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 latest feature film FIREBRAND (an adaptation of QUEEN’S GAMBIT by Elizabeth Fremantle) was in competition and premiered at Cannes Film Festival 2023 and tells the story of Katherine Parr – the last wife of Henry VIII. The film stars Oscar winners Jude Law and Alicia Vikander and is directed by Karim Ainouz.
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 was directed by Annabel Jankel and stars Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger.
The Ashworths are now developing their debut directorial feature THE CHANGE, 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 |
|---|---|---|
THE CHANGE 2023 | Gingerbread | Directors. About a young girl who develops terrifying powers |
FAERIE QUEEN 2022 | The Henson Company / Amazon | Executive Producers / Showrunners. With visionary illustrator Brian Froud. |
DO NO HARM 2022 | Sky / SunnyMarch | Adaptation of Ambrose Parry's The Way Of All Flesh |
Film
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
FIREBRAND 2023 | 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. Karim Ainouz directing. |
TELL IT TO THE BEES 2018 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
THE ISLAND 2022 | World Productions | Episode 3 |
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 |