Simon Farnaby

Acting

Simon Farnaby

Born

1973-04-02 (53)

Place of birth

Yorkshire, England, UK

Known for

Acting

Credits

59 titles

Simon Farnaby (born 2 April 1973) is an English actor, comedian, children's entertainer, writer and singer. He is best known for his work with the Them There collective, where he has written and starred in productions including the sketch show Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts, as well as writing for film.  Farnaby earned BAFTA nominations for his co-writing of Paddington 2, both for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best British Film, and was the winner of the 2023 Television BAFTA for memorable TV moment. In 2023, he co-wrote and appeared in Wonka, a film which serves as a prequel to the Roald Dahl novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, exploring Willy Wonka's origins. Description a…

Known for

Coronation Street poster
5.3

The residents of Coronation Street are ordinary, working-class people, and the show follows them through regular social and family interactions at home, in the workplace, and in their local pub, the Rovers Return Inn. Britain's longest-running soap.

Coronation Street

1960

Not Going Out poster
7.5

Lee is a childish northerner who lives in a fancy penthouse apartment in London who goes through a variety of jobs such as a janitor and ice cream man, as well as attempting relationships with female flatmates. His best mate, Daily Mail reading, middle-class citizen Tim is always there to stop Lee from getting in trouble, or not? Mayhem is never far away with cleaner Barbara who has never done an honest day's work in her life.

Not Going Out

2006

Horrible Histories poster
8.0

Based on the best-selling children's books and liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, a group of British comedians offer an anarchic and unconventional take on some of history's most gruesome and funny moments, with topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians and the Romans, among others.

Horrible Histories

2009

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story poster
7.5

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

2016

Paddington in Peru poster
6.8

Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Paddington in Peru

2024

Ghosts poster
7.9

A cash-strapped young couple inherits a grand country house, only to find it is both falling apart and teeming with the ghosts of former inhabitants.

Ghosts

2019

Film credits

2020s · 7 titles

Paddington in Peru poster
6.8

Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Paddington in Peru

2024

Wonka poster
7.0

Willy Wonka – chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time – is proof that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.

Wonka

2023

The Magic Faraway Tree poster
6.7

A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They're transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.

The Magic Faraway Tree

2026

The Phantom of the Open poster
6.8

Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.

The Phantom of the Open

2022

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House poster
NR

It's a matter of life and death for Alison, Mike, Mia and the Ghosts.

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House

2026

An A to Z of Paddington poster
NR

Dive deep into the lore and influence of Paddington in this feel-good documentary composed of beautiful illustrations and interviews with famous fans.

An A to Z of Paddington

2024

Paddington Meets The Queen poster
7.5

Paddington learns that The Queen also loves marmalade sandwiches. He shows Her Majesty where he hides his sandwiches, and The Queen also shows where she keeps hers.

Paddington Meets The Queen

2022

2010s · 14 titles

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story poster
7.5

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

2016

Christopher Robin poster
7.3

Christopher Robin, the boy who had countless adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood, has grown up and lost his way. Now it’s up to his spirited and loveable stuffed animals, Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and the rest of the gang, to rekindle their friendship and remind him of endless days of childlike wonder and make-believe, when doing nothing was the very best something.

Christopher Robin

2018

Paddington poster
7.1

A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.

Paddington

2014

Paddington 2 poster
7.5

Paddington, now happily settled with the Browns, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy, but it is stolen.

Paddington 2

2017

Your Highness poster
5.3

A fantasy movie about an arrogant, lazy prince and his more heroic brother who must complete a quest in order to save their father's kingdom.

Your Highness

2011

Burke & Hare poster
6.1

Two 19th-century opportunists become serial killers so that they can maintain their profitable business supplying cadavers to an anatomist.

Burke & Hare

2010

All Stars poster
5.5

Two kids look to throw an ambitious dance show in order to save their struggling youth center.

All Stars

2013

Mindhorn poster
6.1

A washed up actor best known for playing the title character in the 1980s detective show "Mindhorn" must work with the police when a serial killer says that he will only speak with Detective Mindhorn, whom he believes to be real.

Mindhorn

2016

Bill poster
6.8

What really happened during Shakespeare's 'Lost Years'? Hopeless lute player Bill Shakespeare leaves his home to follow his dream.

Bill

2015

Horrible Histories’ Big Prom Party poster
NR

Horrible Histories Prom was a free family concert showcasing the original songs from the British television series Horrible Histories, along with classical music. It was held on 30 July 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and was that year's children's entry in the BBC's annual Proms series.

Horrible Histories’ Big Prom Party

2011

No artwork available
NR

Behind the scenes documentary featured on Bunny and the Bull (2009) Blu-ray special features.

Behind the Scenes - Bunny and the Bull

2011

The Last Summer on Earth poster
NR

Feel the tension. Feel the heat. Listen to the beat! Join the Ginger Goofball in 50s America as he struggles with love, friendship, and the rebelliousness of youth.

The Last Summer on Earth

2013

Richard III: The Unseen Story poster
6.0

In this special follow-up programme, the only television team with access to the dig and the scientific tests on the skeleton uses unseen footage and conducts two days of additional interviews to tell this extraordinary forensic detective story in even greater scientific and archaeological detail.

Richard III: The Unseen Story

2013

Richard III: The King in the Car Park poster
7.0

This documentary looks at the search for the remains of King Richard III of England (1452-1485). After being killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field (August 22, 1485), his remains were taken to Leicester and it was believed that he was buried at Greyfriars Church. The church no longer exists and its remains were now believed to be under a car park. Phillipa Langley of the Richard III Society convinced archaeologists at the University of Leicester to lead a dig and surprisingly, as it turned out, the first skeleton they found was subsequently proven to be that of the King through DNA tests which showed a match to Canadian Michael Ibsen, a direct descendant of Richard III's sister.

Richard III: The King in the Car Park

2013

2000s · 7 titles

Series credits

Coronation Street poster
5.3

The residents of Coronation Street are ordinary, working-class people, and the show follows them through regular social and family interactions at home, in the workplace, and in their local pub, the Rovers Return Inn. Britain's longest-running soap.

Coronation Street

1960

Not Going Out poster
7.5

Lee is a childish northerner who lives in a fancy penthouse apartment in London who goes through a variety of jobs such as a janitor and ice cream man, as well as attempting relationships with female flatmates. His best mate, Daily Mail reading, middle-class citizen Tim is always there to stop Lee from getting in trouble, or not? Mayhem is never far away with cleaner Barbara who has never done an honest day's work in her life.

Not Going Out

2006

Horrible Histories poster
8.0

Based on the best-selling children's books and liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, a group of British comedians offer an anarchic and unconventional take on some of history's most gruesome and funny moments, with topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians and the Romans, among others.

Horrible Histories

2009

Horrible Histories poster
8.0

Based on the best-selling children's books and liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, a group of British comedians offer an anarchic and unconventional take on some of history's most gruesome and funny moments, with topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians and the Romans, among others.

Horrible Histories

2009

Ghosts poster
7.9

A cash-strapped young couple inherits a grand country house, only to find it is both falling apart and teeming with the ghosts of former inhabitants.

Ghosts

2019

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin poster
6.4

Legendary highwayman Dick Turpin sets out on a series of wildly absurd escapades when he's made the reluctant leader of a band of outlaws—and tasked with outwitting utterly corrupt lawman Jonathan Wilde.

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin

2024

M.I. High poster
6.1

A team of undercover teenage spies working for the fictional British secret intelligence agency MI9 who have to balance their school life with their jobs as secret agents.

M.I. High

2007

The Mighty Boosh poster
7.6

A British comic fantasy containing humour and pop-culture references. Episodes often featured elaborate musical numbers in different genres, such as electro, heavy metal, funk, and rap. The show has been known for popularising a style called "crimping"; short acappella songs which are present throughout all three series.

The Mighty Boosh

2004

The Mighty Boosh poster
7.6

A British comic fantasy containing humour and pop-culture references. Episodes often featured elaborate musical numbers in different genres, such as electro, heavy metal, funk, and rap. The show has been known for popularising a style called "crimping"; short acappella songs which are present throughout all three series.

The Mighty Boosh

2004

The Mighty Boosh poster
7.6

A British comic fantasy containing humour and pop-culture references. Episodes often featured elaborate musical numbers in different genres, such as electro, heavy metal, funk, and rap. The show has been known for popularising a style called "crimping"; short acappella songs which are present throughout all three series.

The Mighty Boosh

2004

Utopia poster
7.9

The Utopia Experiments is a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. When a group of strangers find themselves in possession of an original manuscript, their lives suddenly and brutally implode.

Utopia

2013

Detectorists poster
8.2

The lives of two eccentric metal detectorists, who spend their days plodding along ploughed tracks and open fields, hoping to disturb the tedium by unearthing the fortune of a lifetime.

Detectorists

2014

Jam and Jerusalem poster
7.2

The Women's Guild is an organisation in the small town of Clatterford St. Mary that aims to promote truth, justice, tolerance and fellowship. Or maybe it's just an excuse for good, old-fashioned gossip. Regardless, meetings feature discussions and visiting speakers. The Guild is the center of life in Clatterford, which has a good cross-section of people, local shops and a late-night convenience store.

Jam and Jerusalem

2006

Yonderland poster
7.3

A bored young mum steps through a portal and discovers a world of incompetent knights, monks who are incapable of lying, and a race of people intent on firing the cleverest amongst them into the sun.

Yonderland

2013

This Time with Alan Partridge poster
7.8

Alan is handed a career lifeline - the chance to stand in as co-host on This Time, a weekday magazine show. But can he capitalise on the opportunity?

This Time with Alan Partridge

2019

Crackanory poster
6.8

Crackanory is a storytelling television series aimed at adults, inspired by the popular children's series Jackanory. Each episode features two 15-minute tales narrated by contemporary comedians and actors, containing a mix of live action and animation and all read from the same oversized chair.

Crackanory

2013

The Persuasionists poster
5.0

A look at the lives of five overpaid and underworked employees at fictional advertising agency HHH&H.

The Persuasionists

2010

Angelo's poster
7.0

Angelo's is a sitcom created for Five and Paramount Comedy by Bwark Productions. It follows the ups and downs of everyday life in a central London greasy spoon café.

Angelo's

2007

Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy poster
7.1

Noel Fielding fronts this psychedelic character-based comedy show half filmed and half animated, with music provided by Kasabian's Sergio Pizzorno.

Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy

2012

Spoons poster
7.3

Spoons is a British sketch comedy programme produced by Endemol owned production company, Zeppotron for Channel 4 from 30 September 2005. The relationship themed show combined recent trends in sketch shows — dark content, strong language, and recurring catchphrases. It was not commissioned for a second series due to low ratings and poor reviews.

Spoons

2005

No artwork available
6.0

PR man Max Kelvin is hired by Prince Charles to change the Monarchy's image. His first task: to tackle the web of intrigue spun by the staff of Buckingham Palace under the lead of Lord Bermondsey.

The House of Windsor

1994

Blunder poster
6.0

Blunder was a Channel 4 comedy sketch series shown in the UK on E4 and repeated on Channel 4. No announcement of a second series has been made.

Blunder

2006

Behind the camera

Wonka poster
7.0

Willy Wonka – chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time – is proof that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.

Wonka

2023

The Magic Faraway Tree poster
6.7

A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They're transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.

The Magic Faraway Tree

2026

Paddington 2 poster
7.5

Paddington, now happily settled with the Browns, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy, but it is stolen.

Paddington 2

2017

The Phantom of the Open poster
6.8

Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.

The Phantom of the Open

2022

The Phantom of the Open poster
6.8

Maurice Flitcroft, a dreamer and unrelenting optimist, managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.

The Phantom of the Open

2022

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House poster
NR

It's a matter of life and death for Alison, Mike, Mia and the Ghosts.

Ghosts: The Possession of Button House

2026

Mindhorn poster
6.1

A washed up actor best known for playing the title character in the 1980s detective show "Mindhorn" must work with the police when a serial killer says that he will only speak with Detective Mindhorn, whom he believes to be real.

Mindhorn

2016

No artwork available
NR

Will not be specifically linked to Cinderella. Plot TBA.

Prince Charming

—

Wonka 2 poster
NR

The sequel to the 2023 film. Plot TBA.

Wonka 2

—