James Watkins (director)

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James Watkins
On set of McMafia with cast (cropped).jpg
Born
James Thomas Watkins

(1973-05-20) 20 May 1973 (age 52)
Nottingham, England
Occupation(s) Film director, screenwriter
Notable work Eden Lake
The Woman in Black
Speak No Evil

James Thomas Watkins (born 20 May 1973) is an English film director and screenwriter. He is best known for his work in horror films, most notably Eden Lake (2008), The Woman in Black (2012), and Speak No Evil (2024).

Contents

Early life

James Thomas Watkins[ citation needed ] was born in Nottingham, England.[ citation needed ]

Career

Watkins wrote and directed the critically acclaimed thriller Eden Lake (2008), starring Michael Fassbender and Kelly Reilly. [1] It won Best Horror Film at the 2009 Empire Awards, the Jury Prize at Sitges Film Festival and Best Director at Fantasporto.[ citation needed ] Watkins was nominated for the Douglas Hickox Award at the 2008 British Independent Film Awards.[ citation needed ]

He also directed The Woman in Black (2012) [2] [3] and Speak No Evil , released in 2024. [4]

Watkins has written scripts for Warner Bros., Working Title, Film4, and BBC Films.[ citation needed ]

Watkins was announced to be directing the DC Universe film Clayface in February 2025. [5]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorWriter
2002 My Little Eye NoYes
2007 Gone NoYes
2008 Eden Lake YesYes
2009 The Descent Part 2 2nd unitYes
2012 The Woman in Black YesNo
2016 Bastille Day YesYes
2024 Speak No Evil YesYes
2026 Clayface YesNo

Television

YearTitleDirectorWriterCreatorNotes
2016 Black Mirror YesNoNoEpisode "Shut Up and Dance"
2018 McMafia YesYesYes8 episodes
2022 The Ipcress File YesNoNo6 episodes

References

  1. "James Watkins interview: Eden Lake, modern horror & The Descent 2". Den of Geek. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  2. Gingold, Michael (4 February 2019). "Q&A: Director James Watkins' Dark Directions For THE WOMAN IN BLACK". Fangoria.
  3. Mellor, Louisa (9 February 2012). "James Watkins, Jane Goldman & Susan Hill interview: The Woman In Black, Hammer and more". Den of Geek.
  4. "James Watkins - United Agents". United Agents. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  5. Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (21 February 2025). "DC's 'Clayface' Lands 'Speak No Evil' Director James Watkins (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2025.