Daisy Haggard (born March 22, 1978) is an English actress and writer. She gained prominence through her roles in the BBC sitcoms Uncle (2014–2017) and Episodes (2011–2017). With Laura Solon, she co-wrote and starred in the BBC Three comedy-drama Back to Life (2019–2021). For her performance in the FX series Breeders (2020–2023), Haggard received a British Academy Television Award nomination in 2021 for Best Comedy Actress. She also voiced Johanna in the award winning animated series, Hilda (2018–2023).
Early life and education Daisy Haggard was born on March 22, 1978, the daughter of film director Piers Haggard and Australian painter Anna Sklovsky. A member of the Haggard family, her grandfather was the actor Stephen Haggard, and her great-great-great-uncle was the author Sir Henry Rider Haggard.
She was raised in Dulwich, South London, where she attended James Allen's Girls' School. She later attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Career In 1996, Haggard made her acting debut in an episode of ITV crime drama, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries. The episode was directed by her father, and during the auditions, the producer stated that he wanted to audition Daisy, despite opposition from her father, who did not want his daughter to become an actor.
Haggard later graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She appeared in the BBC Three sketch show Man Stroke Woman, and in the Channel 4 sitcom Green Wing as Emmy. She also made an appearance in an episode of Peep Show, playing a nurse who examines Mark Corrigan's testicles, and in the BBC Two comedy Psychoville by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton.
In the 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, Haggard portrayed the role of Miss Steele, the sister of Lucy Steele.
In 2009, she played Donna Mitchell in an episode of the BBC crime drama Ashes to Ashes.
Haggard was also the voice of the Ministry Lift in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.
In 2010, she appeared in the CBC television film Abroad, playing Poppy Young. She also starred in the independent British film Honeymooner.
Haggard played Sophie in the Doctor Who episode "The Lodger", a role she reprised in "Closing Time".
In 2011, she began appearing in the BBC/Showtime comedy Episodes. She portrayed the role of Myra Licht until the series ended in 2017.
In 2012, she starred in the short film Tooty's Wedding, which was later screened at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
Haggard also appeared on the stage, including at the National Theatre and as the title character in Gina Gionfriddo's play Becky Shaw at the Almeida Theatre.
In July 2012, Sky One began airing the series Parents, in which Haggard played the role of Chrissie.
In 2013, she co-starred with Rose Byrne in the British romantic comedy I Give It a Year as Helen. In 2014, she was cast as Sam in the BBC comedy Uncle. In 2016, she appeared in "Nosedive", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.
In 2017, she appeared in the premiere production of Consent at the Royal National Theatre, London.
From 2018 to 2023 Haggard was the voice of Johanna on the Netflix animated series Hilda.
In April 2019, Haggard began playing the lead role of Miri Matteson in BBC Three sitcom Back to Life. The first series, consisting of six episodes, premiered on 15 April 2019 and was followed by a second series in 2021. She also co-wrote and created the series. In 2020 Haggard appeared in the comedy-drama Breeders as Ally.
She plays one of the leads in the 2023 series Boat Story alongside Paterson Joseph.
In 2025, she will direct and co-star in a new thriller series on Channel 4 known as Maya, co-leading with Bella Ramsey. Reuniting with her Hilda co-star, she stated that "Ever since I first dreamt up this show, there has only ever been one Maya. I wrote the part with Bella so clearly in my head and I honestly still can’t believe they want to be part of it. Bella is pure magic, just insanely talented, and I can’t wait for us to work together."
Personal life Haggard is married to musician Joe Wilson and has two daughters.
Filmography Film YearFilm Role Director Notes2002 Club Le MondeJan Simon Rumley2002MaxHeidi Menno Meyjes2002 Nicholas NicklebyJuliet in play Douglas McGrath2007 Hard to SwallowKatie's Sister Mat KirkbyShort film2007 Don't Edgar WrightShort film2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixMinistry Lift (voice) David Yates2007 Prada & PrejudiceWoman Tom EdmundsShort filmAlso producer2010 A Good LifeDaughter Rowan AthaleShort film2010 HoneymoonerJess Col Spector2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1Ministry Lift (voice) David Yates2011 Swinging with the FinkelsLesbian #1 Jonathan Newman2011 Tooty's WeddingTooty Fred CasellaShort film2012 Sell by DateEmma SavageShort film2013 I Give It a YearHelen Dan Mazer2013 Calloused HandsDebbie Jesse Quinones2016 Exploitation Exploitation ExploitationChristie Dan SusmanShort film2016The Way BackFaye John CarlinShort film2016 Charlie CloudheadAudrey Rupert CresswellShort film2018SongbirdOlivia Jamie Adams2021Hilda and the Mountain KingJohanna (voice)Andy CoyleTBAChocolate CakeD'Arcy Jeremy Wooding
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1996 The Ruth Rendell MysteriesSpinny Crossland 9.01 "Heartstones: Part One"9.02 "Heartstones: Part Two"2001 My FamilyDental assistant2.02 "The Unkindest Cut"2001Swivel on the TipVarious characters1.01 "Pilot"2002 Clocking OffSophie 3.02 "Tasha's Story"2002 The DwarfsVirginia Television film2003 ManchildHelen 2.02 Series 2, Episode 22.08 Series 2, Episode 82003 HardwareSarah 1.05 "Women"2003 Peep ShowPractice Nurse 1.06 "Funeral"2003 Ready When You Are, Mr. McGillMaggie Television film2004 Green WingEmmy 4 episodes2004–2005 The Lenny Henry ShowDetective Sergeant Anderson 2 episodes2004 The Last ChancersRachel 1.04 Series 1, Episode 42005 Casanova Coquette 1 1.02 "Episode Two"2005–2006 Comedy LabSarah7.02 "Speeding"8.04 "FM"2005–2007 Man Stroke WomanVarious characters12 episodes 2006–2008 The KNTV ShowKierky / Kierkegaard 14 episodes 2006 New Street LawBecky Crosby 1.06 "Episode Six"2006 SaxondaleDesiree1.03 "Episode Three"2006 Housewife, 49Jill Television film2006 Great NewsEmma Brooks 1.01 "Pilot"2007 The Scum Also RisesEmma Television film2007 Ronni Ancona & CoVarious characters3 episodes2008 Sense & SensibilityMiss Steele Television miniseries2009 Ashes to AshesDonna Mitchell 2.06 "Episode 6"2009–2011 PsychovilleDebbie Hart 8 episodes 2010 The PersuasionistsEmma 6 episodes 2010 AbroadPoppy Young Television film2010–2011 Doctor WhoSophie 5.11 "The Lodger"6.12 "Closing Time"2011–2017 EpisodesMyra Licht 26 episodes 2011 Midsomer MurdersFran Carter 14.03 "Echoes of the Dead"2011 Night and the DoctorSophie 1.05 "Up All Night"Uncredited2011 OutnumberedCharlene 4.07 "Christmas Special"2012 ParentsChrissy 6 episodes2012 Full EnglishEve (voice)1.01 "Britain's Got Bloodmonkey"1.02 "Mangina"2012 4FunniesSam 1.04 "Uncle"2014–2017 UncleSam 20 episodes 2014 Original Drama ShortsSarah1.03 "Tag"2014 Cardinal BurnsDebbie2.05 Series 2, Episode 52015 Ballot MonkeysChristine Proctor 5 episodes2016 Black MirrorBets 3.01 "Nosedive"2018 Hang UpsJane Ross 3 episodes2018–2023HildaJohanna (voice)21 episodes 2018 The GuardiansTelevision film2019–2021Back to LifeMiri Matteson Also writer and executive producer2020–2023Breeders AllyMain role 2022Inside No. 9Lara7.4 Kid/Nap2023Star Wars: VisionsDorota Van Reeple (voice)2.04 "I Am Your Mother"2023Boat StoryJanetMain role2026MayaAnnaMain role, writer, and co-director
References
External links
Daisy Haggard at Instagram