Ben Miller

Ben Miller

Ben Miller studied for a PhD in physics (specifically "novel quantum effects in quasi zero-dimensional mesoscopic electrical systems") at Cambridge University, where he was also a member of the Footlights comedy troupe.

He met his comedy partner Alexander Armstrong in 1991, when they started performing together in the TBA sketch night in Notting Hill, West London.

But 1998 was their breakthrough year, when they landed a Radio 4 series and a TV series, produced for Channel 4 and the Paramount Comedy Channel.

The show ran for four series and included such characters as Scandinavian heavy metal band Strijka, the drama Nude Practice and hip middle-class presenters Craig Children and Martin Bain-Jones.

They dissolved their partnership in 2000, to forge their separate careers

Miller went on to appear in two series and a Christmas special of the BBC One sitcom The Worst Week Of My Life, and other TV shows including Primeval and Channel 4 sitcom The Book Group .

He has also appeared in films including Razzle Dazzle, co-written by stand-up Robin Ince, and Steve Coogan’s The Parole Officer.

He reunited with Armstrong for one-off charity gig in London celebrity hangout The Groucho Club in 2005, which reignited their partnership, and led to their prime-time BBC One show in autumn 2007.

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Ben Miller and Sally Phillips film new Australian comedy

'It's a show about neurodiversity and acceptance'

Ben Miller and Sally Phillips have started filming a new comedy in Australia.

In Austin, which is being shot in Canberra, the British comedy stars play a much-loved children’s author, Julian, and his illustrator wife, Ingrid, 

Both their careers appear over when Julian inadvertently causes a social media storm -  until Austin (Michael Theo), the neurodivergent son that Julian never knew existed, turns up out of the blue.

Producers Northern Pictures say: 'Could embracing this modern nuclear family be Julian’s route back from cancellation? Will Ingrid forgive him for being such a pompous shit? One thing is for certain: if Julian thinks Austin is going to be a push over, he’s in for a rude awakening.'

Theo is making his acting debut on the comedy, having previously been on reality show Love on the Spectrum, currently available on Netflix in the UK.

The show is being made for the ABC in Australia, where it will air next year, in association with ITV Studios.

ABC's head of scripted programming, Rachel Okine, said: 'Everyone loved Michael Theo when he opened his heart to us in Love on the Spectrum, and they’re going to love him all over again when he shows off his comic chops alongside comedy legends Ben Miller and Sally Phillips in this humorous and heart-warming international series.'

The show is backed by Screen Australia, whose head of content, Grainne Brunsdon, added: 'At its heart, Austin is a show about neurodiversity and acceptance.

'This funny and original comedy series, starring the incredibly talented and much-loved Michael Theo, alongside comedy legends Ben Miller and Sally Phillips will bring laughter, joy and a flurry of heart-warming moments to our screens.

'Austin is a testament to the power of storytelling in promoting inclusivity, and we're absolutely delighted to be part of this series.'

Austin was written and created by Miller alongside British writing duo  Lloyd Woolf and Joe Tucker - who penned Witless and Click & Collect in the UK -  Australian writer-directors Darren Ashton and Kala Ellis and actor-director Adam Zwar.

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Published: 12 Nov 2023

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Agent

We do not currently hold contact details for Ben Miller's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.

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