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Sally Elizabeth Phillips (born 10 May 1970 Phillips' X account.) is an English actress, comedian and television presenter. She co-created and was one of the writers of the sketch comedy show Smack the Pony. She is also known for her roles in Jam & Jerusalem as Natasha "Tash" Vine, Miranda as Tilly, I'm Alan Partridge as Sophie, Parents as Jenny Pope, Set the Thames on Fire as Colette in 2015, Zapped as Slasher Morgan, and her guest appearances as the fictional Prime Minister of Finland, Minna Häkkinen, in the US TV series Veep. Phillips also co-starred in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as Mrs Bennet and in the role of Shazzer in all four films of the Bridget Jones franchise.
From 2004 to 2019, Phillips played the title role in the BBC Radio 4 comedy show Clare in the Community. In 2018 she was curator for series 12 of The Museum of Curiosity on BBC Radio 4.
Phillips read Italian language and linguistics at New College, Oxford, where she joined the Oxford Revue, playing mostly male parts, alongside contemporaries including Stewart Lee and Richard Herring (who went on to have their own television show, Fist of Fun, in which Phillips appeared as "the girl who smells of Spam"). She then co-wrote and performed the one-woman show Benadetta, the Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, based on a true story. She appeared in the 1990 Oxford Revue THRASH, which also starred Ed Smith.
Phillips gained a first-class honours degree, and applied to write a PhD on the Spaghetti Western. However, she changed her mind, and instead studied drama with the Théâtre de Complicité.
In 1997, Phillips had a starring role in the short-lived 1999 British comedy series Hippies with Simon Pegg and Julian Rhind-Tutt. Phillips garnered a nomination for best female newcomer at the 1999 British Comedy Awards as she, along with Fiona Allen and Doon Mackichan, co-created, wrote, and performed in Smack the Pony.
In 2001, she took the starring role in the David Nicholls series Rescue Me for BBC1. She also wrote episodes for the animation Bob and Margaret.
In 2003, she was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy.
In 2004, she took the title role in the BBC radio sitcom Clare in the Community which ended after 74 episodes in 2019. In August 2005, she returned to the stage after a long absence, in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest at the Oxford Playhouse. In 2006, she appeared in the Australian comedy feature BoyTown; on television, she appeared as Clare Winchester in the BBC2 science fiction comedy Hyperdrive.
In the second series of Green Wing, Phillips played the character of Holly, whose appearance threatens the blossoming relationship between Mac (Julian Rhind-Tutt) and Caroline (Tamsin Greig). Between 2006 and 2009, she had a recurring role in the BBC's comedy Jam & Jerusalem.
In 2009, Phillips took the role of Tilly in Miranda as Miranda Hart's character's irritating upper-class friend. The series found critical success and Phillips remained a part of the show throughout its duration, from 2009 to 2015.
Her first feature film script, The Decoy Bride, started production in spring 2010. Phillips appeared in a supporting role in the film, playing Emma, a Hollywood assistant. The film was released in February 2012, premièring first on cable television and as a digital download, and then had a limited theatrical release.
In 2012, she played the lead role in the Sky 1 comedy Parents and also appeared in the CBeebies television series Justin's House. The same year, she also appeared in the role of Mr Tumble in Something Special.
In the United States, Phillips has made five appearances in the HBO comedy series Veep as Minna Häkkinen, a fictional Finland prime minister.
In 2014, she narrated the first series of The Supervet on Channel 4.
During 2015, Phillips appeared in several TV shows, notably House of Fools and Death in Paradise. She has also appeared in the comedy Burn Burn Burn as Ingrid, a main character, and also the TV film Distinguished Ladies in which she plays the lead role of Bianca.
Phillips appeared in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) as Mrs Bennet, and as Shazza in Bridget Jones's Baby.
In 2016, she presented the one-off BBC documentary A World Without Down's Syndrome?, which examined the potential impact of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
She appeared in All Star Musicals and Tim Vine in December 2017.
In 2018, she played the scatty new night manager Lou in Trollied.
In 2022, she starred as business owner Gina in Australian comedy film How to Please a Woman.
In 2023, she played Tessa in the Netflix romantic comedy Love at First Sight.
In January 2024, she was a guest co-host on the BBC One quiz show Pointless. She starred as Ingrid in the Australian-British comedy series Austin which premiered in June 2024.
She was married to Andrew Bermejo for 14 years and has three sons from their marriage, one with Down syndrome. As a consequence, she made a documentary about the ethics of medical screening. In 2017, the couple divorced.
Phillips is a Christian. She is a patron of Blue Apple Theatre (Hampshire, UK) which specialises in creating performance work for adults with a learning disability.
Career
Phillips performed at nine consecutive Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, appearing in shows including Ra-Ra-Rasputin, Arthur Smith's version of Hamlet (as Ophelia) and Cluub Zarathustra with Simon Munnery, Stewart Lee, Richard Thomas, Julian Barratt and Lori Lixenburg. Her first television role was in Lee and Herring's Fist of Fun in 1994, followed shortly after by a cameo in Alas Smith and Jones with Mel Smith. In 1995, Phillips played the role of a reporter in the unbroadcast pilot of Chris Morris's spoof series Brass Eye. In Six Pairs Of Pants, six actors produced a number of regular sketches, which developed as the series progressed. The show was written in part by Phillips. Phillips had a role as Sophie, a "Travel Tavern" receptionist in I'm Alan Partridge (1997),
and as Laura in Holding the Baby.
She played radio DJ Gemma White in the TV series In the Red.
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Personal life
In 2002, Phillips was hospitalised with salmonellosis during a charity trip to Mexico. She said the illness led to a brain infection that made her body become a "microbrewery", causing neurological symptoms. Her recovery took months.
Filmography
+Key Denotes works that have not yet been released
Film
2000 Born Romantic Suzy 2001 The Invitation Sarah Short film Bridget Jones's Diary Sharon "Shazza" The Junkies Sal Short film Birthday Girl Karen Mean Machine Tracey 2002 Blowing It Patricia Short film 2004 Tooth Mom Gladiatress Worthaboutapig Sharon "Shazza" Waitress Show Ponies Heidi & Amelia Short film 2006 BoyTown Holly 2010 Huge Herself 2011 The Decoy Bride Emma Also writer 2012 The Actress Second Suitor Short films Animal Charm Audrey Hoober 2014 Rain Kvinnan The Case of the High Foot Hilda Stolf 2015 Set the Thames on Fire Colette Seahorse Martha Short film Burn Burn Burn Ingrid Egg Ivy Short film 2016 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Mrs. Bennet Bridget Jones's Baby Sharon "Shazza" Pregnant Pause Nurse Short film 2017 The Rizen The Suited Woman Blood Shed Helen Short film Ferdinand Greta (voice) You, Me and Him Amy 2018 The More You Ignore Me Marie Henty Little Star Tiny (animated) Short film The Fight Beth Hunter Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Miriam 2019 The Rizen: Possession The Suited Woman Blinded by the Light Mrs. Anderson 2021 Off the Rails Liz Tiny Dancer Mum Short film 2022 How to Please a Woman Gina The Fence Sharon Knight 2023 My Happy Ending Mikey Coffee Wars Lisa Love at First Sight Tessa Jones 2024 Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness Clementine, The General's Wife Twiggy – Associate producer 2025 Sharon "Shazza" The Survivors Will Envy the Dead Short film. Completed The Liar Beryl Post-production Virginia Woolf's Night & Day Cousin Joan The Monk, the Mermaid and Molise Producer. Pre-production
Television
1995 Smith & Jones Various Series 8; Episodes 1 & 3: "Bad Microphones" and "Missing Link" Six Pairs of Pants Various characters Episodes 1–3. Also writer 1995–1996 Fist of Fun Various Series 1 & 2; 7 episodes 1996 It Happened Next Year Various Television film 1997 I'm Alan Partridge Sophie Series 1; Episodes 1–6 Holding the Baby Laura Series 1; Episodes 2 & 7 Cows Pinky Television film (Pilot for series that was cancelled) 1998 Comedy Nation Various characters In the Red Jemma White Mini-series; Episodes 1–3 You Are Here Laura Television film 1999 Kiss Me Kate Natalie Series 2; Episode 6: "On the Couch" Hippies Jill Sprint Episodes 1–6 1999–2003, 2017 Smack the Pony Various characters Series 1-4, and Comic Relief Special; 24 episodes. Also writer 2002 Rescue Me Katie Nash Episodes 1–6 2003 Ready When You Are, Mr. McGill Kelly Television film 2005 French and Saunders Nun Christmas Celebrity Special 2006 Hyperdrive Clare Winchester Series 1; Episode 5: "Clare" Green Wing Holly Hawkes Series 2; Episodes 4–7 The Amazing Mrs Pritchard Meg Bayliss Episodes 2–6 Seven Second Delay Meredith Television film 2006–2009 Jam & Jerusalem Natasha "Tash" Vine Series 1–3; 18 episodes 2008 Harley Street Izzy Episode 3 Little Rikke Mum (voice) Television film 2009 Skins Angela Moon Series 3; Episode 4: "Pandora" Svengali Michelle Television short film 2009–2015 Miranda Tilly Main character. Series 1–3, and 3 Specials; 15 episodes 2010 Abroad Jemima Green Television films Accidental Farmer Kat 2011 New Tricks Samantha Gerson Series 8; Episode 5: "Moving Target" Justin's House Wanda Round Moving On Christina Series 3; Episode 4: "Donor" 2012 Parents Jenny Pope Main character. Episodes 1–6 Them from That Thing Various Mini-series; Episodes 1 & 2 2012–2020 The Undateables Herself - Narrator Series 1–11; 45 episodes 2013 Chickens Miss Trimble Episode 5: "Leper" Something Special Herself - Special Guest Series 5; 1 episode 2013–2019 Veep Minna Häkkinen Series 2, 3 & 5–7; 5 episodes 2014 The Supervet Herself - Narrator Series 1; Episodes 1–4 2015 We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story Ann Croft Television film Death in Paradise Cheryl Moore Series 4; Episode 5: "Swimming in Murder" House of Fools Mary Series 2; Episode 6: "The Whip Affair" Distinguished Ladies Bianca Television film 2016 Galavant Ivanna Series 2; Episode 4: "Bewitched, Bothered, and Belittled" Siblings Aunt Leslie Series 2; Episode 2: "Golden Aunt" Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge Charlie Moran (voice) Series 2; Episode 5: "Massage + Royal Visit" Midsomer Murders Lucy Keswick Series 19; Episode 1: "The Village That Rose from the Dead" Drunk History Mary Series 3; Episode: "Christmas Special" A World Without Down's Syndrome? Herself - Presenter BBC Documentary film 2016–2018 Zapped Slasher Morgan Series 1–3; 6 episodes 2017 Henry IX Queen Katerina Episodes 1–3: "Reigned In", "Exit Strategy" and "Clearing the Air" Hospital People Helena Steel MP, Health Minister Episode 5: "The New Ward" Comedy Playhouse Maid Marion Series 18; Episode 1: "Tim Vine Travels Through Time" Comic Relief Herself - Co-presenter 2017 telethon Taskmaster Herself - Contestant Series 5; Episodes 1–8 Travel Man Herself - Guest traveller Series 5; Episode 4: "Stockholm" All Star Musicals Herself - Performer Television Special Tim Vine Catherine of Aragon Television film (Christmas Special) 2017, 2018 The One Show Herself - Guest presenter 3 episodes 2017–2024 QI Herself - Panellist Series 15–22; 9 episodes 2018 Trollied Lou Chettle Series 7; 6 episodes The Keith & Paddy Picture Show Dr. Ellie Sattler Series 2; Episode 5: "Jurassic Park" Vanity Fair Lady Steyne Mini-series; Episodes 6 & 7 Lip Sync Battle UK Herself - Contestant Series 2; Episode 5: "Robert Webb vs. Sally Phillips" 2018–2019 Tourist Trap Elaine Gibbons Main character. Series 1 & 2; 12 episodes "A new comedy series following the tourist team of Wow Wales, who are tasked with selling Wales to the world." BBC One Wales website 2019 Archibald's Next Big Thing Flurbin (voice) Series 1; Episode 6: "Mountain Mayhem/The Gator Spinner Max" Year of the Rabbit Princess Juliana of Bulgaria Mini-series; Episodes 3–6 2020 Friday Night Dinner Gibby Series 6; Episode 3: "The Au Pair" Sunday Morning Live Herself - Presenter Series 11; 5 episodes 2021 Meet the Richardsons Herself Series 2; 4 episodes (Fictionalised version of herself) Richard Osman's House of Games Herself - Contestant Series 4; Episodes 86–90 (Week 18)
Series 5; Episodes 81–85 (Champions Week 1)2022 Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway Florence Nightingale Series 18; Episode 6 (Segment: "Polter Guys") Breeders Gabby Series 3; Episodes 1, 2 & 9 Murder, They Hope Alex Series 2; Episode 2: "A Midsummer Night's Scream" Pennyworth The Warden Series 3; Episode 7: "Don't Push It" My Life at Christmas Herself - Presenter Series 1; Episodes 1–3 2023 Jerk Monica the Bureaucrat Series 3; Episode 6 Hapless The Caterer Series 2; Episode 2: "The Wedding Planner" My Life at Easter Herself - Presenter Mini-series; Episodes 1 & 2: "Gyles Brandreth" & "Rose Hudson-Wilkin" 2024 The Traitors: The Movie Diane Carson Television film (Segment in Comic Relief: Funny for Money) Big Mood Dr. Burrows Series 1; Episode 3: "Deeper" Queenie Gina Hargadon Episodes 1–3, 5 & 8 Austin Ingrid Hartswood Main role. Series 1; Episodes 1–8. Also executive producer We Might Regret This Jane Series 1; Episodes 1–4 & 6 Pointless Herself - Guest assistant Series 30; Episodes 35–45 TBA The Hairdresser Mysteries Lily Petal Filming
Audiobooks
2022 The Satsuma Complex Bob Mortimer Co-read with Bob Mortimer
External links
Categories: 1970 Births, Living People, Alumni Of New College, Oxford, English Christians, English Film Actresses, English Stage Actresses, English Television Actresses, English Voice Actresses, English Women Comedians, Labour Party People, People Educated At Wycombe Abbey, 20th-century English Actresses, 21st-century English Actresses
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