Emily Woof

Her third novel Ecstatic was acquired by Wilton Square Books and is due to be published in August 2026. She is also known for film and TV roles including Nancy in Alan Bleasedale's ITV adaptation of Oliver Twist with Andy Serkis as Bill Sykes, The Full Monty, The Woodlanders, Velvet Goldmine directed by Todd Haynes, Wondrous Oblivion, Silent Cry and The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse.

• Name — Emily Woof • Birthplace — Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England • Occupation — Actress and author • Parents — Dr Robert Woof • Alma Mater — Oxford University École Philippe Gaulier Lancaster University • Spouse — Hamish McColl • Children — 2

Woof was brought up in Newcastle upon Tyne and attended Heaton Comprehensive School. She went on to study English at Oxford University. Her father was the first director of the Wordsworth Trust, Robert Woof. Woof interrupted her degree to train in physical theatre and clown under Philippe Gaulier and Monika Pagneux at École Philippe Gaulier in Paris. She went on to train in trapeze at FoolTime in Bristol, and London's Circus Space. Woof received a full scholarship to study at Lancaster University where she completed a PhD in Contemporary Arts in 2025. […]

Her first novel, The Whole Wide Beauty, was published in May 2010 by Faber & Faber. Her second novel The Lightning Tree was also published by Faber, in March 2015. Her third novel Ecstatic was acquired by Wilton Square Books and is due to be published in August 2026. For BBC radio, she wrote Pianoman, Baby Love, and Home to The Black Sea. She has written and directed two short films, Between The Wars, and Meeting Helen.

Woof began writing and performing her own work while at university. Her early stage work included a trilogy of shows about gender Sex, Sex II, Sex III, […]. Sex III won a Fringe First and Perrier Pick of the Fringe, and was performed at The Royal Court Theatre. Her stage work combines music, dance and storytelling. She wrote and performed Blizzard, produced by Soho Theatre in association with Shared Experience. The production ran in May 2024 and later at 59E59 Theaters in New York. […] Blizzard received the 2025 Offie for Creation. She re-wrote and performed and earlier work Revolver in 2025 and performed for seven nights at The Pleasance, Edinburgh. She will perform Revolver at Soho Theatre November 24th-December 5th 2026.

Woof is married to fellow actor/writer Hamish McColl. The couple have two children and live in North London.

• Film • Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1997 — The Full Monty — Mandy • Photographing Fairies — Linda • The Woodlanders — Grace Melbury • 1998 — Velvet Goldmine — Shannon • 1999 — This Year's Love — Alice • Passion — Karen Holten • 2000 — Pandaemonium — Dorothy Wordsworth • 2003 — Wondrous Oblivion — Ruth Wiseman • 2005 — The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse — Lindsay • 2021 — Mothering Sunday — Mrs. Sheringham • Television • Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1999–2000 — Oliver Twist — Nancy — Miniseries – 3 episodes • 1999–2000 — Daylight Robbery — Paula Sullivan — 2 Miniseries – 8 episodes • 2005 — Nova — Lise Meitner — Season 33, Episode 3 "Einstein's Big Idea" • Ian Fleming: Bondmaker — Ann Fleming — BBC docudrama • 2014 — The Smoke — Nina — 2 episodes • Short films • Going Going... as Anna (2000 short film – actor and writer) • Between the Wars (2002 short film – director) • Meeting Helen... as Helen (2007 short film – actor, writer and director)

Emily Woof is recorded with the occupation film director. Recorded as actress, screenwriter, director and writer.