Tom Basden

Born in Sutton, Greater London, on November 30, 1980, Tom Basden is a British actor, screenwriter, playwright, humorist and composer. A graduate of Oxford University, where he was a member of the prestigious Oxford University Dramatic Society, he first came to prominence on the British comedy scene in the 2000s, as a stand-up comedian and member of the Cowards collective. Winner of the "Best Newcomer" award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007 for his show Tom Basden: Won't Say Anything, he quickly established himself as an original voice in British comedy. He is also an acclaimed playwright, with plays such as Party (2009), adapted as a radio series on BBC Radio 4, and Joseph K (2010), a contemporary retelling of Kafka's novel. On television, he has distinguished himself as a writer and actor, notably in series such as Plebs (which he co-wrote and in which he played the role of Aurelius), Ricky Gervais' After Life, Here We Go and The Wrong Mans. Alongside his writing and acting activities, Tom Basden is also a composer and musician, having penned the music for several of his projects. In 2022, he unveiled an unexpected project, the soundtrack to the film The Ballad of Wallis Island, featuring songs performed by actress Carey Mulligan. This album, a blend of folk and acoustic arrangements, reached number 50 in the UK Sountrack Albums charts.