Jim Howick – Biography, TV Shows and Career Highlights

Jim Howick is an English actor, writer, and producer best known for his work across some of the most popular British comedy series of the last two decades. From the awkward office politics of Peep Show to the supernatural antics of Ghosts, Howick has built a career defined by versatility and a sharp comedic instinct.

Born on 14 May 1979 in Chichester, Sussex, Howick studied at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating with First Class Honours in 2000. His training laid the groundwork for a career that would span television, film, and theatre, often in collaboration with the same tight-knit group of writers and performers.

Howick is perhaps most widely recognised for his role as Mr. Hendricks in the Netflix hit Sex Education and as a co-creator and star of the BBC sitcom Ghosts. He is also a core member of the comedy collective Them There, with whom he has written and performed in Horrible Histories and Yonderland.

Who Is Jim Howick? Biography and Background

• Jim Howick is a versatile English actor and writer who has built a career across television, film, and theatre over two decades.
• He is best known for his comedic roles in Peep Show (as various characters), Horrible Histories (as a regular performer), and Ghosts (which he co-created and starred in).
• Howick demonstrated dramatic range with his role as Mr. Hendricks in the Netflix hit Sex Education.
• His writing partnership with the Horrible Histories team led to the creation of the critically acclaimed BBC sitcom Ghosts.
• Howick continues to be active in theatre, with recent West End credits and the BBC sitcom Here We Go.

What TV Shows Has Jim Howick Been In?

Jim Howick’s television career is extensive and spans multiple genres, from sketch comedy to sitcoms and drama. He is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Gerard in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show, which ran from 2007 to 2012. His portrayal of the awkward and often hapless character became a fan favourite.

From 2009 to 2013, Howick was a regular cast member of the BAFTA-winning CBBC series Horrible Histories, where he played a wide variety of historical figures. The show’s success led to a spin-off film, Bill (2015), in which Howick also appeared.

In 2019, Howick took on the role of Mr. Hendricks (also known as Colin Hendricks) in the Netflix series Sex Education. The character, a well-meaning but often awkward teacher, became a beloved part of the show’s ensemble cast. The series ran for four seasons until 2023.

That same year, Howick co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the BBC sitcom Ghosts, playing the role of Patrick Butcher. The show, which follows a group of ghosts haunting a country house, was a critical and commercial success, running for five series until 2023.

More recently, Howick has starred as Paul Jessop in the BBC sitcom Here We Go, a role he has played since 2020. The show, a mockumentary-style family comedy, has been praised for its warm humour and strong ensemble cast.

What Role Did Jim Howick Play in Peep Show?

In Peep Show, Jim Howick played Gerard, a colleague of the main characters Mark and Jeremy. Gerard is known for his awkward social interactions and his tendency to be the butt of jokes. The role showcased Howick’s ability to create memorable characters with limited screen time.

Is Jim Howick in Sex Education?

Yes, Jim Howick played Mr. Colin Hendricks in the Netflix series Sex Education. His character is a teacher at Moordale Secondary School who often finds himself in uncomfortable situations. The role demonstrated Howick’s range beyond pure comedy, as the character also had moments of genuine warmth and vulnerability.

Did Jim Howick Create Ghosts?

Jim Howick is a co-creator, co-writer, and co-star of the BBC sitcom Ghosts. He developed the show alongside the other members of the comedy collective Them There, including Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Laurence Rickard, and Ben Willbond. Howick also served as an executive producer on the series.

What Is Jim Howick’s Role in Here We Go?

In the BBC sitcom Here We Go, Jim Howick plays Paul Jessop, the father of the Jessop family. The show is a mockumentary that follows the family’s chaotic but loving dynamics. Howick’s performance as the well-meaning but often exasperated father has been widely praised.

What Movies and Theatre Work Has Jim Howick Done?

Jim Howick’s film career began with a role in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy (2004), where he played Cpl. Matlin. The film, based on the Dark Horse Comics character, was a major production and gave Howick an early opportunity to work on a large-scale project.

He later appeared in the comedy film Bill (2015), a spin-off from Horrible Histories that imagines the early life of William Shakespeare. Howick played multiple roles in the film, showcasing his versatility as a performer.

On stage, Howick’s theatre work is less extensively documented in public sources, but his training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and his continued presence in West End productions confirm his commitment to live performance. His theatre credits are not fully listed in the available sources, but his profile on West End Theatre indicates ongoing stage work.

Is Jim Howick Also a Writer?

Yes, Jim Howick is an accomplished writer, primarily as part of the comedy collective Them There. His writing credits include Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts. For Ghosts, he is credited as a co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer, in addition to his acting role.

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts describes Howick as a “BAFTA-winning actor” and a “multi-BAFTA nominated writer,” highlighting the recognition his writing has received. His work on Horrible Histories earned the show multiple BAFTA Children’s Awards, and Ghosts was nominated for several BAFTAs.

Howick’s writing is characterised by sharp wit, historical humour, and a strong sense of character. His partnership with the Them There collective has been central to his success, allowing him to develop projects that showcase both his writing and performing talents.

Jim Howick Career Timeline

1. 1979: Born on 14 May in Chichester, Sussex, England.
2. 2004: Film debut in Hellboy as a young agent.
3. 2007–2012: Appears in multiple roles in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show.
4. 2009–2013: Regular cast member of the BAFTA-winning CBBC series Horrible Histories.
5. 2019–2023: Co-creates, co-writes, and stars in the BBC sitcom Ghosts.
6. 2019–2023: Plays Mr. Hendricks in the Netflix series Sex Education.
7. 2020–present: Stars as Paul in the BBC sitcom Here We Go.
8. 2025: Continues theatre work with West End credits; active on social media.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Jim Howick?

Analysis and Context: Jim Howick’s Career

Jim Howick represents a successful model of the British comedy actor-writer, emerging from the sketch comedy scene (Horrible Histories) to create his own hit sitcom (Ghosts). His career demonstrates the value of creative partnerships, as many of his projects involve the same core group of writers and performers. His transition from children’s television to adult comedy and drama (Sex Education) shows versatility. The continued success of Here We Go and ongoing theatre work suggests a sustained career trajectory.

Sources and Quotations

The following sources were used to compile this article. They provide a comprehensive overview of Jim Howick’s career and background.

“Jim Howick is a BAFTA-winning actor and multi-BAFTA nominated writer.”

— Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts profile

“Howick is best known for his roles in Peep Show, Sex Education, Ghosts, Horrible Histories, and Here We Go.”

— Wikipedia

“He is a co-creator, co-writer, and co-star of the BBC sitcom Ghosts.”

— Ghosts BBC Fandom

Summary: What Is Jim Howick’s Career Legacy?

Jim Howick has established himself as a key figure in British comedy, with a career that spans television, film, and theatre. From his early work on Peep Show to his co-creation of Ghosts, he has demonstrated a consistent ability to create memorable characters and successful shows. His ongoing role in Here We Go and continued theatre work suggest that his career will continue to evolve. For more on British comedy actors, see our guide to British Comedy Actors: A Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jim Howick