Holly Walsh
Snappy wit and crackling talent
The Guardian
Holly is co-creator, co-writer and executive producer of the BBC sitcom Motherland. In May 2022, Holly and her fellow writers won the BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy. They have also been nominated for multiple prestigious awards for the show, including Royal Television Society Awards (2017), British Screenwriters’ Awards (2018) and International Emmy Awards (2021).
Before turning her hand to writing, producing and directing television, Holly performed multiple sellout solo stand up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, securing a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her debut show Hollycopter.
Awards
- Winner: BAFTA TV Awards for Scripted Comedy (Motherland), 2022
- Nominee: Royal Television Society Awards, Comedy Writing (Motherland), 2017 & 2022
- Nominee: International Emmy Awards, Best Comedy (Motherland), 2021
- Nominee: British Screenwriters’ Awards, Best Comedy Writing on Television (Motherland), 2018
- Nominee: Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award, Best Newcomer Nominee, 2011
- Winner: Chortle Awards Best Newcomer 2008
- Finalist: Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year 2007
- Finalist: So You Think You’re Funny Competition Finalist 2006
- Finalist: Funny Women Competition Finalist 2006
Credit
Television
- Mock the Week (BBC2, 2009 – 2022)
- Question Team (Dave, 2022)
- Grayson’s Art Club (Channel 4, 2021)
- QI (BBC2, 2016- 2022)
- Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2, 2021)
- Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier (Dave, 2019)
- Richard Osman’s House Of Games: Champion of Champions (BBC2, 2019)
- Tipping Point: Lucky Stars (ITV, 2019)
- Room 101 (BBC1, 2018)
- I’ll Get This (BBC1, 2018)
- The Apprentice: You’re Fired (BBC2, 2017)
- Parenting For Idiots (C4, 2017)
- 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4, 2014 – 2017)
- Live At The Apollo (BBC2, 2016)
- Roald Dahl’s Most Marvelous Book (Channel 4, 2016)
- Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 2016)
- Insert Name Here (BBC2, 2016)
- Danny Baker’s Players’ Lounge (BT Sport 1, 2015)
- Alan Davies As Yet Untitled (Dave, 2015)
- Sweat the Small Stuff (BBC3, 2014)
- Comedy Central at The Comedy Store (Comedy Central, 2014)
- The Matt Lucas Awards, (BBC1, 2013)
- Deal or No Deal / 8 Out of 10 Cats Mash Up, (Channel 4, 2013)
- Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, 2013)
- 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4, 2009 – 2012)
- Jonathan Ross Film Show (Pilot) (ITV, 2012)
- Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC2 2009 -2012)
- The Mad Bad Ad Show (Channel 4, 2012)
- The Joy of the Single (BBC4 2012)
- Edinburgh Comedy Gala (BBC3, 2011)
- All Over The Place (CBBC, 2011)
- Comedy Summit (Pilot) (E4, 2011)
- Dave’s One Night Stand (Dave, 2010)
- My So Called Life Sentence (pilot) (BBC2, 2010)
- The Blame Game (BBC N. Ireland, 2010)
- Would I Lie To You? (BBC 1, 2010)
- Celebrity Big Brother’s Big Mouth (Channel 4, 2010)
- You Have Been Watching (C4, 2009 – 2010)
- TNT Show (Channel 4, 2009)
- Big Brother’s Little Brother (Channel 4, 2009)
- Big Brother’s Big Mouth (Channel 4, 2009)
- Sound Celebrity Stalker (BBC 2, 2009)
- Charlie Brooker’s Newswipe (Pilot, 2009)
- Winging It (BBC Switch, 2009)
- Quarter Life Crisis (Current TV, 2009)
- The Late Edition (BBC4, 2008)
- Children’s BBC (CBBC, 2008)
- Edinburgh & Beyond (Paramount Comedy Channel, 2008)
- Delta Forever (BBC3, 2008)
- Frank Skinner’s Skateboarding Dog (pilot) 2007
Radio
- Just A Minute, (BBC Radio 4, 2014, 2016, 2023)
- The Unbelievable Truth (BBC Radio 4, 2014-2022)
- Museum Of Curiosity (Host, BBC Radio 4, 2021)
- Joe Lycett’s Obsessions (BBC Radio 4, 2020)
- The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4, 2009-2017)
- Museum Of Curiosity (Guest, BBC Radio 4, 2016)
- Best Behaviour (BBC Radio 4, 2015)
- The Now Show (BBC Radio 4, 2009 – 2014)
- Britain vs The World (BBC Radio 4, 2014)
- Radio 4 Extra Comedy (BBC Radio 4, 2014)
- Wordaholics (BBC Radio 4, 2014)
- Fred McCauley & Co (BBC Radio Scotland, 2013 & 2014)
- Al Murray’s Seven Day Sunday (BBC Radio 5, 2013)
- Nick Helm’s Boxing Day (BBC Radio 1)
- Steven K Amos Show (BBC Radio 4)
- Frank Skinner Show (Absolute Radio, 2012)
- International Waters Podcast (2012)
- And the winner is… (BBC Radio 2, 2011)
- Charlie Brooker’s So Wrong It’s Right (BBC Radio 4, 2010-11)
- Roundtable (BBC 6Music, 2010-2014)
- 7 Day Sunday (BBC Radio 5, 2010 – 2011)
- Act Your Age (BBC Radio 4 2008, 2010, 2011)
- Out To Lunch (BBC R2, 2008)
- Witty & Twisted (BBC7, 2007)
Writing
- The Other One, Series 1 – 2, (creator, co-writer, executive producer & director) (BBc1, 2020, 2022)
- Motherland, Series 1 – 3 (creator, co-writer & executive producer) (BBC2, 2017-2021)
- Girl Band pilot (working title), writer, Leftbank / Channel 4 2014
- The Example pilot, writer & creator, Noho 2014
- Psychobitches Series 1 – 2, Hat Trick / Sky 2013, 2014
- Dead Boss, Executive Producer, Warner Bros, 2014
- Crackanory Series 1 – 2, Tiger Aspect / Dave 2013, 2014
- Best Friend (Working Title), film co-writer & co-creator, Big Talk / Pacific Standard Prods 2013
- 88 Keys non-TX pilot, writing contributor Big Talk / BBC 2013
- Bad Management, co-writer/creator & co-producer, ABC Productions 2013
- Cardinal Burns, Series 2, Left Bank / Channel 4 2013
- Anna & Katy, Roughcut / Channel 4 2013
- Dead Boss, co-writer/creator , BBC3 2012
- Bad Mom, co-writer, ABC Productions 2012
- My So Called Life Sentence pilot Co-writer with Sharon Horgan BBC 2010
- V-EYE-P writing contributor BBC3 2010
- Bigipedia writing contributor BBC Radio 2009
- The News Quiz writing contributor BBC R4 2009
- Broken Arts writing contributor BBC R4 2009
- Talking and Not Talking (with Laura Solon) S2 & S3 writing contributor BBC R4 2008 – 2009
- The Anna & Katy Show (pilot) writing contributor BBC R2 2008
- The Wall writing contributor BBC3 2008
- Laurence & Gus – Hearts & Minds S2 & S3 writing contributor BBC Radio 4 2008
- The Charlotte Church Show writing contributor Channel 4 2007
- Grrrr writer, BBC Scotland 2007
- It’s That Jo Caulfield Again S2 & S3 writing contributor BBC Radio 4 2006 – 2007
Live
- Holly Walsh: Never Had It (Soho Theatre, 2015)
- Holly Walsh: Never Had It (Edinburgh Festival, 2014)
- Holly Walsh: Hollycopter (Soho Theatre, 2012)
- Holly Walsh: Hollycopter (Edinburgh Festival, 2011)
- Ross Noble Tour Support (UK, 2011)
- Leicester Comedy Festival Tour Stand Up National Tour (UK, 2009)
- The Comedy Reserve Stand Up Pleasance (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2008)
Press
She’s gifted with snappy wit and crackling talent.
The Guardian
She peppers her set with callbacks and clever asides and has easy charm.
Independent
A talent for smart comic writing and the ability to keep an audience rapt.
The Observer
Holly Walsh really impressed…excellent sets and endeared herself through some assured banter with crowds who really took to her.
British Comedy Guide
Praise for Motherland
Middle class parenting comedy doesn’t get better than this.
Independent ★★★★
A joy to watch.
Evening Standard ★★★★
Stuffed with joke after joke… a hugely entertaining watch.
Radio Times ★★★★★
On 2014 Edinburgh Show ‘Never Had It’
Her steady stream of witty and astute cultural observations belie her dorkiness from the first.
Chortle
Her gift for original lines and images that make this show a joy.
The Observer
Wonderful.
Metro
Brilliantly understated comic and comedy writer who claims to have a lack of charisma, yet weaves a relentlessly high gag count into her stories.
The Times
A meticulously well prepared and delivered Fringe show.
Chortle
A lightness of touch, springing punchlines on us when we least expect it.
Beyond The Joke
On 2011 Fosters nominated Edinburgh Show ‘The Hollycopter’
Delightful moments of hilarity.
Chortle
Skilfully paced.
The Independent
Wry asides and delicate puns…genuinely endearing.
Fest Mag
Less than a week into her debut run she is confident and composed.
A bubbly and infectious persona that is complimented by abilities as a writer and performer. She has crafted a well-honed piece with plenty of laughs, a satisfying story and even a joyous conclusion…She will go a long way.
Chortle
Original humour…hilarious narrative anyone can relate to.
Three Weeks
