Ellen Robertson

Last updated

Ellen Robertson
Education Cambridge University
Occupation(s)Actress
Writer
Years active2018–present

Ellen Robertson is an English writer, comedian and stage, film and television actress.

Contents

Career

She attended Cambridge University and was a member of the Cambridge Footlights. [1] Whilst studying in school in Oxfordshire she attended a playwriting workshop with Charly Clive with the pair first performing together in 2009 and later travelling together during their gap year. Robertson lived with Clive after Clive was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and had to return to the UK having previously moved to New York. They later turned the experience into a stage show Britney, the name Clive had given to her tumour, which was performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Soho Theatre in London. [2] [3] [4] Proceeds from the show were donated to The Pituitary Foundation. [5]

She also appeared on stage in Mike Bartlett play Snowflake in Oxford and reprised the role at the Kiln Theatre, directed by Clare Lizzimore in 2019. [6] She could be seen as Poppy in Sarah Phelps television series The Pale Horse in 2020. [7] On stage, she appeared in the world premiere of Mike Bartlett play Mrs Delgado in 2021 at the Old Fire Station, Oxford. [8] Britney was adapted for television, starring both Robertson and Clive, and broadcast on BBC Three in 2021 with a cast including Omid Djalili and Tony Gardner alongside the pair. [9] [10] [11] The following year, Robertson and Clive returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with their show Britney: Friends and Nothing More, named after a comedy song Clive wrote for Robertson after she came out. [12] [13]

Robertson appeared in Bong Joon Ho directed feature film Mickey 17 , alongside Robert Pattinson (2024) and appeared in the Black Mirror episode Joan Is Awful alongside Annie Murphy on Netflix (2024). She was cast in Lena Dunham’s 2025 Netflix series Too Much . [14] That year, she was cast in Vladimir alongside Leo Woodall and Rachel Weisz. [15]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2020 The Pale Horse Poppy2 episodes
2020 In My Skin Jodie1 episode
2021 Pls Like Freya1 episode
2021BritneyEllenAlso writer
2022 The Outlaws Rentagob1 episode
2023 Black Mirror Sandy's palEpisode: Joan Is Awful
2023 Breeders Jude1 episode
2024Portraits of Dangerous WomenLiz
2024 Mickey 17 Jennifer ChiltonFeature film
2025 Too Much TBAPost-production
TBA Vladimir SidFilming

References

  1. Obeng, Naomi Eva (24 February 2015). "Preview: Footlights Spring Revue". Varsity.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  2. Robertson, Grace (14 January 2017). "The best medicine: How two friends turned a brain tumour diagnosis into comedy". Varsity.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  3. Moses, Caro (2 December 2022). "Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson: Britney – Friends And Nothing More". This Week Culture. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  4. "Edinburgh Fringe Q&A: Sketch duo Britney can't wait for their first festival in five years". Sunday Post. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  5. Blake, Elly (29 November 2021). "People thought they were seeing a play about a brain tumour, but it was actually a story about friendship'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  6. Stewart, Greg (2 December 2019). "Interview: Ellen Robertson on Mike Bartlett's Snowflake at The Kiln Theatre". Theatre Weekly. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  7. "Interview with Ellen Robertson". BBC News. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  8. "Ellen Robertson steps in to perform MRS DELGADO at The Old Fire Station in Oxford". westendbestfriend. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  9. Baker, Emily (30 November 2021). "Britney is the first time a brain tumour has ever been funny". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  10. Richardson, Hollie (30 November 2021). "TV tonight: Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson's smart and silly brain-tumour comedy". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  11. Morris, Lauren (6 December 2021). "Britney stars say they're "ready to go" if BBC commissions full series". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  12. "Britney: 'Friends and Nothing More' review". Time Out. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  13. "Sketch comedy act Britney are taking Friends and Nothing More to Edinburgh Fringe". Diva Magazine. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  14. Otterson, Joe (16 March 2025). "Charly Clive and Ellen Robertson Sign With WME (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  15. Otterson, Joe (7 July 2025). "John Slattery, Jessica Henwick Among 9 Cast in Netflix Limited Series 'Vladimir' Opposite Rachel Weisz, Leo Woodall". Variety. Retrieved 8 July 2025.