Henrietta & Jessica Ashworth
Writers
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
Screen’s ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ 2012; Broadcast ‘Hotshots’ 2013; and listed in the BBC’s New Talent Hotlist in 2017, Jessica and Henrietta wrote their first script THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB – a farce about authorship controversy – aged 15. Their script OLIVIA AND JIM came third on the Brit List 2011. Following on from their TV work on the third series of FRESH MEAT and the BAFTA-winning DIXI, the Ashworths wrote on the second series of Phoebe Waller Bridge’s BAFTA-winning KILLING EVE for the BBC.
Their feature work includes an adaptation of QUEEN’S GAMBIT by Elizabeth Fremantle, that tells the story of Katherine Parr – the last wife of Henry VIII – which is in development with Gaby Tana and Karim Ainouz is attached to direct. QUEEN’S GAMBIT was featured on the Brit List 2018. That same year, their debut feature TELL IT TO THE BEES, adapted from Fiona Shaw’s novel of the same name, premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. Produced by Daisy Allsop, Riverstone and the BFI, the film is directed by Annabel Jankel and stars Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger.
Upcoming projects include an adaptation of David Gaffney’s graphic novel THE THREE ROOMS IN VALERIE’S HEAD for Wall to Wall, a dark comedy about relationships, memory, loneliness and obsession that explores the ways we remain haunted by our ex-lovers; an adaptation of Abrose Parry's The Way Of All Flesh for Sunny March; and FAERIE QUEEN a new series for The Henson Company and Amazon.
The Ashworths are now developing their debut directorial feature SIREN, about a young girl who develops terrifying powers, and have recently finished their short film NIGHTBUS. Both projects were produced by Helen Gladders of Gingerbread Pictures.
In Development
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
FAERIE QUEEN 2021 | The Henson Company / Amazon | Executive Producers / Showrunners. With visionary illustrator Brian Froud. |
DO NO HARM 2021 | Sky / SunnyMarch | Adaptation of Ambrose Parry's The Way Of All Flesh |
QUEEN'S GAMBIT 2021 | Gaby Tana | Adaptation of Elizabeth Fremantle's novel, which looks at the life of Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr. Produced by Gaby Tana. Featured on the Brit List 2018. With Karim Ainouz directing. |
SIREN 2021 | Gingerbread | Directors. About a young girl who develops terrifying powers |
THE ISLAND 2021 | World Productions | Episode 3 |
I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW 2021 | Warp | Original series |
THREE ROOMS IN VALERIE'S HEAD 2021 | Wall to Wall | Adaptation of David Gaffney's graphic novel Three Rooms in Valerie's Head |
Film
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
TELL IT TO THE BEES 2020 | Archface/BFI/Riverstone | Feature adaptation of Fiona Shaw's book of the same name, directed by Annabel Jankel and starring Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger. World premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. Showcased at the 33rd BFI Flare: London LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2019 |
Television
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
KILLING EVE Series Two 2019 | Sid Gentle/BBC America | Episode 3, 'The Hungry Caterpillar' |
DIXI (Series 2) 2015 | Kindle Entertainment/CBBC | Series 2 of the BAFTA-winning online show |
2014 | Kindle Entertainment/CBBC | Winner of Best Children's Interactive Show at BAFTA's Children's Awards 2014 |
FRESH MEAT (Series 3) 2013 | Objective Productions/Channel 4 | Episode 3 |
Short Films
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
NIGHTBUS 2019 | Gingerbread | Directors. Horror film written by Jade Alexander |
FAN GIRL 2015 | Writer. Co-producers. Directed by Kate Herron and starring Steve Oram, FAN GIRL follows a group of super-fans who break into the house of a faded 90's popstar. Nominated for Best Comedy and Best Woman Director at the 2016 London Short Film Festival; nominated for the Discovery Award at LOCO Comedy Festival; nominated for the Grand Prix Award at Encounters Short Film Festival; nominated for Best Comedy and People's Choice Award at Aesthetica Film Festival; Screened at the East End Film Festival and Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival where it was nominated for Best Short Film |