Phoebe Waller-Bridge Bio
Phoebe Mary Waller-Bridge (born 14 July 1985) is an English actress, screenwriter, and producer. As the creator, writer, and lead star of the comedy series Fleabag (2016–2019), she won various accolades, including three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a BAFTA TV. She received further Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for writing and producing the spy thriller series Killing Eve (2018–2022). Waller-Bridge has established herself as a prominent figure in contemporary television and film, known for her unique voice and sharp wit.
Early Life and Background
Phoebe Mary Waller-Bridge was born in Hammersmith, London, on 14 July 1985. She is the daughter of Michael Cyprian Waller-Bridge, the founder of an electronic trading platform, and Theresa Mary, who has connections to the landed gentry of Sussex. Waller-Bridge’s family background includes a lineage of soldiers and clergymen, and her grandfather was an actor and BBC announcer. Growing up in Ealing, London, she has two siblings: an older sister, Isobel Waller-Bridge, a composer, and a younger brother, Jasper. Waller-Bridge was educated at St Augustine’s Priory, an independent Catholic school for girls, and later attended DLD College London. In 2006, she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Path to Hollywood
Waller-Bridge’s performing career began in theatre in 2007 when she co-founded the DryWrite Theatre Company with Vicky Jones. They became co-artistic directors and collaborated on various productions. Her early theatre credits include performances in productions such as Roaring Trade at Soho Theatre and Rope at Almeida Theatre. In 2012, she wrote and starred in Fleabag, which she first performed at the London Storytelling Festival. The full version premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013, marking a significant step in her career.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Career
Early Career (2007–2015)
Waller-Bridge began her screen career in 2009, appearing in short films and television sitcoms. Her early television roles included parts in The Night Watch, Bad Education, and Blandings. She made her feature film debut in 2011 with roles in Albert Nobbs and The Iron Lady. Her work in theatre and early television laid the groundwork for her later success.
Breakthrough (2016–2019)
Waller-Bridge’s breakthrough came with the release of Fleabag in 2016. The series was initially aired on BBC Three and later on BBC Two and Amazon Video. It received critical acclaim, and Waller-Bridge’s performance earned her numerous awards, including the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. The second and final series aired in 2019, solidifying her status as a leading voice in comedy.
Notable Works and Milestones
Fleabag remains Waller-Bridge’s signature work, garnering her three Primetime Emmy Awards in 2019 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. She also received accolades for her work on Killing Eve, which premiered in 2018 and showcased her talent for creating compelling narratives.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Phoebe Waller-Bridge has received numerous nominations for her work in television and film, particularly for her contributions to Fleabag and Killing Eve.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Awards Won
Waller-Bridge has won several prestigious awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on Fleabag, as well as two Golden Globe Awards. Her contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized with various accolades, highlighting her impact as a writer and performer.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Family
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s family includes her parents, Michael Cyprian Waller-Bridge and Theresa Mary, as well as her siblings, Isobel and Jasper.
Personal Life
Waller-Bridge married Conor Woodman in 2014, but the couple separated in 2017, finalizing their divorce in 2022. Since then, she has been in a relationship with filmmaker Martin McDonagh. Waller-Bridge lives in Shoreditch, London, and describes herself as an atheist. She avoids social media, citing the pressure to be constantly entertaining as a reason for her absence.
