Jesse Armstrong

Jesse Armstrong
Born	Jesse David Armstrong (1970-12-13) 13 December 1970 (age 53) Oswestry, Shropshire, England
Education	University of Manchester
Occupation(s)	Screenwriter, producer
Years active	2000–present
Children	2

Jesse David Armstrong (born 13 December 1970) is a British screenwriter and producer. He is known for writing for a string of several critically acclaimed British comedy series as well as satirical dramas. He has received numerous accolades including a

He first gained prominence co-creating the British comedy shows Peep Show (2003–2015) and Fresh Meat (2011–2016) with his writing partner Sam Bain. During this time he wrote for the political satire series The Thick of It (2005–2009) and co-wrote In the Loop (2009), the latter of which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also co-wrote the films Four Lions (2010), and Downhill (2020).

He gained acclaim for creating the HBO comedy-drama series Succession (2018–2023) earning four consecutive wins of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for writing episodes of the first, second, third and fourth seasons of Succession.

Early life and education

Armstrong was born in Oswestry in Shropshire.^[1] on 13 December 1970.^[2] His father was a further education teacher who became a crime novelist in the 1990s, while his mother worked in nursery schools. He attended a comprehensive school in Oswestry before studying American Studies at the University of Manchester, spending a year abroad in Massachusetts.^[3] In 1995, he began to work as a researcher for the Labour MP Doug Henderson, initially without payment.^[4] At the same time, he acted as a consultant on politics for Rory Bremner's production company. He subsequently worked as a painter and decorator.^[5]

Career

2000–2015: Peep Show and The Thick of It

Armstrong met his writing partner Sam Bain while at the University of Manchester,^[6] living with him in his final year. They began writing together after they graduated, when they had both moved to London.^[5] At the beginning of their writing career, Armstrong and Bain wrote for the Channel 4 sketch show Smack the Pony and the children's shows The Queen's Nose and My Parents Are Aliens.^[7] They went on to create and write Peep Show, BBC One sitcom The Old Guys, and Channel 4 comedy dramas Fresh Meat and Babylon. They also wrote for the BBC Radio 4 sketch show That Mitchell and Webb Sound, starring Peep Show's two main actors David Mitchell and Robert Webb, and its BBC Two adaptation That Mitchell and Webb Look. Peep Show has won several writing awards,^[8] including a BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy in 2008.^[9]

To date, Armstrong and Bain have written two films together – the 2007 comedy

In 2010 it was reported that Armstrong was developing a biopic of the Republican Party strategist Lee Atwater, with Chris Henchy and Adam McKay.^[19][20] In October 2011 it was reported that Armstrong's film adaptation of Richard DiLello's book The Longest Cocktail Party, charting the founding of The Beatles' record company Apple Records and the recording of their final album Let It Be,^[21] was to be directed by Michael Winterbottom.^[22] In February 2016 it was reported that Winterbottom had withdrawn from the project and the film's future was uncertain.^{[citation needed]}

Armstrong wrote one episode of Charlie Brooker's anthology series Black Mirror, entitled "The Entire History of You". Robert Downey Jr. has since bought the rights to adapt the script for a forthcoming film.^[23] Armstrong's first novel, Love, Sex and Other Foreign Policy Goals, was released in April 2015.^[24]

2017–2024: Succession and acclaim

In 2017, Armstrong's American drama series Succession, executive produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, was picked up to series by HBO.^[25] The series starred Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Matthew Macfadyen and Brian Cox. The series ran from 2018 to 2023 and received numerous accolades including three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series. During this time he co-wrote the screenplay for the comedy-drama film Downhill with Jim Rash and Nat Faxon. The film was based off the 2014 Ruben Östlund film Force Majeure and starred Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Personal life

Armstrong is married and has two children. His wife works for the National Health Service.^[5] He supports Fulham FC football club.^[26]

Filmography

Film

Television

Other credits

Awards and nominations

Bibliography

Fiction

• Armstrong, Jesse (2015). Love, Sex and Other Foreign Policy Goals. Vintage.
  ISBN 9780399184208
  .