan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Unacceptable (2026), Ludwig (2024), Time (2021), Michael McIntyre's The Wheel (2020).
When and where was Sophie Willan born?
Sophie Willan was born on October 21, 1987 in Bolton, Lancashire, England, UK .
How many credits does Sophie Willan have?
Sophie Willan has accumulated over 31 film and television credits across a career spanning from 2010 to 2026.
What is Sophie Willan's background in cinema and television?
Sophie Willan is a British stand up comedian, actress, writer, presenter, and narrator born in Bolton, Lancashire, England on October 21, 1987. Willan was born to a heroin addicted mother and spent time in care during a difficult early life, and she later worked as an escort, a topic chronicled in her one-woman stand u...