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Jon Plowman

Producer · Born July 4, 1953 (73) · Welwyn Garden City, England United Kingdom

Plowman was educated in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and at University College, Oxford, where was a member of the University College Players and made friends with others who went on to establish successful careers in comedy. One, Mel Smith, directed Plowman in a production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. After Oxford, Plowman followed Smith to the Royal Court Theatre, where he met the director Lindsay Anderson. Plowman worked in theatre for a while, then joined Granada TV. He was responsible for producing and commissioning programmes produced in-house at the BBC, of which the greatest successes include The Office and French & Saunders. Plowman became Head of Comedy in October 2005, and oversaw the BBC's in-house comedy production, but no longer commissioned programmes. In June 2007, Plowman announced he was quitting his post at the BBC after 27 years. He decided to become a freelance producer for other shows and hoped to carry on his relationship with the BBC, continuing to create programmes "for them and elsewhere." In December 2003, The Observer named him in its list of the '50 Funniest or Most Influential People in British Comedy'. On 14 March 2006, he was honoured with the 'Judges' Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Television' at the Royal Television Society awards. Later he moved into the world of theatre. He co-produced Lucky You, the Carl Hiaasen best-seller that premiered as a theatre production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2008.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 4, 1953 (73)
From
Welwyn Garden City, England United Kingdom
Works as
Producer
Titles
22 on MovieCove · 66 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 40% in 30 days

What are Jon Plowman's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
39%
Society
30%
Bonds
23%
Power
4%
Ideas
2%
Survival
2%
Friendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 4 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 2 · Wry 1 · Earnest 1

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 3 · Serious 1 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 1 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 3 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 2 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 0 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 3 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
10
Joyful
5
Warm
5
Melancholic
3
Bittersweet
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Fun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jon Plowman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 22 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jon Plowman's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

66 credits, 22 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out(2024)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • All My Friends Hate Me(2021)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Vicar of Dibley: In Lockdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Writer

  • The Devil of Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Producer

  • Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie(2016)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer

  • The 12 Days of Christine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer

  • La Couchette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer

  • The Harrowing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • The Understudy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • Last Gasp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • Tom & Gerri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • A Quiet Night In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • Sardines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • Inside No. 9(2014)

    Show 18 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • W1A(2014)

    Show Producer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Way to Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Twenty Twelve(2011)

    Show 13 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Robert's Web (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer

  • Psychoville Halloween Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Executive Producer

  • Roger & Val Have Just Got In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer

  • Psychoville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 13 episodes · Producer

  • Beautiful People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 12 episodes · Executive Producer · as Father Piers

  • The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Spinners and Losers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Executive Producer

  • HR (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Executive Producer

  • Clatterford(2006)

    Show 13 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • That Mitchell and Webb Look (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 24 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Time Trumpet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Hyperdrive(2006)

    Show Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Broken News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer

  • Love Soup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 18 episodes · Producer

  • Extras(2005)

    Show 12 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Thick of It(2005)

    Show 21 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Robinsons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Mama Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Security (uncredited)

  • Doctors and Nurses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Absolute Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 12 episodes · Producer

  • Dead Ringers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 40 episodes · Producer

  • 15 Storeys High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 12 episodes · Producer

  • The Best of French & Saunders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Producer

  • The Office(2001)

    Show 12 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Victoria Wood: With All the Trimmings(2000)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Mirrorball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Producer

  • The Big Impression (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 19 episodes · Producer

  • People Like Us(1999)

    Show 12 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Let Them Eat Cake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · Producer

  • Sir Bernard's Stately Homes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

  • The League of Gentlemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 18 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Gimme Gimme Gimme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 18 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Absolutely Fabulous: A Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Executive Producer

  • In the Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · Executive Producer

  • This Morning with Richard Not Judy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 18 episodes · Producer

  • Goodness Gracious Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 22 episodes · Producer

  • Absolutely Fabulous: The Last Shout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Producer

  • How to Be Absolutely Fabulous(1995)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Vicar of Dibley(1994)

    Show 14 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Smashie and Nicey's Top of the Pops Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Producer

  • Absolutely Fabulous(1992)

    Show 34 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Murder Most Horrid(1991)

    Show 24 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Bottom(1991)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • A Bit of Fry and Laurie(1987)

    Show 19 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • French & Saunders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 39 episodes · Executive Producer · Producer

  • Alas Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 62 episodes · Producer

  • Alfresco(1983)

    Show 13 episodes · Researcher

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Absolution(1978)

    as Father Piers

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 64 titles from 1978 to 2024.

Biggest box office

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)

$39M worldwide

Highest rated

The Office (2001)

Midcredits 94th

Film career

  • 1978Screen debut· Absolution

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting3 of 64: 2 only acting, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 64: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing60 of 64: 59 only producing, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score91stOther crew1 of 64: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s4 · crew1990s16 · crew2000s23 · 2 acting · 22 crew2010s17 · crew2020s3 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Jon Plowman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 75th percentile, the median of all 6; across a limited sample of 4 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 4

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 22 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · producer

How to Be Absolutely Fabulous (1995)

69th percentile spread · 12% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

The Thick of It (2005)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Jon Plowman's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 50 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Jon Plowman work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jon Plowman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jennifer Saunders shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles