James Acaster

Acting

James Acaster

Born

1985-01-09 (41)

Place of birth

Kettering, England, UK

Known for

Acting

Credits

58 titles

James William Acaster is an English comedian originally from Kettering, Northamptonshire. He has performed for several consecutive years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has been nominated for Best Show five times. Acaster has appeared on several panel shows, including Mock the Week, Taskmaster, 8 out of 10 Cats, and Would I Lie to You?. He has a 2018 Netflix show entitled Repertoire, consisting of four hour-long stand-up comedy performances. In 2019, Acaster won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award, making him the first UK comedian to do so in nine years.

Known for

Late Night with Seth Meyers poster
5.1

Seth Meyers, who is "Saturday Night Live's" longest serving anchor on the show's wildly popular "Weekend Update," takes over as host of NBC's "Late Night" — home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy and the best in musical talent. As the Emmy Award-winning head writer for "SNL," Meyers has established a reputation for sharp wit and perfectly timed comedy, and has gained fame for his spot-on jokes and satire. Meyers takes his departure from "SNL" to his new post at "Late Night," as Jimmy Fallon moves to "The Tonight Show".

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014

Have I Got News for You poster
7.1

Hilarious, totally-irreverent, near-slanderous political quiz show, based mainly on news stories from the last week or so, that leaves no party, personality or action unscathed in pursuit of laughs.

Have I Got News for You

1990

QI poster
7.9

Comedy quiz show full of quirky facts, in which contestants are rewarded more if their answers are 'quite interesting'.

QI

2003

The Last Leg poster
5.7

Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days.

The Last Leg

2013

Taskmaster poster
8.3

Greg Davies is the Taskmaster, and with the help of his ever-loyal assistant Alex Horne, they will set out to test the wiles, wit, wisdom and skills of five hyper-competitive comedians. Who will be crowned the Taskmaster champion?

Taskmaster

2015

Have I Got a Bit More News for You poster
7.0

Based on the week’s news and fronted by guest hosts, this extended version of the satirical news quiz features more of the stuff that wouldn't fit into the regular programme.

Have I Got a Bit More News for You

—

Film credits

2020s · 13 titles

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire poster
6.4

The Spengler family returns to where it all started - the iconic New York City firehouse - to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who've developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

2024

Cinderella poster
6.3

Cinderella, an orphaned girl with an evil stepmother, has big dreams and with the help of her Fabulous Godmother, she perseveres to make them come true.

Cinderella

2021

Bad Fairies poster
NR

Hidden beneath the streets of modern London exists a secret magical world powered by an ancient code that fairies have followed for centuries. But when a fearless gang of rule-breaking fairies accidentally transforms an ordinary tween into a fairy, they uncover a far bigger problem: the magic system itself is failing. With their world on the brink of collapse, the group's toughest renegade hero must forge an unlikely alliance with the very human they transformed, embarking on a race against time through both London and the hidden magical realm. Together, they'll discover that saving magic may require breaking every rule in the book -proving that sometimes doing a little bad is the only way to do a whole lot of good.

Bad Fairies

2027

Clash of the Comics poster
NR

The Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning, total sell-out, global cult sensation is coming to the Eventim Apollo for its biggest and most spectacular show yet. CLASH OF THE COMICS is an epic, jaw-dropping night in which the biggest names in comedy really – yes, really – step into the ring, to take on each other and some of the UK’s biggest and best professional wrestlers

Clash of the Comics

2025

James Acaster: Cinemagoers Welcome poster
NR

Comedian James Acaster unleashes his infectious energy as he explores his love/hate relationship with stand-up - while welcoming a heckle or two. Filmed in Truro, Dublin, and Northampton, we see how this experiment panned out in front of three very different audiences. James Acaster is one of the UK's most exciting and original standup comedians, with sold out UK tours and specials on Netflix (Repertoire series), he has become one of the most well-known faces on the UK comedy scene. He is a best-selling author, actor (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), and a co-host of the hugely popular Off Menu Podcast.

James Acaster: Cinemagoers Welcome

2026

James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome poster
6.3

James Acaster explores his love/hate relationship with standup by relinquishing control of his set and accepting a healthy dose of audience interference – AKA heckling. With his wiry observational eye and incomparable wit, Acaster shares hilarious on-the-fly meta-analysis of his own material, along with stories from his childhood that spurred him to pursue a career in comedy.

James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome

2024

Finlay Christie: OK Zoomer poster
NR

Live registration of Finlay Christie's first show.

Finlay Christie: OK Zoomer

2023

Seize Them! poster
5.7

An arrogant queen becomes a fugitive in her own land after being overthrown by a charismatic revolutionary and must face hardship and danger as she embarks on a voyage to win back her throne.

Seize Them!

2024

The Unofficial Science of Home Alone poster
5.3

Comedians James Acaster, Guz Khan and Alex Brooker have all been obsessed with the classic 1990 comedy "Home Alone" ever since they were kids. But there's one big burning question that all "Home Alone" fans need answering: would The Wet Bandits have survived Kevin's traps in real life? Well, it's time to find out!

The Unofficial Science of Home Alone

2022

James Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 poster
8.1

On December 17th 2019, I, James Acaster, filmed my 2019 tour show Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 at EartH in Hackney. It was a show about the best year of my life (1999) and the worst year of my life (2017), I wore a very nifty jacket for it and I looked extremely cool.

James Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999

2020

Ian Cognito: A Life and A Death On Stage poster
6.3

Rising to fame amid the 1980s alternative comedy boom, Ian Cognito was one of the UK's most popular comedians. His performances left audiences in hysterics - but behind the laughter was a troubled and often controversial figure. This is the story of the comedy scene that nurtured a comedic genius, and the real life of a man famed for his outlandish sense of humour.

Ian Cognito: A Life and A Death On Stage

2022

Chess Ham poster
4.5

A documentary recounting Sam Campbell's journey to create Chess Ham, the Chesham Chess Ham.

Chess Ham

2025

James Acaster: Make a New Tomorrow poster
7.4

A forty minute stand-up special consisting of material that was cut from James Acaster's 2019 show Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999.

James Acaster: Make a New Tomorrow

2021

Series credits

Late Night with Seth Meyers poster
5.1

Seth Meyers, who is "Saturday Night Live's" longest serving anchor on the show's wildly popular "Weekend Update," takes over as host of NBC's "Late Night" — home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy and the best in musical talent. As the Emmy Award-winning head writer for "SNL," Meyers has established a reputation for sharp wit and perfectly timed comedy, and has gained fame for his spot-on jokes and satire. Meyers takes his departure from "SNL" to his new post at "Late Night," as Jimmy Fallon moves to "The Tonight Show".

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014

Late Night with Seth Meyers poster
5.1

Seth Meyers, who is "Saturday Night Live's" longest serving anchor on the show's wildly popular "Weekend Update," takes over as host of NBC's "Late Night" — home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy and the best in musical talent. As the Emmy Award-winning head writer for "SNL," Meyers has established a reputation for sharp wit and perfectly timed comedy, and has gained fame for his spot-on jokes and satire. Meyers takes his departure from "SNL" to his new post at "Late Night," as Jimmy Fallon moves to "The Tonight Show".

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014

Have I Got News for You poster
7.1

Hilarious, totally-irreverent, near-slanderous political quiz show, based mainly on news stories from the last week or so, that leaves no party, personality or action unscathed in pursuit of laughs.

Have I Got News for You

1990

QI poster
7.9

Comedy quiz show full of quirky facts, in which contestants are rewarded more if their answers are 'quite interesting'.

QI

2003

The Last Leg poster
5.7

Adam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days.

The Last Leg

2013

Taskmaster poster
8.3

Greg Davies is the Taskmaster, and with the help of his ever-loyal assistant Alex Horne, they will set out to test the wiles, wit, wisdom and skills of five hyper-competitive comedians. Who will be crowned the Taskmaster champion?

Taskmaster

2015

Have I Got a Bit More News for You poster
7.0

Based on the week’s news and fronted by guest hosts, this extended version of the satirical news quiz features more of the stuff that wouldn't fit into the regular programme.

Have I Got a Bit More News for You

—

Would I Lie to You? poster
7.8

A comedic panel show featuring team captains Lee Mack and David Mitchell plus two guests per side, hosted by Rob Brydon (formerly Angus Deayton). Each person must reveal embarrassing facts and outrageous lies during a series of different rounds including "Home Truths", "This Is My..." and "Quickfire Lies". It is up to the opposing team to tell tall tales from fantastic facts.

Would I Lie to You?

2007

Never Mind the Buzzcocks poster
7.1

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game show with a pop and rock music theme. The show is infamous for its dry, sarcastic humour and scathing, provocative attacks on the pop industry.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks

1996

8 Out of 10 Cats poster
7.2

A weekly, topical panel show based around a huge series of opinion poll surveys carried out around Britain.

8 Out of 10 Cats

2005

Big Brother's Bit on the Side poster
4.9

The place to catch up on all things Big Brother UK! Join Emma Willis for the best mix of exclusive clips, news and reactions from the house, plus celebrity guests and live debates in the studio.

Big Brother's Bit on the Side

2011

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown poster
7.4

Jimmy Carr hosts proceedings as the 8 Out of 10 Cats crew take over the words and numbers quiz.

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

2013

House of Games poster
6.1

Each week a group of four famous faces go toe to toe in testing their general knowledge skills in a variety of entertaining games.

House of Games

2017

The Jonathan Ross Show poster
5.2

The Jonathan Ross Show is a British chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on ITV on 3 September 2011 and currently airs on Saturday evenings following the conclusion of Ross' BBC One chat show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, in July 2010.

The Jonathan Ross Show

2011

Mock the Week poster
7.1

Mock the Week is a British topical celebrity panel game hosted by Dara Ó Briain. The game is influenced by improvised topical stand-up comedy, with several rounds requiring players to deliver answers on unexpected subjects on the spur of the moment.

Mock the Week

2005

Room 101 poster
6.6

Fast-moving game show meets talk show, which sees Frank Skinner refereeing three celebrities each week as they compete to banish their top peeve or worst nightmare to the depths of Room 101.

Room 101

1994

The Celebrity Traitors poster
8.3

An all-star cast play the ultimate game of deceit and betrayal.

The Celebrity Traitors

2025

Big Fat Quiz poster
7.6

Presenter Jimmy Carr oversees a panel of top-name celebrities in this year end quiz show where they compete to see who can answer the most questions correctly.

Big Fat Quiz

2004

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer poster
7.0

Four different celebrities all aim to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their baking skills.

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer

2018

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled poster
7.1

One of Britain’s favourite comedians doing what he does best – being funny. But Alan Davies isn’t on a stage, or behind his QI desk sparring with Stephen Fry, or even wearing his Jonathan Creek duffle coat… instead, Alan is at his most relaxed and most natural – sitting around chatting with some of his best comedian friends.

Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled

2014

Never Mind the Buzzcocks poster
7.9

The iconic pop culture panel show featuring host Greg Davies, who is joined by regulars Noel Fielding & Jamali Maddix for music-themed mayhem.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks

2021

Celebrity Hunted poster
5.5

Twelve famous faces go fugitive in this real-life thriller in aid of Stand Up To Cancer. Can they survive 14 days on the run from an elite team of hunters?

Celebrity Hunted

2017

The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice poster
5.2

The show that gives fans another bite of Bake Off when one helping just isn't enough. Jo Brand chats to a panel of celebrities about all the action, and meets the latest baker to leave the tent.

The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice

2017

Live at the Apollo poster
6.9

A British stand-up comedy programme performed from the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre in west London.

Live at the Apollo

2004

Travel Man: 48 Hours in... poster
6.4

British comedian Richard Ayoade (later taken over by Joe Lycett), accompanied by a celebrity guest, takes a ruthlessly efficient approach to travel, covering everything top tourist destinations have to offer in just 48 hours.

Travel Man: 48 Hours in...

2015

Hypothetical poster
6.2

Hosted by Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster, top comedians are posed absurd hypothetical situations and scored on how well they would deal with them. Over three rounds, two teams of comedians must think fast as they are faced with a series of completely made-up scenarios and interrogated on their approach to each one. Host Josh Widdicombe poses the questions and interrogates the guests' methods, whilst James Acaster, as arbiter of the Hypotheticals, deals with the guests quibbles and queries and doles out the points.

Hypothetical

2019

The Late Late Show poster
5.5

Chat show that looks at current affairs in Ireland.

The Late Late Show

1962

Virtually Famous poster
7.0

Virtually Famous was a British comedy panel game show with games based upon social media posts and videos.

Virtually Famous

2014

Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains poster
7.0

Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains involves celebrity guests revisiting their teenage years. Each celebrity will take a trip down memory lane; competing across fashion, pop culture, retro gadgets, first loves, school reports and more to get their teenage years recognised as the most embarrassing by comedian Rhod Gilbert. With mystery guests popping up along the way, offering up further revelations the show celebrates those ultimate embarrassing teenage moments, and it's down to Rhod to judge which celebrity should be crowned 'winner'.

Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains

2021

The Dog Ate My Homework poster
NR

Two teams fight it out to dodge detention, and put the cool back into school, in a mischievous mix of tongue-in-cheek comedy, off-the-wall questions, nonsensical studio games and slapstick challenges.

The Dog Ate My Homework

2014

Insert Name Here poster
6.8

Comedy panel show about people with the same first name, hosted by Sue Perkins.

Insert Name Here

2016

Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier poster
5.8

Ever worried about laboratory-grown meat, accidentally touching someone’s hand on the train or the impending nuclear apocalypse? Then join Jon Richardson as he hilariously works out exactly how worried the British public should be about everything there is to worry about.

Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier

2018

Question Team poster
6.3

In every episode Richard invites three comedians to join his Question Team. In a brazen act of indolence, Richard is outsourcing the lion's share of the preparation to his guests by demanding they each bring a unique round of questions, inspired by their own interests for him and the others to play.

Question Team

2021

Sweat the Small Stuff poster
5.0

Nick Grimshaw hosts the panel show that makes a big deal about the little things in life.

Sweat the Small Stuff

2013

Drunk History poster
7.5

Top UK comedians relate their favourite historical stories while getting absolutely bladdered on a mixture of beers, wines and spirits. Their slurred versions of history are then acted out, word for word, by a host of well-known actors, celebrities and comedians including Johnny Vegas, Russell Kane, Joe Lycett, Rob Beckett, Alex Horne and James Acaster. Luckily, Jimmy Carr is on voice-over duties to restore some order if the drinking sessions get out of hand.

Drunk History

2015

In Tandem with Chloe Radcliffe poster
NR

In Tandem is a brand new chat show where standup Chloe Radcliffe (that's me!) interviews another funny person on the back of her tandem bike. It's like Seinfeld's Comedians In Cars, but for less successful people. Or like Hot Ones, but the pain is in my guest's butts, not their mouths.

In Tandem with Chloe Radcliffe

2024

Absolutely Fine poster
7.0

Explores the stresses and strains of trying to do the right thing when you're a millennial with a comparatively easy life and a sense of entitlement. Simple things go wrong as Tom's attempts to be decent and generous end up tying himself, his friends and anyone he encounters in disastrous knots. From the Uber driver he's desperate to get a five star rating from to the lazy Deliveroo guy who refuses to go that extra step to the awkward encounter with the boiler repair man and his disastrous attempt at Netflix and chill.

Absolutely Fine

2017

No artwork available
NR

Rosie Jones is on a mission to help disabled people plan fun-filled adventures. With her comedian pals in tow, Rosie visits places across the UK to compile a guide to the accessible British vacation.

Mission: Accessible

2020

Channel Hopping with Jon Richardson poster
5.5

Comedian Jon Richardson presents a weekly digest of the world's wildest television, giving his take on curious headlines, hilarious clips, terrible soap opera acting and more.

Channel Hopping with Jon Richardson

2020

Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish poster
7.9

Dave Gorman points out things he finds strange about modern life.

Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Goodish

2013

Behind the camera