James Watkins (director)

James Watkins
Watkins in 2017
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).

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

Year	Title	Director	Writer
2002	My Little Eye	No	Yes
2007	Gone	No	Yes
2008	Eden Lake	Yes	Yes
2009	The Descent Part 2	2nd unit	Yes
2012	The Woman in Black	Yes	No
2016	Bastille Day	Yes	Yes
2024	Speak No Evil	Yes	Yes
2026	Clayface	Yes	No

Television

Year	Title	Director	Writer	Creator	Notes
2016	Black Mirror	Yes	No	No	Episode "Shut Up and Dance"
2018	McMafia	Yes	Yes	Yes	8 episodes
2022	The Ipcress File	Yes	No	No	6 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.

External links

• James Watkins at IMDb