Charly Clive

Charly is a British actress, writer / performer and comedian who can currently be seen in Bill Lawrence’s HBO series ROOSTER, which she co-leads opposite Steve Carell. It’s about the relationship between a college professor and his daughter.

Charly was included in Variety’s Brits to Watch list of 2026.

Charly has filmed a role in the comedy thriller EVERYBODY WANTS TO F*CK ME alongside Taron Egerton.

Prior to this, Charly starred in a lead role opposite Paapa Essiedu in two series of Sky Max’s hit series – THE LAZARUS PROJECT, which received excellent write-ups. Her debut screen performance as the lead role of Marnie in PURE earned her a place on the 2018 Screen Daily Stars of Tomorrow list, a title she is definitely living up to.

Recently, Charly has filmed an exciting role alongside Ellen Robertson for Prime Video’s upcoming project.  She can also be seen playing the female lead in in indie feature, ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME which debuted at Tribeca and had its UK premiere at LFF.

Charly and her comedy partner Ellen Robertson make up the celebrated sketch group, BRITNEY. They adapted their eponymous sell-out debut live show for a BBC3 pilot, BRITNEY, which received nothing but 5 star and 4 star reviews. It was about their real-life experience of Charly having a brain tumour.

Praise for Charly Clive in ROOSTER: 

“Charly Clive almost steals the show as Katie and has lovely repartee with Carell.” The Guardian

“The marvellous Charly Clive” Wall Street Journal

“Clive, who got her TV start with the spectacular Pure, is just as formidable a scene partner for Carell, leaning into the awkwardness of Katie’s efforts to get her life back on track as she can’t adequately combat public perception and her own disastrous instincts.” Awards Buzz

“Balancing Carell most impressively is Clive as the kind of scene partner that makes everything around her sharper… Clive plays Katie’s feelings like it’s something she’s careful not to spill. It’s that restraint that gives Rooster its simmer, and it pairs perfectly with her sharp timing.” Collider

“Clive, a British comedian with a downright fascinating career trajectory, absolutely shines in her first American TV role. She plays Katie’s messiness, impulsivity, and raw emotions with ease, stealing scenes and evoking a balanced mix of empathy and laughter from viewers. The real-life experiences of Girl Dads Lawrence, Tarses, and Carell helped shape Rooster’s anchoring duo, but Clive’s effortless chemistry with Carell is what makes each interaction feel authentic, regardless of tone.” Decider

“It’s Clive who is bound to turn heads. As someone largely unfamiliar with her comedic work in the UK, I now want to retroactively seek out what I’ve missed. Her instincts and timing are incredible, making it seem like she’s been in the business for decades despite landing her first project in 2018.” The Wrap

“As Katie, Clive is instantly believable as Carrell’s daughter and performs her as a woman on the brink – just barely holding it together while the world around her crumbles. Carrell’s mastery of the overzealous and well-intentioned paternal archetype is on full display here and Clive serves as his perfect scene partner and foil.”  IGN

Praise for Charly Clive and PURE:

“Clive’s performance is masterly” ✭✭✭✭  The Guardian

“Charming and goofy even in her despair” ✭✭✭✭  The I

“Funny, grotesque and disorientating – an excruciating success”  ✭✭✭✭  The Telegraph

Praise for the BRITNEY pilot:

“The first time a brain tumour has ever been funny: It was ferociously funny, heartbreaking, and honest, and it’s the kind of show that makes me glad BBC Three is returning to television in February – BRITNEY deserves to be seen by as many people as possible.” – The i

“Much has been written about the rise of “sadcoms” — comedies that aren’t actually very funny, being more about the reality of emotional pain. Think FLEABAG or AFTER LIFE. BRITNEY seemed more of a “joycom”, despite revealing a premise potentially as bleak as any weepie of the week. Quite an achievement, and not what you might expect from a brief pilot that started out like a kooky rom-com about girly BFFs. Cue hyperreal visual flourishes and a tone switching on a sixpence between goofy joy and a sense of dread — and suddenly it was over, having fully earned a burning itch to find out what happened next. All in 20 minutes flat, which is going some.” – The Times

“Turning a brain tumour diagnosis into the stuff of comedy is no mean feat.. It’s sharp, funny and understatedly inspiring but so far it’s only a pilot. It surely deserves a full series.” – Metro

“The script is awash with quirks that give the programme a distinctive, sparky atmosphere well matched to the pair’s friendship… Clive and Robertson’s performances and chemistry are as a natural as you could hope, and so utterly endearing, the viewer feels right there with them when the awful news come. But the warmth – and the silliness – gives hope that everything might be all right despite it all.  Yet, sadly, there isn’t a full series ready to binge, as this tender, witty pilot leaves you yearning to find out how the pair deal with the biggest of life’s issues through their love and humour.” – Chortle