Biography -
Simon Bowles is a talented production designer who has made a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. With a career spanning over two decades, Bowles has consistently showcased his ability to create visually stunning and immersive worlds on the big screen. His meticulous attention to detail and eye for aesthetics have earned him numerous accolades, including three British Film Designer Guild awards and a prestigious Golden Arrow industry award. His work has been featured in publications including Architectural Digest, BBC TV and Variety. Whether it’s recreating historical settings or crafting fantastical realms, Bowles brings his unique vision to every project he undertakes. His ability to seamlessly blend practical and digital elements is a testament to his versatility and innovation. With each new collaboration, Simon Bowles continues to prove himself as a true master of his craft, elevating the overall cinematic experience and leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
He came to the film industry from the theatre world where he trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Simon Bowles was recognised early in his career for designing the maze of underground caves built at Pinewood Studios for The Descent, which won accolades at the Evening Standard British Film Awards, Empire Awards, British Independent Film Awards and Philadelphia Film Festival.
In 2014 Simon Bowles designed PRIDE directed by Matthew Warchus which was nominated for a Golden Globe and won a BAFTA for the most outstanding debut.
Simon Bowles designed period drama BELLE set in 18th century London, which was directed by Amma Asante, with whom he further collaborated with on A UNITED KINGDOM, which stars David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike. For this film Bowles was nominated in the category Best Production Design at the British Film Designers Guild awards 2017.
Bowles designed CROOKED HOUSE based on the Agatha Christie novel, screenplay by Julian Fellowes. Released 2017, directed by Giles Paquet-Brenner starring Glenn Close, Christina Hendricks, Gillian Anderson, Max Irons, Stefani Martini and Terrence Stamp.
Simon Bowles won a British Film Designers Guild award for his work on JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN for Working Title starring Rowan Atkinson, directed by David Kerr, produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Chris Clarke.
Simons striking designs for Armando Iannucci’s sci-fi epic drama AVENUE 5 can be currently seen on HBO. He won an award at the British Film Designers Guild awards in 2021 for his production design in first season.
In 2023 feature film THE SON is released directed by Florian Zeller, staring Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern and Anthony Hopkins shot in Manhattan, Brooklyn and London.
Simon is currently designing the next movie in the Quiet Place franchise for Paramount Pictures and John Krasinski’s Sunday Night Productions.
He has worked on projects in the USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Latvia, South Africa, Botswana, Morocco and Chez Republic.
Awards -
Nominated at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2023 - "The Son" in the category Best Production Design in a Contemporary Feature Film.
Won at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2021 - "Avenue 5" in the category Best Production Design in an International Television Drama.
Won at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2019 - "Johnny English Strikes Again" in the category Best Production Design in a Contemporary Studio Feature Film.
Nominated at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2018 - "Crooked House" in the category Best Production Design in a Period Television Drama.
Won gold at the British Television Advertising Craft Awards in 2016 - “Mog’s Christmas Nightmare”
Nominated at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2016 - "A United Kingdom" in the category Best Production Design in a Feature Film.
Nominated at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2016 - "Dad's Army" in the category Best Production Design in a Feature Film.
Nominated at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2014 - "Belle" in the category Best Production Design in a Feature Film.
Won at British Film Designers Guild Awards in 2013 - "Hyde Park on Hudson" in the category Best Production Design in a Feature Film.
Nominated at British Independent Film Awards in 1999 - Best Newcomer.
Features and Television Dramas -
A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (in production) feature film directed by Michael Sarnoski. Produced by John Krasinski, Michael Bay, Andrew Form & Allyson Seager for Paramount Pictures.
APARTMENT 7A (in post-production) feature film directed by Natalie Erika James, starring Julia Garner. Produced by John Krasinski, Michael Bay, Andrew Form & Allyson Seager for Paramount Pictures.
THE SON (international release January 2023) feature film written & directed by Florian Zeller, starring Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby & Anthony Hopkins.
(Simon Bowles nominated Best Production Design in a Contemporary Feature Film at the 2023 British Film Designers Guild Awards)
AVENUE 5 (Season 2) (currently streaming) sci-fi epic written & directed by Armando Iannucci, for HBO starring Hugh Laurie & Josh Gadd, produced by Kevin Loader.
TALKING HEADS written by Alan Bennett, staring Jodie Comer, Monica Dolan, Martin Freeman, Tamsin Greig, Sarah Lancashire, Lesley Manville, Lucian Msamati, Maxine Peake, Rochenda Sandall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Imelda Staunton and Harriet Walter. Produced by Nicholas Hytner, Kevin Loader & Steve Clark-Hall. Released July 2020.
AVENUE 5 (Season 1) written & directed by Armando Iannucci, for HBO starring Hugh Laurie & Josh Gadd, produced by Kevin Loader. Released January 2020.
(Simon Bowles won Best Production Design in a International Television Drama at the 2021 British Film Designers Guild Awards)
JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN director David Kerr, for Working Title starring Rowan Atkinson, produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner & Chris Clarke. Released Oct 2018.
(Simon Bowles won Best Production Design in a Contemporary Studio Feature Film at the 2019 British Film Designers Guild Awards)
CROOKED HOUSE director Gilles Paquet-Brenner, producers James Spring & Joseph Abrams. Screened internationally in December 2017.
(Simon Bowles was nominated for his work on this in the category Best Production Design in a Period Television Drama at the 2018 British Film Designers Guild Awards)
A UNITED KINGDOM director Amma Asante, producers Rick McCallum & Peter Heslop. Pathé Films. Premiered at TIFF '16.
(Simon Bowles was nominated for his work on this film in the category Best Production Design at the 2017 British Film Designers Guild awards)
DAD'S ARMY director Oliver Parker, producer Damian Jones. Universal Pictures/British Film Company. 2016.
(Simon Bowles was nominated for his work on this film in the category Best Production Design at the British Film Designers Guild awards 2017)
SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD / MI-5 director Bharat Nalluri, producer Ollie Madden. Shine Films. 2015.
PRIDE director Matthew Warchus, producer David Livingstone. Pathé Films/BFI/BBC Films. 2014.
(Won Best British Independant Film at the British Independant Film awards. Also nominated for Golden Globe and BAFTA awards)
BELLE director Amma Asante, producer Damian Jones. Head Gear Films/Pinewood Films. 2014 by Fox Searchlight.
(Simon Bowles was nominated for his work on this film in the category Best Production Design at the British Film Designers Guild awards 2014)
HYDE PARK ON HUDSON director Roger Michell, producers Kevin Loader & David Aukin. Focus Features. 2012
(Simon Bowles won the British Film Designers Guild award for Best Production Design in an Independant Feature 2013)
CENTURION director Neil Marshall, producer Christian Colson. Celador Films/Pathe. 2010
THE DESCENT: PART 2 director John Harris, producer Christian Colson. Celador Films. 2009
EDEN LAKE director James Watkins, producers Christian Colson & Richard Holmes. Celador Films. 2008.
(Won Best Horror Film at the Empire Film Awards)
DOOMSDAY director Neil Marshall, producers Benedict Carver & Steven Paul. Rogue Films/Universal. 2008
STRAIGHTHEADS director Dan Reed, producers Kevin Loader & Damian Jones. Mascot Films. 2007
THE DESCENT director Neil Marshall, producer Christian Colson. Celador Films. 2005
(Won Best British Film at Empire Awards 2005. Won Best Horror at Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films 2006. Won, British Independent Film at the British Independant Film Awards 2005.)
COLD AND DARK director Andrew Goth, producer Joanne Reay. ColdFilms. 2005
DOG SOLDIERS director Neil Marshall, producers Christopher Figg & Tom Reeve. Noel Gay Productions/Pathe. 2002
THE ENEMY director Tom Kinnenmont, producer Tom Reeve. Promark/HBO. 2001
LIGHTHOUSE director Simon Hunter, producers Tim Dennison & Mark Leake. Lighthouse Productions. 1999.
(Simon Bowles nominated for Best Newcomer at British Independant Film Awards)
FISTFUL OF FINGERS director Edgar Wright, producers Daniel Figuero & Zigy Kamasa. Scorpio Productions. 1995
UNITED TALENT AGENCY
RICHARD ROBINSON
LOS ANGELES
9336 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
+1.310 273 6700
LONDON
361-373 City Road, The Angel, London EC1V 1PQ, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 20.7278.3331