Simon Blackwell
Simon Blackwell is an Oscar-nominated and two-time Emmy-winning screenwriter and showrunner.
The critically lauded FX Networks and Sky comedy Breeders, which Simon co-created with Martin Freeman and Chris Addison, recently concluded to outstanding reviews.
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The critically lauded FX Networks and Sky comedy Breeders, which Simon co-created with Martin Freeman and Chris Addison, recently concluded to outstanding reviews. With Chris, he had previously created the Sky romantic comedy Trying Again.
Season 2 of the equally acclaimed Channel 4 and Sundance sitcom Back, which Simon created for David Mitchell and Robert Webb, aired to great success.
2019 saw the release of the feature film The Personal History of David Copperfield, which Simon co-wrote with long-time collaborator Armando Iannucci. The movie has received exceptional reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Its script won Simon and Armando the Best Screenplay award at British Independent Film Awards and the Writers Guild Great Britain Awards.
Simon was a chief writer on all four series of Armando's double BAFTA-winning political sitcom The Thick Of It and co-wrote its spin-off film In The Loop, which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Also with Armando, Simon co-wrote the pilot episode of the HBO comedy Veep and served as a writer and Executive Producer on the subsequent four seasons. For this, he won two Primetime Emmy Awards, for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series. Simon's Veep scripts also earned him two Writers Guild of America Awards. Simon is an Executive Producer on Armando's latest HBO project, Avenue 5.
Simon wrote for Chris Morris's 2010 black comedy film Four Lions alongside Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain. He had previously collaborated with them on the cult Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show and BBC One's The Old Guys and has since written with Jesse on the latter's Emmy-winning HBO drama Succession.
Television
| Breeders (Seasons 1 - 4) Writer and Co-creator | Breeders (Seasons 1 - 4) - Writer and Co-creator | FX & BBC | 2020 — 2023 |
| Avenue 5 (Seasons 1 & 2) Writer and Executive Producer | Avenue 5 (Seasons 1 & 2) - Writer and Executive Producer | HBO | 2020 — 2022 |
| Succession Consultant | Succession - Consultant | 2018 | |
| Back Writer / Executive Producer | Back - Writer / Executive Producer | 2017 — 2021 | |
| Trying Again Writer/Creator | Trying Again - Writer/Creator | Avalon for Sky | 2014 |
| Veep Writer / Executive Producer | Veep - Writer / Executive Producer | HBO | 2012 — 2015 |
| The Old Guys Writer | The Old Guys - Writer | BBC 1 | 2009 — 2010 |
| Peep Show Writer | Peep Show - Writer | Objective/Channel 4 | 2008 — 2012 |
| Armstrong and Miller Writer | Armstrong and Miller - Writer | BBC 1/Toff | 2008 — 2010 |
| Ladies & Gentlemen Writer | Ladies & Gentlemen - Writer | TalkBack | 2005 — 2015 |
| The Thick Of It Writer | The Thick Of It - Writer | BBC 4/BBC 2 | 2005 — 2012 |
| The All Star Comedy Show Writer | The All Star Comedy Show - Writer | ITV 1 | 2004 |
| Alistair McGowan's Big Impression & World Cup Writer | Alistair McGowan's Big Impression & World Cup - Writer | BBC 1 | 2004 |
| Sven & Nancy's Big Impression Writer | Sven & Nancy's Big Impression - Writer | BBC 1 | 2003 |
| The Sketch Show Writer | The Sketch Show - Writer | ITV | 2002 — 2004 |
| Have I Got News For You Writer | Have I Got News For You - Writer | BBC 1 | 2002 — 2008 |
| Dead Ringers Writer | Dead Ringers - Writer | BBC 2 | 2001 — 2003 |
| V Graham Norton Writer | V Graham Norton - Writer | Channel 4 | 2001 |
| Bounty Hamster Writer | Bounty Hamster - Writer | 2000 | |
| The Kumars At No.42 Writer | The Kumars At No.42 - Writer | BBC 2 | 2000 — 2004 |
| Bremner, Bird and Fortune Writer | Bremner, Bird and Fortune - Writer | Channel 4 | 2000 |
| The MTV Europe Music Awards Writer | The MTV Europe Music Awards - Writer | ITV | 1999 — 2000 |
| The 11 O'Clock Show Writer | The 11 O'Clock Show - Writer | Channel 4 | 1998 — 2001 |
| Rory Bremner...Who Else? Writer | Rory Bremner...Who Else? - Writer | Channel 4 | 1998 |
Film
| The Personal History of David Copperfield Writer and Executive Producer | The Personal History of David Copperfield - Writer and Executive Producer | 2019 | |
| Four Lions Writer - Additional Material | Four Lions - Writer - Additional Material | Chris Morris | 2010 |
| In The Loop Writer | In The Loop - Writer | Armando Iannucci | 2009 |
Awards
| Primetime Emmy Awards Winner | Primetime Emmy Awards - Winner | Outstanding Comedy Series (VEEP) | 2015 |
| Primetime Emmy Awards Winner | Primetime Emmy Awards - Winner | Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (VEEP) | 2015 |
| Writers Guild of America Best Comedy Series (Veep) | Writers Guild of America - Best Comedy Series (Veep) | 2014 | |
| Writers Guild of America Nomination for WGA Award TV | Writers Guild of America - Nomination for WGA Award TV | Veep | 2013 |
| Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series | Emmy - Nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series | Veep | 2012 |
| Primetime Emmy Nomination for Casting for a Comedy Series | Primetime Emmy - Nomination for Casting for a Comedy Series | Veep | 2012 |
| Television Critics Associaton Awards Nomination Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Television Critics Associaton Awards - Nomination Outstanding Achievement in Comedy | Veep | 2012 |
| Evening Standard Film Awards | Evening Standard Film Awards - | 2010 | |
| British Independent Film Award | British Independent Film Award - | 2010 | |
| Best Sitcom BAFTA The Thick Of It | Best Sitcom BAFTA - The Thick Of It | 2010 | |
| Best Comedy BAFTA Armstrong and Miller | Best Comedy BAFTA - Armstrong and Miller | 2010 | |
| Empire Awards Best Comedy (In The Loop) | Empire Awards - Best Comedy (In The Loop) | 2010 | |
| Nominated for an Oscar Adapted Screenplay (In The Loop) | Nominated for an Oscar - Adapted Screenplay (In The Loop) | 2010 | |
| London Film Critics' Circle Screenwriter Of The Year (In The Loop) | London Film Critics' Circle - Screenwriter Of The Year (In The Loop) | 2010 | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | New York Film Critics Circle - | 2009 | |
| Athens International Film Festival | Athens International Film Festival - | 2009 | |
| Nominated for two BAFTAS In The Loop | Nominated for two BAFTAS - In The Loop | 2009 — 2010 | |
| British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film (In The Loop) | British Comedy Awards - Best Comedy Film (In The Loop) | 2009 | |
| Chlotrudis Awards Best Original Screenplay (In The Loop) | Chlotrudis Awards - Best Original Screenplay (In The Loop) | 2009 | |
| BAFTA Scotland Best Writing in Film/Television (In The Loop) | BAFTA Scotland - Best Writing in Film/Television (In The Loop) | 2009 | |
| Royal Television Society Award Best Writing (The Thick Of It) | Royal Television Society Award - Best Writing (The Thick Of It) | 2009 | |
| National Board Of Review Top Ten Independent Films (In The Loop) | National Board Of Review - Top Ten Independent Films (In The Loop) | 2009 | |
| Chlotrudis Awards Best Supporting Actor/Best Ensemble (In The Loop) | Chlotrudis Awards - Best Supporting Actor/Best Ensemble (In The Loop) | 2009 | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Runner-Up, Best Screenplay (In The Loop) | Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Runner-Up, Best Screenplay (In The Loop) | 2009 | |
| BAFTA Best Sitcom (The Thick Of It) | BAFTA - Best Sitcom (The Thick Of It) | 2006 | |
| Broadcast Award Best New Programme (The Thick Of It) | Broadcast Award - Best New Programme (The Thick Of It) | 2006 | |
| British Comedy Award Best New Comedy (The Thick Of It) | British Comedy Award - Best New Comedy (The Thick Of It) | 2006 | |
| BAFTA Best Comedy (The Sketch Show) | BAFTA - Best Comedy (The Sketch Show) | 2003 | |
| Sony Awards Sony Gold Winner (Dead Ringers) | Sony Awards - Sony Gold Winner (Dead Ringers) | 2001 | |
| Sony Awards Sony Silver Winner (The Sunday Format) | Sony Awards - Sony Silver Winner (The Sunday Format) | 2000 |
Radio
| The Very World Of Milton Jones Writer | The Very World Of Milton Jones - Writer | BBC Radio 4 | 2002 |
| Dead Ringers (series 1 - 6) Writer | Dead Ringers (series 1 - 6) - Writer | BBC Radio 4 | 2001 — 2003 |
| The Way It Is Writer | The Way It Is - Writer | BBC Radio 4 | 2000 — 2004 |
| The Sunday Format Writer | The Sunday Format - Writer | BBC Radio 4 | 2000 — 2002 |
| Booked! Writer | Booked! - Writer | BBC Radio 4 | 1998 |
| Week Ending Writer | Week Ending - Writer | BBC Radio 4 | 1996 — 1999 |
| The News Huddlines Writer | The News Huddlines - Writer | BBC Radio 2 | 1996 — 1999 |
News
Simon Blackwell and Armando Iannucci Awarded at Writers' Guild Awards 15th February 2022 Simon Blackwell and Armando Iannucci have been awarded 'Best Screenplay' award at the Writers' Guild of Great Britian Awards for their work on 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' |
'Avenue 5' Renewed for season 2 at HBO 24th March 2020 PBJ Management are delighted with the news that a second series of Armando Iannuci's Sci-Fi comedy 'Avenue 5' has been ordered by HBO |
The Personal History Of David Copperfield takes 5 awards at BIFAs 2nd December 2019 The British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) proved to be extremely successful for PBJ's Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell |
Succession Nominated for Best Drama Series and Best New Series in 2019 Writers Guild Awards 11th December 2018 The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing during 2018 |
'David Copperfield' is the talk of Cannes 17th May 2018 Armando Iannucci's forthcoming feature, 'The Personal History of David Copperfield' has caused significant buzz at the Cannes film festival, with Film4 coming on board as a co-financiar with Levantine films, and Lionsgate snapping up the UK rights |
British Comedy Guide Awards 2017 29th January 2018 The British Comedy Guide (comedy |
Rave reviews for Simon Blackwell's 'Back' 7th September 2017 Simon Blackwell's new TV series, 'Back', starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, has debuted on Channel 4 and has received some fantastic reviews: "It is glorious, artful, beautifully timed, The Thick Of It filth |
Simon Blackwell to write 'Back' for Channel 4 17th May 2017 Simon Blackwell is due to return to Channel 4, penning the new comedy 'Back' which will star David Mitchell and Robert Webb |
Another win for Veep at Writers Guild Awards 2016 19th January 2016 Veep sealed yet another win after receiving the award for Best TV Situational Comedy at the 2016 Writers' Guild Awards |
VEEP wins big at last night's Primetime Emmy Awards 21st September 2015 VEEP bagged 5 Emmy awards at last night's 2015 Primetime Emmy Awards |
VEEP picks up 9 nominations in this year's EMMYS 24th July 2015 A special congratulations are in order for our very own Simon Blackwell & Armand Iannucci for the nomination of 'Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series' on our very own HBO's political comedy series VEEP |
30th March 2015 The BBC have announced that Armando Ianucci and Simon Blackwell are set to make a film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield |
3rd March 2014 Simon Blackwell's 'Trying Again' is an original eight part comedy series coming soon to Sky Living HD |
3rd February 2014 Saturday saw the 66th annual Writers Guild of America Awards |
7th October 2013 Armando Iannucci's award winning US political satire will return to British screens on October 16th at 10:30 on Sky Atlantic |
'TRYING AGAIN' - NEW sitcom coming soon! 31st January 2013 TRYING AGAIN is a new sitcom from Oscar-nominated writer Simon Blackwell working with Chris Addison whom he worked with on 'The Thick of It' and 'Veep' |
PBJ nominations at The British Comedy Awards 7th December 2012 Cardinal Burns have been nominated for three awards - Breakthrough Act, New Comedy Programme and Best Sketch Show |
VEEP nominated for Writer's Guild Award 7th December 2012 Written by Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell and co |
Veep nominated for Emmy Awards! 2nd August 2012 Huge congratulations to Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell for their Emmy nominations in the hugely popular Veep series |
Veep debuts on HBO to great reviews and viewing figures 24th April 2012 Veep, the new sitcom written and produced by Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell debuted on HBO this week to great reviews and viewing figures |
Simon Blackwell wins Writers' Guild Best TV Comedy Award. 17th November 2011 Simon, along with Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong won the WGGB Award for Best Television Comedy for Channel 4's Peep Show |
Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell write Veep for HBO 25th February 2011 Veep is a comedy pilot starring Julia Louis Dreyfus and Anna Chlumsky, created and written by Armando and Simon, and directed by Armando |
Writers' Guild Of Great Britain Awards 2010 18th October 2010 Among the nominees for this year's WGGB Awards are Chris Morris and Simon Blackwell for Best Original Screenplay for Four Lions; Mark Gatiss for Dr Who in the Best Drama Series category; Simon Blackwell and Armando Iannucci for Best Comedy Series for The Thick Of It, and a third nomination for Simon Blackwell in the same category for Peep Show |
Armando Iannucci nominated for an Academy Award! 2nd February 2010 Congratulations to Armando Iannucci and fellow writers Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell and Tony Roche |
IN THE LOOP Nominated for 2 BAFTA's 21st January 2010 IN THE LOOP has been nominated in two categories at the 2010 BAFTA's |
British Independent Film Award for Armando Iannucci 8th December 2009 IN THE LOOP continues its extraordinary success |