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'''Charles Murray Higson''' (born 3 July 1958) is an English actor, comedian, author and former singer. He has also written and produced for television and is the author of the ''[[The Enemy (Higson novel)|Enemy]]'' book series.
'''Charles Murray Higson''' (born 3 July 1958) is an English actor, comedian, author and former singer. He has also written and produced for television and is the author of the [[Young adult literature|young adult]] [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] book series ''The Enemy'', as well as the first five novels in the ''[[Young Bond]]'' series.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
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== Career ==
== Career ==
Higson started writing for [[Harry Enfield]] with [[Paul Whitehouse]] and performing comedy. He came to public attention as one of the main writers and performers of the [[BBC Two]] sketch show ''[[The Fast Show]]'' (1994–2000). He also worked with Whitehouse on the radio comedy ''[[Down the Line (radio series)|Down the Line]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Byrne |first=Ciar |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article3013244.ece |title=Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson: Making (radio) waves |work=The Independent |location=London |date=1 October 2007 |access-date=1 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224225009/http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article3013244.ece |archive-date=24 December 2007}}</ref> In 1994 Higson co-wrote (with [[Lise Mayer]]) the screenplay for the film thriller [[Suite 16 (film)|Suite 16]].
Higson started writing for [[Harry Enfield]] with [[Paul Whitehouse]] and performing comedy. He came to public attention as one of the main writers and performers of the [[BBC Two]] sketch show ''[[The Fast Show]]'' (1994–2000). He also worked with Whitehouse on the radio comedy ''[[Down the Line (radio series)|Down the Line]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Byrne |first=Ciar |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article3013244.ece |title=Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson: Making (radio) waves |work=The Independent |location=London |date=1 October 2007 |access-date=1 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224225009/http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article3013244.ece |archive-date=24 December 2007}}</ref> In 1994 Higson co-wrote (with [[Lise Mayer]]) the screenplay for the film thriller [[Suite 16 (film)|''Suite 16'']].


He worked as producer, writer, director and occasional guest star on ''[[Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000 TV series)|Randall & Hopkirk]]'' from 2000 to 2001. Subsequent television work has included writing and starring in [[BBC Three]]'s ''Fast Show'' spin-off sitcom ''[[Swiss Toni]]''. He has starred in ''[[Tittybangbang]]'' on [[BBC Three]]{{citation needed|reason=Not mentioned on show's page|date=May 2016}} and first appeared as a panellist on ''[[QI]]'' in 2007. In 2010 he co-directed and starred in the series ''[[Bellamy's People]]''.
He worked as producer, writer, director and occasional guest star on ''[[Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000 TV series)|Randall & Hopkirk]]'' from 2000 to 2001. Subsequent television work has included writing and starring in [[BBC Three]]'s ''Fast Show'' spin-off sitcom ''[[Swiss Toni]]''. He first appeared as a panellist on ''[[QI]]'' in 2007. In 2010 he co-directed and starred in the series ''[[Bellamy's People]]''.


In 2013 Higson adapted [[Agatha Christie]]'s ''[[A Caribbean Mystery]]'' for [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]'s ''[[Agatha Christie's Marple]]'' series. In an addition to the plot, [[Miss Marple]] attends a talk given by the ornithologist [[James Bond (ornithologist)|James Bond]] (played by Higson himself): there she meets [[Ian Fleming]], who is inspired to borrow the speaker's name for the protagonist of his new novel, ''[[Casino Royale (novel)|Casino Royale]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} In 2015 Higson reimagined the novel ''[[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde]]'' by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]] for [[ITV Studios]] into a ten part adventure series, set in the 1930s titled ''[[Jekyll and Hyde (TV series)|Jekyll and Hyde]]''. In 2017, Higson appeared as Ian Winterman in [[Broadchurch (series 3)|series three]] of ''[[Broadchurch]]'' and as Ronnie Maguire in series three of ''[[Grantchester (TV series)|Grantchester]]''.
In 2013 Higson adapted [[Agatha Christie]]'s ''[[A Caribbean Mystery]]'' for [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]'s ''[[Agatha Christie's Marple]]'' series. In 2015 Higson reimagined the novel ''[[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde]]'' by [[Robert Louis Stevenson]] for [[ITV Studios]] into a ten part adventure series, set in the 1930s titled ''[[Jekyll and Hyde (TV series)|Jekyll and Hyde]]''. In 2017, Higson appeared as Ian Winterman in [[Broadchurch (series 3)|series three]] of ''[[Broadchurch]]'' and as Ronnie Maguire in series three of ''[[Grantchester (TV series)|Grantchester]]''.


2020 saw Higson compete on ''[[Richard Osman's House of Games]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b094mjv0|title=BBC Two – Richard Osman's House of Games|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> alongside [[Chizzy Akudolu]], [[Kate Williams (historian)|Kate Williams]] and [[Tom Allen (comedian)|Tom Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt8581952/|title=Episode #2.25|access-date=24 July 2020|website=IMDb.com|date=29 June 2018}}</ref>
2020 saw Higson compete on ''[[Richard Osman's House of Games]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b094mjv0|title=BBC Two – Richard Osman's House of Games|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> alongside [[Chizzy Akudolu]], [[Kate Williams (historian)|Kate Williams]] and [[Tom Allen (comedian)|Tom Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt8581952/|title=Episode #2.25|access-date=24 July 2020|website=IMDb.com|date=29 June 2018}}</ref>
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=== Books ===
=== Books ===
Higson published many novels through the early to mid-1990s which take a slightly [[dystopia]]n look at everyday life and have a considerably more adult tone than his other work, with characters on the margins of society finding themselves spiralling out of control. This has led ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' to describe him as "The missing link between [[Dick Emery]] and [[Bret Easton Ellis]]".<ref>{{cite web | title=Quoted on Publisher's webpage | work=Little,Brown on 'Full Whack' | url=http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Title/9780349108117 | access-date=3 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406190656/http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Title/9780349108117 | archive-date=6 April 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' has described Higson as "The missing link between [[Dick Emery]] and [[Bret Easton Ellis]]".<ref>{{cite web | title=Quoted on Publisher's webpage | work=Little,Brown on 'Full Whack' | url=http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Title/9780349108117 | access-date=3 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406190656/http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Title/9780349108117 | archive-date=6 April 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


Higson wrote a series of five ''[[Young Bond]]'' novels, aimed at younger readers and concentrating on the [[James Bond]]'s school-days at [[Eton College|Eton]] starting with ''[[SilverFin]]'', released in 2005, and ending with ''[[By Royal Command]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web|title=By Royal Command official announcement |work=The Young Bond Dossier |url=http://www.youngbonddossier.com/Young_Bond/Danger_Society_News/Entries/2008/3/6_Young_Bond_5_is_BY_ROYAL_COMMAND.html |access-date=22 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706131308/http://www.youngbonddossier.com/Young_Bond/Danger_Society_News/Entries/2008/3/6_Young_Bond_5_is_BY_ROYAL_COMMAND.html |archive-date=6 July 2008}}</ref> Higson had been at school with [[Jonathan Evans (MI5 officer)|Jonathan Evans]], former Director General of [[MI5]].
Higson wrote a series of five ''[[Young Bond]]'' novels, aimed at younger readers and concentrating on [[James Bond]]'s school-days at [[Eton College|Eton]] starting with ''[[SilverFin]]'', released in 2005, and ending with ''[[By Royal Command]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web|title=By Royal Command official announcement |work=The Young Bond Dossier |url=http://www.youngbonddossier.com/Young_Bond/Danger_Society_News/Entries/2008/3/6_Young_Bond_5_is_BY_ROYAL_COMMAND.html |access-date=22 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706131308/http://www.youngbonddossier.com/Young_Bond/Danger_Society_News/Entries/2008/3/6_Young_Bond_5_is_BY_ROYAL_COMMAND.html |archive-date=6 July 2008}}</ref> Higson had been at school with [[Jonathan Evans (MI5 officer)|Jonathan Evans]], former Director General of [[MI5]].


Higson wrote a [[Post-apocalypse|post-apocalyptic]], [[zombie]]-[[Horror (genre)|horror]] series of books for young adults. The eponymous first book in the series, titled ''[[The Enemy (Higson novel)|The Enemy]]'', was released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title=Official Enemy Website | url=http://the-enemy.co.uk/ | access-date=6 June 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729060100/http://the-enemy.co.uk/ | archive-date=29 July 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
Higson wrote a [[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]], [[zombie]]-[[Horror fiction|horror]] series of books for young adults. The eponymous first book in the series, titled ''[[The Enemy (Higson novel)|The Enemy]]'', was released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title=Official Enemy Website | url=http://the-enemy.co.uk/ | access-date=6 June 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729060100/http://the-enemy.co.uk/ | archive-date=29 July 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
At a school event at [[Abingdon School]] on 14 September 2011, Charlie told children: "Originally it was going to be three books and then my publisher, [[Puffin Books|Puffin]], said make it five, and now we're up to it being seven."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mostly-books.blogspot.com/2011/09/master-class-in-dealing-with-undead.html |title=mostly books blog: A master class in dealing with the undead |publisher=Mostly-books.blogspot.com |date=15 September 2011 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> The seventh novel, ''[[The End (Higson novel)|The End]]'', was published in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/oct/30/charlie-higson-the-enemy-interview|title=Charlie Higson: 'The Enemy series is my own zombie survival plan'|last1=sapphirebooklover|first2=Charlie|last2=Higson|date=30 October 2015|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
At a school event at [[Abingdon School]] on 14 September 2011, Charlie told children: "Originally it was going to be three books and then my publisher, [[Puffin Books|Puffin]], said make it five, and now we're up to it being seven."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mostly-books.blogspot.com/2011/09/master-class-in-dealing-with-undead.html |title=mostly books blog: A master class in dealing with the undead |publisher=Mostly-books.blogspot.com |date=15 September 2011 |access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref> The seventh novel, ''[[The End (Higson novel)|The End]]'', was published in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/oct/30/charlie-higson-the-enemy-interview|title=Charlie Higson: 'The Enemy series is my own zombie survival plan'|last1=sapphirebooklover|first2=Charlie|last2=Higson|date=30 October 2015|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>


In 2018 Higson wrote a ''[[Fighting Fantasy]]'' gamebook titled The Gates of Death, which was published by Scholastic books as part of their campaign to relaunch the ''Fighting Fantasy'' franchise. He is a long term ''FF'' enthusiast, having attended Fighting Fantasy Fest 2 in London the previous year and also made a cameo appearance in the [[Ian Livingstone]] gamebook ''Blood of the Zombies''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightingfantasy.com/charlie-higson-interview |title=Fighting Fantasy Interview with Charlie Higson |publisher=fightingfantasy.com |access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref>
In 2018 Higson wrote a ''[[Fighting Fantasy]]'' gamebook titled The Gates of Death, which was published by Scholastic books as part of their campaign to relaunch the ''Fighting Fantasy'' franchise. He is a long term ''FF'' enthusiast, having attended Fighting Fantasy Fest 2 in London the previous year and also made a cameo appearance in the [[Ian Livingstone]] gamebook ''Blood of the Zombies''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightingfantasy.com/charlie-higson-interview |title=Fighting Fantasy Interview with Charlie Higson |publisher=fightingfantasy.com |access-date=9 April 2018}}</ref>

In May 2023 Higson released his first adult Bond novel, ''On His Majesty's Secret Service'', to mark the [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla|Coronation of King Charles III]] and support the [[National Literacy Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/james-bond-king-charles-coronation-on-his-majestys-secret-service-1235569901/ |title=New James Bond Story 'On His Majesty's Secret Service' Commissioned to Celebrate King Charles' Coronation |first=Naman |last=Ramachandran |date=31 March 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
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== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! width="33"|Year
! width="33"|Year
! width="225"|Film
! width="225"|Film
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|-
|-
|1994
|1994
|''Suite 16''
|''[[Suite 16 (film)|Suite 16]]''
|
|
|Meteor Film Productions
|Meteor Film Productions
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|-
|-
|1998
|1998
|''The Land Girls''
|''[[The Land Girls]]''
|Subaltern
|Subaltern
|
|
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|-
|-
|2003
|2003
|''[[King of the Ants|King of The Ants]]''
|''[[King of the Ants]]''
|
|
|[[The Asylum]]
|[[The Asylum]]
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=== Television ===
=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
!Year
!Year
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!Role
!Role
!Notes
!Notes
⚫
|-
⚫
|1990–1991
⚫
|''[[Vic Reeves Big Night Out]]''
⚫
|Various characters
⚫
|9 episodes
|-
|-
|1990
|1990
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|Various characters
|Various characters
|Television film, also writer
|Television film, also writer
⚫
|-
⚫
|1990–1991
⚫
|''[[Vic Reeves Big Night Out]]''
⚫
|Various characters
⚫
|9 episodes
|-
|-
|1990–1992
|1990–1992
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|1993–1995
|1993–1995
|''[[The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer]]''
|''[[The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer]]''
|[[Robert DeNiro]]<br />[[Swiss Toni]]<br />Various characters
|[[Robert De Niro]]<br />[[Swiss Toni]]<br />Various characters
|10 episodes
|10 episodes
|-
|-
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|Television film
|Television film
|-
|-
|1999
| rowspan="2" |1999
|''[[Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer]]''
|''[[Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer]]''
|Various characters
|Various characters
|6 episodes
|6 episodes
|-
|-
|1999
|''You Ain't Seen All These, Right?''
|''You Ain't Seen All These, Right?''
|Various characters
|Various characters
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|-
|-
|2000–2001
|2000–2001
|''[[Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)]]''
|''[[Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000 TV series)|Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)]]''
|Various characters
|Various characters
|12 episodes, also writer
|12 episodes, also writer
|-
|-
|2001
| rowspan="2" |2001
|''[[Fun at the Funeral Parlour]]''
|''[[Fun at the Funeral Parlour]]''
|Nutkins
|Nutkins
|1.04 "The Mountains of Doom"
|1.04 "The Mountains of Doom"
|-
|-
|2001
|''[[Happiness (British TV series)|Happiness]]''
|''[[Happiness (British TV series)|Happiness]]''
|Bryan the Counsellor
|Bryan the Counsellor
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|Pat
|Pat
|Television miniseries
|Television miniseries
|-
|2006
|''[[Dick & Dom in da Bungalow]]''
|Himself
|Celebrity 'Bungalow Head'
|-
|-
|2010
|2010
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|Television film, also writer
|Television film, also writer
|-
|-
|2015
| rowspan="2" |2015
|''Professor Branestawm Returns''
|''Professor Branestawm Returns''
|Mayor
|Mayor
|Television film, also writer
|Television film, also writer
|-
|-
|2015
|''[[Jekyll and Hyde (TV series)|Jekyll and Hyde]]''
|''[[Jekyll and Hyde (TV series)|Jekyll and Hyde]]''
|
|
|10 episodes. Creator, showrunner
|10 episodes. Creator, showrunner
|-
|-
|2017
| rowspan="2" |2017
|''[[Broadchurch (TV series)|Broadchurch]]''
|''[[Broadchurch (TV series)|Broadchurch]]''
|Ian Winterman
|Ian Winterman
|7 episodes
|7 episodes
|-
|-
|2017
|''[[Grantchester (TV series)|Grantchester]]''
|''[[Grantchester (TV series)|Grantchester]]''
|Ronnie Maguire
|Ronnie Maguire
|2 episodes
|2 episodes
|-
|2023
|''Mog's Christmas''
|Jolly Uncle (voice)
|Animated television film<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/voice-cast-announced-everyones-favourite-family-cat-mog-comes-channel-4-christmas-2023|title=Voice Cast Announced as Everyone's Favourite Family Cat, Mog, Comes to Channel 4 for Christmas 2023|website=channel4.com/press|accessdate=10 December 2023}}</ref>
|}
|}


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
=== Novels ===
=== Novels ===
*''King of the Ants ''(1992) {{ISBN|0-349-11103-0}}
* ''King of the Ants ''(1992) {{ISBN|0-349-11103-0}}
* ''Happy Now ''(1993) {{ISBN|978-0-241-13363-7}}
* ''Happy Now ''(1993) {{ISBN|978-0-241-13363-7}}
* ''Full Whack'' (1995), {{ISBN|0-241-00287-7}}
* ''Full Whack'' (1995), {{ISBN|0-241-00287-7}}
*''Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen'' (1996) {{ISBN|0-316-88106-6}}
* ''Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen'' (1996) {{ISBN|0-316-88106-6}}
*''Monstroso'' (2010) {{ISBN|978-0-14-132845-4}}
* ''Monstroso'' (2010) {{ISBN|978-0-14-132845-4}}
* ''Whatever Gets You Through the Night'' (2022) ISBN 9781408714287


=== The Enemy ===
=== The Enemy ===
==== The Enemy novels ====
==== The Enemy novels ====
#''[[The Enemy (Higson novel)|The Enemy]]'' (2009) {{ISBN|0-14-138464-6}}
# ''[[The Enemy (Higson novel)|The Enemy]]'' (2009) {{ISBN|0-14-138464-6}}
#''[[The Dead (Higson novel)|The Dead]]'' (2010) {{ISBN|978-0-14-138465-8}}
# ''[[The Dead (Higson novel)|The Dead]]'' (2010) {{ISBN|978-0-14-138465-8}}
#''[[The Fear (Higson novel)|The Fear]]'' (2011) {{ISBN|0-14-138466-2}}
# ''[[The Fear (Higson novel)|The Fear]]'' (2011) {{ISBN|0-14-138466-2}}
#''[[The Sacrifice (Higson novel)|The Sacrifice]]'' (2012) {{ISBN|978-0-14-133612-1}}
# ''[[The Sacrifice (Higson novel)|The Sacrifice]]'' (2012) {{ISBN|978-0-14-133612-1}}
#''[[The Fallen (Higson novel)|The Fallen]]'' (2013) {{ISBN|978-0-14-133614-5}}
# ''The Fallen'' (2013) {{ISBN|978-0-14-133614-5}}
#''[[The Hunted (Higson novel)|The Hunted]]'' (2014) {{ISBN|9780141336107}}
# ''[[The Hunted (Higson novel)|The Hunted]]'' (2014) {{ISBN|9780141336107}}
#''[[The End (Higson novel)|The End]]'' (2015) ASIN B00Z8PHRKS<ref>{{cite web|website=Mostly-Books|url=http://www.mostly-books.co.uk/2011/09/master-class-in-dealing-with-undead.html|date=15 September 2011|title=A Master Class in Dealing With the Undead|access-date=30 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123106/http://www.mostly-books.co.uk/2011/09/master-class-in-dealing-with-undead.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
# ''[[The End (Higson novel)|The End]]'' (2015) ASIN B00Z8PHRKS<ref>{{cite web|website=Mostly-Books|url=http://www.mostly-books.co.uk/2011/09/master-class-in-dealing-with-undead.html|date=15 September 2011|title=A Master Class in Dealing With the Undead|access-date=30 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123106/http://www.mostly-books.co.uk/2011/09/master-class-in-dealing-with-undead.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==== The Enemy short story ====
==== The Enemy short story ====
*''Geeks vs. Zombies'' (2012) {{ISBN|9780141344249}} (This companion book in the series, released by [[Disney Hyperion]],<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15725055-geeks-vs-zombies|author=Higson, Charlie|title=Geeks vs. Zombies|pages=34 |publisher= Disney Hyperion|date=5 June 2012|isbn= 978-0-14-134424-9}}</ref> portrays an exclusive scene from ''The Fear'', on [[World Book Day]].<ref>{{cite book |url= https://www.amazon.com/Geeks-vs-Zombies-Charlie-Higson-ebook/dp/B0085TJVLM/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415429190&sr=1-6&keywords=charlie+higson|website=Amazon.com| title= Book Description: ''Geeks v. Zombies''|date=2012|publisher=Little, Brown Books for Young Readers}}</ref>)
* ''Geeks vs. Zombies'' (2012) {{ISBN|9780141344249}} (This companion book in the series, released by [[Disney Hyperion]],<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15725055-geeks-vs-zombies|author=Higson, Charlie|title=Geeks vs. Zombies|pages=34 |publisher= Disney Hyperion|date=5 June 2012|isbn= 978-0-14-134424-9}}</ref> portrays an exclusive scene from ''The Fear'', on [[World Book Day]].<ref>{{cite book |url= https://www.amazon.com/Geeks-vs-Zombies-Charlie-Higson-ebook/dp/B0085TJVLM/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1415429190&sr=1-6&keywords=charlie+higson|via=Amazon.com| title= Book Description: ''Geeks v. Zombies''|date=2012|publisher=Little, Brown Books for Young Readers}}</ref>)


=== Young Bond ===
=== Young Bond ===
#''[[SilverFin]]'' (2005), {{ISBN|0-14-131859-7}}
# ''[[SilverFin]]'' (2005), {{ISBN|0-14-131859-7}}
#''[[Blood Fever]]'' (2006), {{ISBN|0-14-131860-0}}
# ''[[Blood Fever]]'' (2006), {{ISBN|0-14-131860-0}}
#''[[Double or Die]]'' (2007), {{ISBN|0-14-132203-9}}
# ''[[Double or Die]]'' (2007), {{ISBN|0-14-132203-9}}
#''[[Hurricane Gold]]'' (2007), {{ISBN|0-14-138391-7}}
# ''[[Hurricane Gold]]'' (2007), {{ISBN|0-14-138391-7}}
#''[[By Royal Command]]'' (2008), {{ISBN|0-14-138451-4}}
# ''[[By Royal Command]]'' (2008), {{ISBN|0-14-138451-4}}
#''SilverFin: The Graphic Novel'' (2008), {{ISBN|978-0-14-132253-7}} (with Kev Walker)
# ''SilverFin: The Graphic Novel'' (2008), {{ISBN|978-0-14-132253-7}} (with [[Kev Walker]])
#''[[Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier]]'' (2009), {{ISBN|978-0-14-132768-6}} (authored short story included in book)
# ''[[Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier]]'' (2009), {{ISBN|978-0-14-132768-6}} (authored short story included in book)


=== Fighting Fantasy ===
=== Fighting Fantasy ===
* ''The Gates of Death'' (2018)
* ''The Gates of Death'' (2018)

=== James Bond ===
* ''On His Majesty's Secret Service'' (2023), {{ISBN|978-1-915-79707-0}}


=== Non-fiction ===
=== Non-fiction ===
*''The 'Fast Show' Book'' (1996), {{ISBN|0-7522-2267-8}} (with Paul Whitehouse)
* ''The 'Fast Show' Book'' (1996), {{ISBN|0-7522-2267-8}} (with [[Paul Whitehouse]])


=== Short stories ===
=== Short stories ===
*"The Red Line" in ''The 'Time Out' Book of Short Stories'', edited by Maria Lexton (1993), {{ISBN|0-14-023085-8}}
* "The Red Line" in ''The 'Time Out' Book of Short Stories'', edited by Maria Lexton (1993), {{ISBN|0-14-023085-8}}
* "The Beast of Babylon" in ''Doctor Who: 11 Doctors, 11 Stories: 11 Doctors, 11 Stories'', with [[Neil Gaiman]], [[Richelle Mead]], [[Eoin Colfer]], [[Marcus Sedgwick]], [[Michael Scott (Irish author)|Michael Scott]], [[Philip Reeve]], [[Patrick Ness]], [[Malorie Blackman]], [[Alex Scarrow]], [[Derek Landy]] (2013), ISBN 978-0-14-134894-0


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website}}
* {{official website}}
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/h/higson_charlie.shtml BBC Talent Guide profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817233652/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/h/higson_charlie.shtml |date=17 August 2014 }}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/h/higson_charlie.shtml BBC Talent Guide profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817233652/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/h/higson_charlie.shtml |date=17 August 2014 }}
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/profiles/charlie_higson.shtml Another BBC profile of Higson]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/profiles/charlie_higson.shtml Another BBC profile of Higson]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080509133606/http://www.mi6.co.uk//sections/literary/index_higson.php3 Higson profile at MI6.co.uk – interview series and biography]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509133606/http://www.mi6.co.uk//sections/literary/index_higson.php3 Higson profile at MI6.co.uk – interview series and biography]
*{{IMDb name|0383666}}
* {{IMDb name|0383666}}
*{{LCAuth|nr94025160|Charlie Higson|14|ue}}
* {{LCAuth|nr94025160|Charlie Higson|14|ue}}
*{{British Comedy Guide|people|charlie_higson}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|charlie_higson}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081218185015/http://youngbonddossier.com/Young_Bond/Interview.html New interview (2008): Charlie in Command]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081218185015/http://youngbonddossier.com/Young_Bond/Interview.html New interview (2008): Charlie in Command]
*[https://portal.uea.ac.uk/library/archives/bacw/higson Charlie Higson Archive, University of East Anglia]
* [https://portal.uea.ac.uk/library/archives/bacw/higson Charlie Higson Archive, University of East Anglia]


{{The Fast Show|state=autocollapse}}
{{James Bond books|state=autocollapse}}
{{James Bond books|state=autocollapse}}


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Latest revision as of 19:24, 7 November 2024

Charlie Higson
Higson at the 2013 British Comedy Awards
Born
Charles Murray Higson

(1958-07-03) 3 July 1958 (age 66)
Frome, Somerset, England
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, author
Years active1980–present
Spouse
Victoria L Fullick
​
(m. 1995)​
Children3

Charles Murray Higson (born 3 July 1958) is an English actor, comedian, author and former singer. He has also written and produced for television and is the author of the young adult post-apocalyptic book series The Enemy, as well as the first five novels in the Young Bond series.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Frome, Somerset, Higson was educated at Sevenoaks School, Kent and at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich (where his brother taught from 1986 to 2008, latterly as Professor of Film Studies). At UEA, Higson met Paul Whitehouse, David Cummings and Terry Edwards. Higson, Cummings and Edwards formed the band The Higsons, of which Higson was the lead singer from 1980 to 1986. They released two singles on the Specials' 2 Tone Records label. This was after he had formed the punk band The Right Hand Lovers, wherein he performed as "Switch".[1] Higson then started squatting in London[2] and became a decorator, including decorating the house of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.[3]

Career

[edit]

Higson started writing for Harry Enfield with Paul Whitehouse and performing comedy. He came to public attention as one of the main writers and performers of the BBC Two sketch show The Fast Show (1994–2000). He also worked with Whitehouse on the radio comedy Down the Line.[4] In 1994 Higson co-wrote (with Lise Mayer) the screenplay for the film thriller Suite 16.

He worked as producer, writer, director and occasional guest star on Randall & Hopkirk from 2000 to 2001. Subsequent television work has included writing and starring in BBC Three's Fast Show spin-off sitcom Swiss Toni. He first appeared as a panellist on QI in 2007. In 2010 he co-directed and starred in the series Bellamy's People.

In 2013 Higson adapted Agatha Christie's A Caribbean Mystery for ITV's Agatha Christie's Marple series. In 2015 Higson reimagined the novel Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson for ITV Studios into a ten part adventure series, set in the 1930s titled Jekyll and Hyde. In 2017, Higson appeared as Ian Winterman in series three of Broadchurch and as Ronnie Maguire in series three of Grantchester.

2020 saw Higson compete on Richard Osman's House of Games.[5] alongside Chizzy Akudolu, Kate Williams and Tom Allen.[6]

Higson has also starred in Lobby Land, a radio sitcom on BBC Radio 4, as Tom Shriver MP.[7]

Books

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Time Out has described Higson as "The missing link between Dick Emery and Bret Easton Ellis".[8]

Higson wrote a series of five Young Bond novels, aimed at younger readers and concentrating on James Bond's school-days at Eton starting with SilverFin, released in 2005, and ending with By Royal Command (2008).[9] Higson had been at school with Jonathan Evans, former Director General of MI5.

Higson wrote a post-apocalyptic, zombie-horror series of books for young adults. The eponymous first book in the series, titled The Enemy, was released in 2009.[10] At a school event at Abingdon School on 14 September 2011, Charlie told children: "Originally it was going to be three books and then my publisher, Puffin, said make it five, and now we're up to it being seven."[11] The seventh novel, The End, was published in 2015.[12]

In 2018 Higson wrote a Fighting Fantasy gamebook titled The Gates of Death, which was published by Scholastic books as part of their campaign to relaunch the Fighting Fantasy franchise. He is a long term FF enthusiast, having attended Fighting Fantasy Fest 2 in London the previous year and also made a cameo appearance in the Ian Livingstone gamebook Blood of the Zombies.[13]

In May 2023 Higson released his first adult Bond novel, On His Majesty's Secret Service, to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and support the National Literacy Trust.[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Higson lives in London with his wife and three sons.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Film Role Distributor Notes
1994 Suite 16 Meteor Film Productions Co-writer
1996 Shooting Stars: Unviewed and Nude Alan Ball / Hans Solo Uncredited
1998 The Land Girls Subaltern Uncredited
1998 The Fast Show Live Various characters
2003 King of the Ants The Asylum writer
2013 Appearance Charlie Higson Short film
2014 The Red Line Barman Short film
2017 The Ministry of Stories Anthology of Horror Hydra

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1990 The Craig Ferguson Show Various characters Television film, also writer
1990–1991 Vic Reeves Big Night Out Various characters 9 episodes
1990–1992 Harry Enfield's Television Programme Various characters 4 episodes, also writer
1993–1995 The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer Robert De Niro
Swiss Toni
Various characters 		10 episodes
1994–2014 The Fast Show Swiss Toni
Various characters 		25 episodes, also writer
1997 It's Ulrika! Various characters Television film
1998 Ted & Ralph Ralph Mayhew
Aunt Cecilia
Ralph's Father 		Television film
1999 Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer Various characters 6 episodes
You Ain't Seen All These, Right? Various characters Television film
2000–2001 Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Various characters 12 episodes, also writer
2001 Fun at the Funeral Parlour Nutkins 1.04 "The Mountains of Doom"
Happiness Bryan the Counsellor 1.04 "Desperate Dan"
2003 The Fast Show Farewell Tour Various characters Television film, also writer
2003–2004 Swiss Toni Swiss Toni 16 episodes, also writer
2004 Catterick Pat Television miniseries
2006 Dick & Dom in da Bungalow Himself Celebrity 'Bungalow Head'
2010 Bellamy's People Various characters 1.01 "Episode One"
2010–2012 Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul Bunny 5 episodes
2011 The Fast Show Faster Swiss Toni / Various characters 3 episodes
2013 Marple James Bond 6.01 "A Caribbean Mystery", also writer
2014 The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm The Mayor Television film, also writer
2015 Professor Branestawm Returns Mayor Television film, also writer
Jekyll and Hyde 10 episodes. Creator, showrunner
2017 Broadchurch Ian Winterman 7 episodes
Grantchester Ronnie Maguire 2 episodes
2023 Mog's Christmas Jolly Uncle (voice) Animated television film[15]

Bibliography

[edit]

Novels

[edit]
  • King of the Ants (1992) ISBN 0-349-11103-0
  • Happy Now (1993) ISBN 978-0-241-13363-7
  • Full Whack (1995), ISBN 0-241-00287-7
  • Getting Rid of Mister Kitchen (1996) ISBN 0-316-88106-6
  • Monstroso (2010) ISBN 978-0-14-132845-4
  • Whatever Gets You Through the Night (2022) ISBN 9781408714287

The Enemy

[edit]

The Enemy novels

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  1. The Enemy (2009) ISBN 0-14-138464-6
  2. The Dead (2010) ISBN 978-0-14-138465-8
  3. The Fear (2011) ISBN 0-14-138466-2
  4. The Sacrifice (2012) ISBN 978-0-14-133612-1
  5. The Fallen (2013) ISBN 978-0-14-133614-5
  6. The Hunted (2014) ISBN 9780141336107
  7. The End (2015) ASIN B00Z8PHRKS[16]

The Enemy short story

[edit]

Young Bond

[edit]
  1. SilverFin (2005), ISBN 0-14-131859-7
  2. Blood Fever (2006), ISBN 0-14-131860-0
  3. Double or Die (2007), ISBN 0-14-132203-9
  4. Hurricane Gold (2007), ISBN 0-14-138391-7
  5. By Royal Command (2008), ISBN 0-14-138451-4
  6. SilverFin: The Graphic Novel (2008), ISBN 978-0-14-132253-7 (with Kev Walker)
  7. Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier (2009), ISBN 978-0-14-132768-6 (authored short story included in book)

Fighting Fantasy

[edit]
  • The Gates of Death (2018)

James Bond

[edit]

Non-fiction

[edit]

Short stories

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Odell, Michael (31 August 2008). "This much I know: Charlie Higson, author, 50, London – Life and style – The Observer". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  2. ^ Charlie Higson (October 2015). "Charlie Higson: my days squatting with Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse". The Guardian.
  3. ^ according to Stephen Fry on the QI programme (Series D, Episode 12) (repeated on the channel Dave, 21 July 2009)
  4. ^ Byrne, Ciar (1 October 2007). "Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson: Making (radio) waves". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
  5. ^ "BBC Two – Richard Osman's House of Games". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Episode #2.25". IMDb.com. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Lobby Land". BBC. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Quoted on Publisher's webpage". Little,Brown on 'Full Whack'. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
  9. ^ "By Royal Command official announcement". The Young Bond Dossier. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
  10. ^ "Official Enemy Website". Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  11. ^ "mostly books blog: A master class in dealing with the undead". Mostly-books.blogspot.com. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  12. ^ sapphirebooklover; Higson, Charlie (30 October 2015). "Charlie Higson: 'The Enemy series is my own zombie survival plan'". The Guardian.
  13. ^ "Fighting Fantasy Interview with Charlie Higson". fightingfantasy.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  14. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (31 March 2023). "New James Bond Story 'On His Majesty's Secret Service' Commissioned to Celebrate King Charles' Coronation". Variety.
  15. ^ "Voice Cast Announced as Everyone's Favourite Family Cat, Mog, Comes to Channel 4 for Christmas 2023". channel4.com/press. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  16. ^ "A Master Class in Dealing With the Undead". Mostly-Books. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  17. ^ Higson, Charlie (5 June 2012). Geeks vs. Zombies. Disney Hyperion. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-14-134424-9.
  18. ^ Book Description: Geeks v. Zombies. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2012 – via Amazon.com.
[edit]
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