David Mitchell (comedian)

{{About|the comedian|other people with the same name|David Mitchell (disambiguation){{!}}David Mitchell}}

{{Infobox person

| name = David Mitchell

| image = David mitchell.jpg

| caption = Mitchell in 2009

| birth_name = David James Stuart Mitchell

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1974|7|14}}

| birth_place = Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

| education = Peterhouse, Cambridge (MA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|actor|writer}}

| years_active = 1995–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Victoria Coren
|2012}}

| children = 2

| module = {{Listen| embed=yes |filename=David mitchell bbc radio4 desert island discs 19 07 2009.flac |title=David Mitchell's voice |type = speech |description = from the BBC programme Desert Island Discs, 19 July 2009{{Cite episode |title=David Mitchell |series=Desert Island Discs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ln1b2 |access-date=18 January 2014 |station=BBC Radio 4 |date=19 July 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114200912/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ln1b2 |archive-date=14 November 2012 }}}}

}}

David James Stuart Mitchell (born 14 July 1974) is a British comedian, actor, and writer. Mitchell rose to prominence alongside Robert Webb as part of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb. The duo starred in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show, in which Mitchell plays Mark Corrigan. He won the British Academy Television Award for Best Comedy Performance in 2009 for his performance. Mitchell and Webb have written and starred in several sketch shows including Bruiser, The Mitchell and Webb Situation, That Mitchell and Webb Sound, and That Mitchell and Webb Look. They have also starred in the British version of Apple's "Get a Mac" ad campaign. Their first film, Magicians, was released in 2007. They starred in the short-lived TV series Ambassadors in 2013, and in the Channel 4 comedy-drama Back from 2017 to 2021.

Mitchell starred as Owen in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Think the Unthinkable, as Dr. James Vine in the BBC One sitcom Jam & Jerusalem, and as William Shakespeare in the BBC Two historical comedy Upstart Crow. He has starred in the BBC One detective comedy-drama Ludwig since 2024. He is a frequent participant on British panel shows, being a team captain on Would I Lie to You?, the host of The Unbelievable Truth on BBC Radio 4, and the former host of The Bubble and Was It Something I Said?; as well as guesting on other panel shows including QI, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and Have I Got News for You. He was also a co-host of the comedy news-show 10 O'Clock Live. As a writer, he contributes opinion pieces to British newspapers The Observer and The Guardian.

Early life

David James Stuart Mitchell was born in Salisbury on 14 July 1974,{{cite book |chapter=David Mitchell |title=Who's Who 2011 |author=A & C Black |edition=online |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2010 |chapter-url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U250146 |access-date=10 April 2011}}{{cite web |last=Oatts |first=Joanne |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a43909/mitchell--webb.html?page=4 |title=Mitchell & Webb |date=11 April 2007 |access-date=13 April 2007 |website=Digital Spy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929134325/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a43909/mitchell--webb.html?page=4 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }} the son of hotel managers Kathryn Grey (née Hughes) and Ian Douglas Mitchell. As his mother is Welsh, hailing from Swansea, and his father was born to a family that was originally Scottish,{{cite web |series=David Mitchell |title=Scotland |website=Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine |url=http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/episode/david-mitchell |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329050024/http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/episode/david-mitchell |archive-date=29 March 2012 }} he considers himself British rather than specifically English.{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=David |date=15 May 2011 |title=If Scotland does secede, I won't be alone in mourning for my country |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/15/david-mitchell-scotland-secession-britain |access-date=10 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110203130/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/15/david-mitchell-scotland-secession-britain |archive-date=10 November 2013 }} He would explore his ancestry in a 2009 episode of Who Do You Think You Are? and discover his connection to the Gaelic scholars John Forbes and Alexander Robert Forbes.{{cite news |last=Banks-Smith |first=Nancy |date=5 August 2009 |title=Spanish Flu: The Forgotten Fallen |series=Who Do You Think You Are? |type=TV review |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/aug/06/david-mitchell-spanish-flu |access-date=20 March 2019}} In 1977, when Mitchell was two years old, his parents left their jobs to give lectures on hotel management as this gave them more time with him. He has a brother named Daniel, who is seven years younger.

Mitchell's family moved to Oxford, where his parents became lecturers at Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University).{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Janice |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3303938.ece |title=Mitchell and Webb are back on TV |date=9 February 2008 |access-date=11 February 2008 |work=The Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615200742/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3303938.ece |archive-date=15 June 2011 }} He attended the independent private New College School. In a 2006 interview with The Independent, he recalled his childhood dreams: "When I was at school I either wanted to be a comedian-stroke-actor or prime minister. But I didn't admit that to other people, I said I wanted to be a barrister and that made my parents very happy. I didn't admit I wanted to be a comedian until I came to university, met a lot of other people who wanted to be comedians, and realised it was an okay thing to say."{{cite news|last=Ross |first=Deborah |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article1988496.ece |title=Peep Show's David Mitchell and Robert Webb |date=18 November 2006 |access-date=4 April 2007 |newspaper=The Independent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001083236/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article1988496.ece |archive-date=1 October 2007 }} From the age of 13, Mitchell was educated at Abingdon School, a public school. Having always been top of the class at primary school and prep school, he realised after moving to Abingdon that there were plenty of people more intelligent than he, so he turned his attention to debating and drama "where [he] had a chance of being the best".

Mitchell often took part in plays "largely because [he] got to play cards backstage". His roles mainly consisted of small minute-long parts until he won the role of Rabbit in an adaptation of Winnie-the-Pooh. This was the first time that he was "consciously aware [he] was doing a performance" and that this "was better, even, than playing cards". He had been "obsessed" with comedy writing since his school days as he "always felt that doing a joke was the cleverest thing" and "would intrinsically prefer a parody of something to the actual thing itself".{{cite web|last=Richman |first=Darren |url=http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/article.php?sid=1011 |title=David 'peep show' Mitchell Interview |date=7 March 2005 |access-date=17 March 2007 |publisher=Wessex Scene |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061004003828/http://www.wessexscene.co.uk/article.php?sid=1011 |archive-date=4 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}

As part of his gap year, he worked as a "general dogsbody" at Oxford University Press, in their English Language teaching division.{{cite news|last=Mitchell |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jan/09/david-mitchell-students-gap-years |title= Gap-year travel may broaden the mind – but who needs a broad mind these days? |newspaper=The Observer |date=9 January 2011 }}

He was rejected by Merton College, Oxford,{{sfn|Mitchell|2012|page=131}} then went to Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1993, where he studied history. There, he began performing with the Cambridge Footlights, of which he became president{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thatmitchellandwebbsite/cast/mitchell.shtml |title=David Mitchell |publisher=BBC |access-date=17 March 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210003323/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thatmitchellandwebbsite/cast/mitchell.shtml |archive-date=10 February 2007 }} for the 1995–1996 academic year.{{cite web |url=http://footlights.org/alumni-archive?name=1990-1999 |title=Footlight alumni 1990–1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015035204/http://footlights.org/alumni-archive?name=1990-1999 |archive-date=15 October 2012}} In his first year at university, he met Robert Webb during rehearsals for a Footlights production of Cinderella in 1993, and the two men soon established a comedy partnership.{{cite news |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1856420,00.html |last=Mitchell |first=Ben |title=Masters of comedy |date=27 August 2006 |access-date=28 April 2007 |work=The Observer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313121826/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,1856420,00.html |archive-date=13 March 2007 }} According to Mitchell, these factors had a detrimental effect on his academic performance at university and he attained a 2:2 in his final exams.

Career

=Early work and ''Peep Show''=

Before his break into comedy, Mitchell worked as an usher at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre,{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} and in the cloakroom of TFI Friday among other jobs.{{cite video |people=Mitchell, David |date=2 November 2007 |title=The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz |medium=Television production |publisher=Channel 4}}

{{blockquote|"We have superficial differences and underlying similarities. We pretty much agree about what we think is funny. But we come across differently. We get on really. And together we're greater than the sum of our parts."|author=Mitchell describing his partnership with Webb}}

Mitchell's first project with Webb was in January 1995, a show about a nuclear apocalypse{{cite podcast |url=http://asitecalledfred.com/2012/06/26/david-mitchell-ken-plume-chat-3/ |title=A Bit of a Chat With Ken Plume & David Mitchell 3 |website=FRED Entertainment |host=Ken Plume |date=26 June 2012 |time=1:23:23 |access-date=8 August 2013 |quote='Innocent Millions Dead or Dying' ... which wasn't actually about the first world war, that's what they put on Wikipedia ... it was about a nuclear apocalypse. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430154935/http://asitecalledfred.com/2012/06/26/david-mitchell-ken-plume-chat-3/ |archive-date=30 April 2013 }} entitled Innocent Millions Dead or Dying: A Wry Look at the Post-Apocalyptic Age.{{cite news |url=http://www.varsity.co.uk/arts/871 |title=That Mitchell and Webb interview |work=Varsity |date=22 February 2008 |first=Patrick |last=Kingsley |access-date=24 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928064008/http://www.varsity.co.uk/arts/871 |archive-date=28 September 2011 }} Webb later described it as being "fucking terrible". After leaving university he and Webb began performing a number of two-man shows at the Edinburgh Fringe.

As a result of their performances at the Edinburgh Fringe, the duo were given the chance to write for Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller and for series two of Big Train. After minor work on The Jack Docherty Show and Comedy Nation, their first break into television acting was in 2000, on the short-lived BBC sketch show Bruiser, which they primarily wrote, and starred in. The show also featured future Academy Award and BAFTA winner Olivia Colman, who would become a regular cast member of Mitchell and Webb projects, and Martin Freeman, later of The Office fame. Other cast members included Matthew Holness and Charlotte Hudson. Additional material for the show was provided by various people, including Ricky Gervais and James Bachman.{{cite web |last=Lewisohn |first=Mark |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/b/bruiser_66600740.shtml |title=Bruiser |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214133616/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/b/bruiser_66600740.shtml |archive-date=14 February 2007 }}

In 2001 the two men were commissioned for a sketch show of their own, entitled The Mitchell and Webb Situation, which ran for six episodes on the now-defunct channel Play UK. The show was reasonably well received. Wessex Scene{{'}}s Darren Richman said: "What the series lacked in budget, it made up for in magnificent material," and went on to call it "far superior to the vastly overrated Little Britain" and "perhaps the greatest forgotten sketch show of modern times". Eureka! TV, which released The Mitchell and Webb Situation on DVD in 2005, said that the show "gushes forth an hilarious stream of surreal and quirkily inventive sketches," as well as calling it a "cult success".{{cite web |url=http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/tv/the-mitchell-webb-situation/ |title=The Mitchell & Webb Situation |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=Eureka! TV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928045323/http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/tv/the-mitchell-webb-situation/ |archive-date=28 September 2007 }} In the interview with Wessex Scene, Mitchell stated that he was "more proud of the way it turned out than annoyed that it was only aired on a small channel".

Mitchell and Webb's next project came in 2003, with starring roles in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show, as flatmates Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usbourne respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/peep_show/ |title=Peep Show |publisher=British Sitcom Guide |access-date=4 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310203346/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/peep_show/ |archive-date=10 March 2007 }} The show originated from writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain's failed attempt to complete a team-written sitcom for the BBC; they had an old script that they wanted to revive and Mitchell and Webb helped out, with it eventually evolving into Peep Show. Despite low viewing figures (which almost got the show cancelled after series three){{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/news/2006/01/26/29162.shtml |title=That's all, Peeps |date=20 May 2007 |access-date=21 June 2007 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206161613/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/news/2006/01/26/29162.shtml |archive-date=6 February 2006}} the show was received to wide critical acclaim. The British Sitcom Guide called it "without a doubt one of the best sitcoms of the decade". Ricky Gervais has been cited as saying: "The last thing I got genuinely excited about on British TV was Peep Show, which I thought was the best sitcom since Father Ted."{{cite news |last=Rampton |first=James |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article1525333.ece |title=Robert Webb and David Mitchell: The Peep Show duo's new pain game |date=13 September 2006 |access-date=4 April 2007 |work=The Independent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930191602/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article1525333.ece |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} The BBC hailed Mitchell's performance in the series, stating that: "As Mark Corrigan, David reached out to all those middle-aged men in a twentysomething's body, who believe drugs are boring and systems are necessary if society is to function at all." Mitchell has stated that he empathises with Mark and enjoys playing him and that he "agrees with many of [Mark's] opinions". Peep Show aired for nine series, which makes it the longest-running sitcom in Channel 4 history.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11100448 |title=Frankie Boyle heads new Channel 4 season |date=26 August 2010 |access-date=27 August 2010 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829063739/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11100448 |archive-date=29 August 2010 }}

In 2009, Mitchell won the British Academy Television Award for Best Comedy Performance for his work on Peep Show, after having lost in the same category the year before.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8018970.stm |title=Branagh picks up best drama Bafta |access-date=26 April 2009 |date=26 April 2009 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427013109/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8018970.stm |archive-date=27 April 2009 }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302291.stm |title=Bafta TV Awards 2008: The nominations |access-date=18 March 2008 |work=BBC News |date=18 March 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207105506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302291.stm |archive-date=7 December 2008 }} He was nominated again in 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/825338-bafta-tv-awards-2010-full-list-of-nominations |title=Bafta TV Awards 2010: Full list of nominations |work=Metro |access-date=27 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020032735/http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/825338-bafta-tv-awards-2010-full-list-of-nominations |archive-date=20 October 2010 }} He won the award "Best Television Comedy Actor" at the 2007 British Comedy Awards,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7129639.stm |title=British Comedy Awards: winners' list |access-date=6 December 2007 |date=6 December 2007 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204213258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7129639.stm |archive-date=4 February 2009 }} and the pair shared the 2007 Royal Television Society Award for "Comedy Performance".{{cite web |url=http://www.rts.org.uk/winners-rpa?term_node_tid_depth=230 |title=Programme Awards 2007: Winners |publisher=Royal Television Society |date=19 March 2008 |access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325044055/http://www.rts.org.uk/winners-rpa?term_node_tid_depth=230 |archive-date=25 March 2014 }} They were also jointly nominated for "Best Television Comedy Actor" at the 2006 British Comedy Awards.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6147936.stm |title=British Comedy Awards: Nominations |work=BBC News |access-date=7 December 2007 |date=14 November 2006}} Peep Show itself has also won the BAFTA for "Best situation comedy" in 2008,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302291.stm |title=Bafta TV Awards 2008: The winners |publisher=BBC |date=20 April 2008 |access-date=11 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207105506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7302291.stm |archive-date=7 December 2008 }} and the British Comedy Award for "Best TV comedy" in 2006,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6177591.stm |title=Merchant takes top comedy honour |publisher=BBC |date=14 December 2006 |access-date=14 December 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215092445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6177591.stm |archive-date=15 December 2006 }} and retained it the following year. It also won "Best TV Comedy" at the South Bank Show Awards, and claimed a Golden Rose in 2004.

=Other Mitchell and Webb projects=

File:Mitchellandwebb.jpg

After the success of Peep Show, Mitchell and Webb returned to sketch comedy with their BBC Radio 4 sketch show That Mitchell and Webb Sound, which ran for five series. The show was adapted for television and became That Mitchell and Webb Look. Producer Gareth Edwards described it as "the shortest pitch [he had] ever written".{{cite web |url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/features/awards2006.php |title=The British Sitcom Guide Awards 2006 |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=British Sitcom Guide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312132306/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/features/awards2006.php |archive-date=12 March 2007 }} The show ran for four series.{{cite news |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/02/02/10448/mitchell_and_webb_look_again |title=Mitchell And Webb Look again |work=Chortle |access-date=6 July 2010 |date=2 February 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706025226/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2010/02/02/10448/mitchell_and_webb_look_again |archive-date=6 July 2010 }} Towards the end of 2006 the pair made their first tour, with a show called The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb.{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Perry |title=David Mitchell interviewed about The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb |url=http://thebeaverdialogues.blogspot.com/2006/12/david-mitchell.html |work=The Beaver |date=5 December 2006 |access-date=29 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708065817/http://thebeaverdialogues.blogspot.com/2006/12/david-mitchell.html |archive-date=8 July 2011 }} The tour was criticised as just "a succession of largely unrelated scenes" by The Guardian{{'}}s Brian Logan, who gave it a rating of two stars.{{cite news |last=Logan |first=Brian |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1929726,00.html |title=The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb |date=24 October 2006 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=4 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070226211831/http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0%2C%2C1929726%2C00.html |archive-date=26 February 2007 }}

That Mitchell and Webb Look won them the BAFTA for Best Comedy Programme or Series at the 2007 awards,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6670797.stm |title=Victoria Wood scoops Bafta double |access-date=20 May 2007 |date=20 May 2007 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115084602/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6670797.stm |archive-date=15 January 2009 }} and they earned a further nomination for it in 2009.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/mar/24/bafta-tv-awards-nominations |title=Bafta TV Awards 2009: nominations |access-date=19 August 2009 |date=24 March 2009 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325065836/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/mar/24/bafta-tv-awards-nominations |archive-date=25 March 2014 }} It was nominated for two British Comedy Awards in 2006: Britain's Best New TV Comedy and the Highland Spring People's Choice. Their stage tour The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb was nominated for the British Comedy Award for Best Stage Comedy, and That Mitchell and Webb Sound won a Sony Silver Award.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thatmitchellandwebbsite/radio.shtml |title=That Mitchell and Webb Sound |access-date=14 April 2007 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707061331/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thatmitchellandwebbsite/radio.shtml |archive-date=7 July 2007 }}

Their first film, Magicians, was released on 18 May 2007. It was directed by Andrew O'Connor and written by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain.{{cite web |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/05/25/4217/that_mitchell_and_webb_movie |title=That Mitchell and Webb movie |date=25 May 2006 |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=chortle.co.uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427171809/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/05/25/4217/that_mitchell_and_webb_movie |archive-date=27 April 2007 }} Mitchell played the role of a magician named Harry.{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/film/advertorial/magicians/ |title=Magicians |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=28 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070423214658/http://www.channel4.com/film/advertorial/magicians/ |archive-date=23 April 2007 }} Later in 2007, the pair recorded a pilot BBC Radio 2 sitcom entitled Daydream Believers, in which Mitchell played Ray, a science-fiction writer.{{cite web |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2007/04/21/5241/wireless_webb |title=Wireless Webb |date=21 April 2007 |publisher=Chortle.co.uk |access-date=21 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182611/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2007/04/21/5241/wireless_webb |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} The show was previously a one-off television pilot from Channel 4's Comedy Lab, and also starred Mitchell and Webb.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/d/daydreambeliever_66601150.shtml |title=Daydream Believers |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218153420/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/d/daydreambeliever_66601150.shtml |archive-date=18 February 2007 }}

Mitchell and Webb's first comedy book, This Mitchell and Webb Book, was published in 2009.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/mitchell-and-webb-alan-bennett-tabloid-columnist-lsx5pt9blw3|title=Mitchell and Webb: 'Alan Bennett – tabloid columnist' |work=The Times |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=19 September 2010 |first1=Charles |last1=Bremner |first2=David |last2=Robertson}} A second book was planned for 2010.{{cite web |last=Button |first=Katie |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a87257/mitchell-and-webb-to-write-comedy-books.html |title=Mitchell and Webb to write comedy books |access-date=12 June 2008 |website=Digital Spy |date=24 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080428233508/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a87257/mitchell-and-webb-to-write-comedy-books.html |archive-date=28 April 2008 }} They also wrote and filmed Playing Shop, a comedy television pilot for BBC2 about two men who operate a business out of their shed.{{cite news |last=Thornton |first=Michael |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a137869/mitchell--webb-reveal-new-sitcom.html |title=Mitchell and Webb reveal new sitcom |date=9 December 2008 |work=Digital Spy |access-date=11 December 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209234807/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a137869/mitchell--webb-reveal-new-sitcom.html |archive-date=9 December 2008 }} Although the BBC commissioners were happy with it, Mitchell and Webb scrapped it themselves, as they felt it was too similar to Peep Show. A new pilot had been commissioned,{{cite news |last=Pettie |first=Andrew |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5487340/Interview-David-Mitchell-and-Robert-Webb.html |title=Interview: David Mitchell and Robert Webb |access-date=15 June 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=10 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528125250/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5487340/Interview-David-Mitchell-and-Robert-Webb.html |archive-date=28 May 2010 }} but the plan was later shelved.{{cite news |last=Harrison |first=Phil |url=http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/features/9598/David_Mitchell-interview.html |title=David Mitchell: interview |work=Time Out |access-date=7 July 2010 |date=12 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531022542/http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/features/9598/David_Mitchell-interview.html |archive-date=31 May 2010 }} Mitchell and Webb voiced a robotic duo in the Doctor Who episode "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" in 2012.{{cite web |last1=Jefferey |first1=Morgan |last2=Sperling |first2=Daniel |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/tubetalk/a403969/doctor-who-game-of-thrones-homeland-tube-talk-qa.html |title='Doctor Who', 'Game of Thrones', 'Homeland': Tube Talk Q&A |date=6 September 2012 |access-date=8 September 2012 |website=Digital Spy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907133411/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/tubetalk/a403969/doctor-who-game-of-thrones-homeland-tube-talk-qa.html |archive-date=7 September 2012 }}

In 2007 the duo fronted the UK version of Apple Inc.'s "Get a Mac" adverts, with Mitchell playing PC.{{cite web |last=Gamet |first=Jeff |url=http://www.macobserver.com/article/2007/01/29.2.shtml |title=Apple UK Get a Mac Ads Debut |date=29 January 2007 |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=Mac Observer.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031093749/http://www.macobserver.com/article/2007/01/29.2.shtml |archive-date=31 October 2007 }} The adverts received much criticism. Writing in The Guardian, Charlie Brooker claimed that the use of Mitchell and Webb in the adverts was a curious choice. He compared the characters of PC and Mac in the adverts to those of Mark and Jeremy in Peep Show, stating that "when you see the ads, you think, 'PCs are a bit rubbish yet ultimately lovable, whereas Macs are just smug, preening tossers.'"{{cite news |last=Brooker |first=Charlie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/story/0,,2006031,00.html |title=I hate Macs |date=5 February 2007 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=28 April 2007}} The British Sitcom Guide also criticised the pair for "selling their souls". One journalist called the adverts "worse than not funny", and accused Mitchell and Webb of "an act of grave betrayal" for taking corporate work.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/04/07/btmitch107.xml&page=2 |title=Who are those guys? |date=7 April 2007 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=28 April 2007 |first=Andrew |last=Pettie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201045143/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2007%2F04%2F07%2Fbtmitch107.xml&page=2 |archive-date=1 December 2008 }} In an interview with The Telegraph, Robert Webb responded to the duo's critics, stating that "when someone asks, 'Do you want to do some funny ads for not many days in the year and be paid more than you would be for an entire series of Peep Show?' the answer, obviously, is, 'Yeah, that's fine.'" In the same interview, Mitchell also said: "I don't see what is morally inconsistent with a comedian doing an advert. It's all right to sell computers, isn't it? Unless you think that capitalism is evil – which I don't. It's not like we're helping to flog a baby-killing machine."

In 2005, the duo were placed ninth on a list of the United Kingdom's best television talent,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4465560.stm |title=New Doctor Who tops talent list |access-date=17 June 2007 |date=24 November 2005 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109092153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4465560.stm |archive-date=9 November 2006 }} and were named twelfth in a Radio Times list of the most powerful people in television comedy.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4162609.stm |title=Comedy power list: The top 50 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 May 2013 |date=10 January 2005}}

=Solo acting, presenting and writing=

As well as his work alongside Webb, Mitchell has appeared on his own in several shows. He played technical expert Owen in the Radio 4 sitcom Think the Unthinkable in 2001. He played the surgeon Dr Toby Stephens in the BBC One sitcom Doctors and Nurses. In 2005 he played Kate's hapless secretary Tim in the BBC's updating of The Taming of The Shrew in its ShakespeaRe-Told series.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/tamingoftheshrew/david_mitchell.shtml |title=Characters & Actors |access-date=6 January 2007 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829233845/http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/tamingoftheshrew/david_mitchell.shtml |archive-date=29 August 2006 }} Mitchell appeared as various roles on the Channel 4 sketch programme Blunder. The show was not well received, with the British Sitcom Guide naming it as the worst thing that Mitchell did in all of 2006 in their "British Sitcom Awards" of that year. He portrayed the recurring character of Dr. James Vine in the BBC sitcom Jam and Jerusalem.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/jamandjerusalem/|title=Jam and Jerusalem|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 January 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107071957/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/jamandjerusalem/|archive-date=7 January 2007}} Mitchell had a small part in the film I Could Never Be Your Woman, playing an English writer, also named David. While in Los Angeles to record the part he decided that he did not like the area much, and preferred filming in Britain.

He wrote series five of the BBC Two impressionist sketch show Dead Ringers,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/d/deadringers_66601180.shtml |title=Dead Ringers |publisher=BBC |access-date=6 January 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106082319/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/d/deadringers_66601180.shtml |archive-date=6 January 2007 }} and voiced Mitch in the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb.{{cite news|url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-28-best-cartoon-movie-parodies/the-empire-strikes-back-1980-2|title=The 28 Best Cartoon Movie Parodies|work=Total Film |access-date=30 August 2011 |date=23 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827004112/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-28-best-cartoon-movie-parodies/the-empire-strikes-back-1980-2 |archive-date=27 August 2010}} He also narrated the reality show Beauty and the Geek. Following the success of Channel 4's Alternative Election Night in 2010, which Mitchell hosted with Jimmy Carr, Charlie Brooker and Lauren Laverne, the four presented 10 O'Clock Live, a series of live shows looking at the week's affairs. Mitchell has a solo segment entitled Listen to Mitchell. The show ran for three series.{{cite news |last=Conlan |first=Tara |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/sep/07/channel-4-jimmy-carr |title=Jimmy Carr commissioned for Channel 4 show |access-date=14 December 2010 |work=The Guardian |date=7 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325082641/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/sep/07/channel-4-jimmy-carr |archive-date=25 March 2014 }}

Mitchell has presented four series of the online video show David Mitchell's Soapbox, a series of short monologues co-written with John Finnemore for ChannelFlip. In these monologues Mitchell has criticised a variety of subjects, including the BBC show Doctor Who{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/09/09/dr-who-too-grown-up-says-comic-115875-22547965/|title=Dr Who too grown-up, says comic David Mitchell|work=The Mirror|date=9 September 2010|access-date=16 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101175535/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/09/09/dr-who-too-grown-up-says-comic-115875-22547965/|archive-date=1 January 2012}} and 3D television.{{cite web |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/home-cinema/david-mitchell-rails-against-bad-3d-in-bad-3d-711465 |title=David Mitchell rails against bad 3D, in bad 3D |publisher=Techradar |date=20 August 2010 |first=Patrick |last=Goss |access-date=19 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926183709/http://www.techradar.com/news/home-cinema/david-mitchell-rails-against-bad-3d-in-bad-3d-711465 |archive-date=26 September 2012 }} Matt Warman of The Daily Telegraph suggested that the series could be a sign that new comedy will increasingly become available online, rather than on television.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4528080/Log-on-watch-this-David-Mitchell.html |title=Log on, watch this: David Mitchell |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Matt |last=Warman |date=5 February 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218010615/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/4528080/Log-on-watch-this-David-Mitchell.html |archive-date=18 February 2009 }} The series has been released on DVD.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mitchells-Soap-Box-DVD/dp/B005GJTNAI/ref=wl_mb_hu_c_1_dp |title=David Mitchell's Soap Box [DVD] |website=Amazon UK |date=14 November 2011 |access-date=6 February 2012}}

He provided the voiceover for a £1 million government advert for FRANK, warning of the dangers of cocaine, as "Pablo the Drug Mule Dog";{{cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/04/david-mitchell-cocaine-ad-pablo |title=Government lines up anti-cocaine ad featuring Peep Show's David Mitchell |date=14 December 2008 |access-date=11 December 2008 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926113016/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/04/david-mitchell-cocaine-ad-pablo |archive-date=26 September 2013 }} and also for the Driving Standards Agency's "The Highway Code".{{cite web |url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_183290 |title=The Highway Code is for life – not just for learners |date=15 December 2009 |work=Direct.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612023746/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_183290 |archive-date=12 June 2011}} He writes columns for The Observer and The Guardian.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/profile/davidmitchell |title=David Mitchell |access-date=11 April 2009 |work=The Guardian |date=1 July 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804132349/http://www.theguardian.com/profile/davidmitchell |archive-date=4 August 2013 }} He also took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala, a benefit show held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital at the O2 Arena.{{cite news |last=Cavendish |first=Dominic |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/comedy/7540879/Channel-4-Comedy-Gala-at-the-O2-Arena-review.html |title=Channel 4 Comedy Gala at the O2 Arena, review |date=31 March 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402052320/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/comedy/7540879/Channel-4-Comedy-Gala-at-the-O2-Arena-review.html |archive-date=2 April 2010 }} In October 2009, Mitchell signed a deal with HarperCollins and its imprint Fourth Estate to write a volume of memoirs and a novel. The memoirs, Back Story: A Memoir, was published in October 2012 with the novel scheduled for 2013.{{cite news |last=Allen |first=Kate |date=14 October 2009 |url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/hc-acquires-david-mitchell-memoir-and-novel.html |title=HC acquires David Mitchell memoir and novel |work=The Bookseller |access-date=18 October 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109154932/http://www.thebookseller.com/news/hc-acquires-david-mitchell-memoir-and-novel.html |archive-date=9 November 2013 }}{{cite news |last=Turner |first=Dom |url=http://therabbitbooks.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/an-interview-with-david-mitchell/ |title=An interview with David Mitchell |date=19 May 2012 |work=The Rabbitm |access-date=26 May 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728064339/http://therabbitbooks.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/an-interview-with-david-mitchell/ |archive-date=28 July 2012 }}{{cite book |title=David Mitchell: Back Story |id={{ASIN|0007351720|country=uk}} }}

Mitchell plays William Shakespeare in all three series of the sitcom Upstart Crow, the first series of which was broadcast in 2016 as part of the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-08/david-mitchell-to-play-shakespeare-in-new-bbc2-sitcom|title=David Mitchell to play Shakespeare in new BBC sitcom|work=Radio Times|access-date=8 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504055810/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-08/david-mitchell-to-play-shakespeare-in-new-bbc2-sitcom|archive-date=4 May 2016}}

In September 2023, Mitchell published Unruly: A History of England's Kings and Queens, a non-fiction book about the history of the English monarchy up until Queen Elizabeth I.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/sep/24/england-royals-history-kings-queens-david-mitchell-unruly-book-tour|title=Let's hear it for England's royals – and centuries of incompetence, criminality and failure|website=The Guardian|last=Mitchell|first=David|date=24 September 2023|access-date=5 October 2023}} The book was praised by critics;{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/unruly-by-david-mitchell-review-rg9v5v6fw|title=Unruly by David Mitchell review — why England's monarchs are a bunch of 'colossally entitled posh people'|website=The Times|last=DeGroot|first=Gerard|date=20 September 2023|access-date=5 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/book-reviews/a-comedians-take-on-how-englands-kings-robbed-their-way-to-the-throne/a1423333277.html|title=A comedian's take on how England's kings robbed their way to the throne|website=Irish Telegraph|last=McGrath|first=Meadhbh|date=23 September 2023|access-date=5 October 2023}} The Daily Telegraph rated Unruly 4/5 stars;{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fiction/review-david-mitchell-unruly-history-englands-kings-queens/|title=Want to understand England's history? Let David Mitchell explain it|website=The Daily Telegraph|last=Brooks|first=Daniel|date=27 September 2023|access-date=5 October 2023}} In October 2023, Mitchell went on a national book tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23713602.david-mitchell-coming-norwich-halls-national-tour/|title=David Mitchell coming to Norwich Halls on national tour|website=Norwich Evening News|date=10 August 2023|access-date=5 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.londontheatre1.com/shows/unruly-an-evening-with-david-mitchell-new-theatre-oxford/|title=Unruly: An Evening with David Mitchell at New Theatre Oxford|website=London Theatre 1|date=11 July 2023 |access-date=5 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://theoxfordmagazine.com/event/unruly-in-conversation-with-david-mitchell/|title=Unruly: in conversation with David Mitchel|website=The Oxford Magazine|access-date=5 October 2023}}

In January 2024, Mitchell began filming on the new BBC One comedy detective drama series Ludwig. Mitchell plays the titular character of John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, a man who assumes the identity of his missing identical twin brother as he tracks him down.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/ludwig-david-mitchell-filming-commences/|title=Filming commences on David Mitchell's BBC One comedy detective drama series Ludwig|website=BBC |date=10 January 2024|access-date=26 January 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://rts.org.uk/article/filming-begins-david-mitchell-turns-reluctant-sleuth-comedy-drama-ludwig-0/|title=Filming begins as David Mitchell turns reluctant sleuth in comedy-drama Ludwig|website=Royal Television Society |date=10 January 2024|access-date=26 January 2024}} The series premiered on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer on 25 September 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/ludwig|title=Ludwig - David Mitchell, Anna Maxwell Martin, and creatives open up about the comedy-drama: "it's a bit of a dream for me"|publisher=BBC Media Centre|accessdate=27 September 2024}} Early reviews of the detective drama were positive with one reviewer stating "Just Give Him (Mitchell) the Bafta Now".{{Cite web |last=Stephenson |first=David |date=2024-09-29 |title=David Mitchell's Ludwig hits all the right notes in a cosy crime classic |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1954397/david-mitchells-ludwig-is-cosy-genius |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}

=Stage=

File:Highways England David Mitchell (cropped).jpg

Mitchell made his stage debut in Ben Elton's The Upstart Crow which premiered in London in February 2020 at the Gielgud Theatre. He played the part of William Shakespeare as in the television series Upstart Crow which inspired the play.[https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/tickets/upstart-crow/ Gielgud Theatre website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216121832/https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/tickets/upstart-crow/ |date=16 February 2020 }}. Retrieved 16 February 2020. The play was forced to close in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it re-opened in September 2022 at the Apollo Theatre, and played for a 10-week run until 3 December 2022.

=Panel shows=

Mitchell has become a regular participant on many panel shows, leading The Independent{{'}}s James Rampton to christen him "if not king, then certainly prince regent of the panel games." Mitchell is a team captain on the BBC panel show Would I Lie To You?, opposite Lee Mack. The show has run since 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.endemoluk.com/?q=node/317&tid=7&shownews=1|title=Would I Lie To You? Brand New Primetime Comedy Series For BBC One|access-date=16 June 2007|date=26 April 2007|publisher=Endemol|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622021159/http://www.endemoluk.com/?q=node%2F317&tid=7&shownews=1|archive-date=22 June 2007}} Since 2007, he has hosted 30 series of The Unbelievable Truth, a panel game on BBC Radio 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/unbelievabletruth/|title=The Unbelievable Truth|publisher=BBC Radio 4|access-date=27 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220004700/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/unbelievabletruth/|archive-date=20 February 2009}} The inaugural episode of Was It Something I Said?, a panel comedy show that Mitchell hosts, was broadcast on Channel 4 in October 2013.{{cite news |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |title=Peep Show star David Mitchell defends panel shows after attack by Fast Show co-creator Charlie Higson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/peep-show-star-david-mitchell-defends-panel-shows-after-attack-by-fast-show-cocreator-charlie-higson-8839444.html |access-date=24 October 2013 |newspaper=The Independent |date=25 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928083804/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/peep-show-star-david-mitchell-defends-panel-shows-after-attack-by-fast-show-cocreator-charlie-higson-8839444.html |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}

He was a team captain on the Channel 4 comedy quiz show Best of the Worst, opposite Johnny Vaughan.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Best_of_the_Worst|title=Best of the Worst|access-date=4 April 2007|publisher=UK Gameshows.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117014550/http://ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Best_of_the_Worst|archive-date=17 January 2010}} Mitchell has also hosted ten episodes of Have I Got News For You.{{cite episode|title=Episode 7|series=Have I Got News for You|series-link=Have I Got News for You|credits=Mitchell, David; Merton, Paul; Hislop, Ian; Hamilton, Andy; Millican, Sarah.|network=BBC 1|airdate=5 December 2008|season=36 |number=7}} Mitchell hosted the panel show The Bubble.{{cite news |last=Parker |first=Parker |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/bbc/hat-trick-brings-israeli-panel-format-to-bbc2/5006482.article |title=Hat Trick brings Israeli panel format to BBC2 |access-date=16 October 2009 |date=6 October 2009 |work=Broadcast Now |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009081904/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/bbc/hat-trick-brings-israeli-panel-format-to-bbc2/5006482.article |archive-date=9 October 2009 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sense-of-humour-failure-as-bbc-boycotts-its-own-comedy-show-1901731.html|title=Sense of humour failure as BBC boycotts its own comedy show|last=Burrell|first=Ian|date=17 February 2010|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=19 February 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218115637/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/sense-of-humour-failure-as-bbc-boycotts-its-own-comedy-show-1901731.html|archive-date=18 February 2010}} He hosted the second week of Channel 4's FAQ U, and appeared as himself in an episode of Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive, a panel show parody. He also appeared as one of the participants on the Channel 4 show TV Heaven, Telly Hell,{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0792788/ |title=TV Heaven, Telly Hell |publisher=IMDb |access-date=17 March 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609042129/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0792788/ |archive-date=9 June 2011 }} and has appeared on several episodes of Question Time.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/7941467.stm |title=Tax flights, not chocolate |access-date=13 March 2009 |date=13 March 2009 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316162142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/7941467.stm |archive-date=16 March 2009 }}

Other appearances include QI, Have I Got News for You, Mock the Week, Just a Minute, Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive and 8 Out of 10 Cats, as well as appearances on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016,{{cite web |url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/The_Big_Fat_Quiz_of_the_Year |title=The Big Fat Quiz of the Year |access-date=4 April 2007 |publisher=UK Gameshows.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103123839/http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/The_Big_Fat_Quiz_of_the_Year |archive-date=3 January 2010 }} 2017,{{cite web

|url = http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-quiz/on-demand/66400-001

|title = Big Fat Quiz

|access-date = 28 December 2017

|publisher = Channel 4

|url-status = live

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232155/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-fat-quiz/on-demand/66400-001

|archive-date = 28 December 2017

|df = dmy-all

}} 2018 and 2020.

In a 2007 interview with Digital Spy, Mitchell stated that he enjoyed panel shows, as they are "a game worth playing". He then further explained his appreciation of the panel format by challenging criticism from Fast Show co-creator Charlie Higson, who stated in September 2013 that panel comedies were overtaking television programming at the expense of sketch shows and sitcoms:

{{Blockquote|text=

There was a quote from Catherine Zeta-Jones about playing golf with her husband Michael Douglas. We essentially all started to imagine the scene of the two of them playing golf and that was very enjoyable and turned into a really fun bit of TV. It is moments like that which, for me, justify the existence of panel shows because no-one would ever have written those words. It purely came out of that combination of people which proves panel shows can produce funny TV in a way you could never write into a sitcom or a sketch show and thereby justifies its place on screen. I think it is a great form of entertainment and we shouldn't lose sight of that.}}

The Radio Times named him "The Best Comedy Panel Show Guest" in the world, stating that "he's incredibly, disgustingly witty" and "even starting to make Paul Merton look slow on the uptake".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/peep-show/the-best-comedy-panel-show-guest/ |title=The Best…Comedy Panel Show Guest |access-date=5 May 2007 |magazine=Radio Times |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070527141810/http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/peep-show/the-best-comedy-panel-show-guest/ |archive-date=27 May 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Following his BAFTA win, Mitchell was ranked at No. 53 in the 2009 MediaGuardian 100, an annual ranking of media people in The Guardian. In reference to his ubiquitous presence in broadcast and print media, The Guardian{{'}}s writer called him "the go-to funnyman of the moment".{{cite news |author=Staff |date=13 July 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/10/david-mitchell-mediaguardian-100-2009 |title=53: David Mitchell |publisher=MediaGuardian.co.uk (Guardian News & Media) |access-date=13 July 2009 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325090633/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/10/david-mitchell-mediaguardian-100-2009 |archive-date=25 March 2014 }} In their entry for Peep Show on their list of "The top 50 TV shows of the Noughties", The Times labelled Mitchell "a national institution".{{cite news|url=https://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6955835.ece|title=The top 50 TV shows of the Noughties|date=19 December 2009|work=The Times|author1=Andrew Billen|author2=David Chater|author3=Tim Teeman|author4=Caitlin Moran|location=London}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Influences

Mitchell's favourite actor is Alec Guinness,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/peep-show/david-mitchell-tv-favourites/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090115205521/http://www.radiotimes.com/content/show-features/peep-show/david-mitchell-tv-favourites/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 January 2009 |title=David Mitchell's TV favourites |access-date=5 May 2007 |magazine=Radio Times|date=April 2007}} and he lists Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Peter Cook as his comedy idols. Additionally, following the death of British actor Richard Briers in February 2013, Mitchell revealed that whenever he has acted he "always hoped to be something like him".{{cite web |title=Penelope Keith leads tributes to Richard Briers |url=http://www.virginmedia.com/newsfeeds//11587/2013/02/19/penelope-keith-leads-tributes/ |access-date=9 June 2013 |date=19 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325065727/http://www.virginmedia.com/newsfeeds//11587/2013/02/19/penelope-keith-leads-tributes/ |archive-date=25 March 2014 }} Mitchell has also identified Morecambe and Wise, Monty Python and The Two Ronnies as highly influential on his career.

Personal life

Mitchell has often joked about his personal life in interviews. In 2005, he stated, "I've been in so many situations when I've just said nothing to someone I've fancied." He later added, "I'm sort of all right on my own. I don't want it to be forever, but the fundamental thing is I'm all right alone." For many years, he lived in Kilburn, London as the flatmate of novelist Robert Hudson.{{sfn|Mitchell|2012|page=263}} In 2006, he was the best man at his comedy partner Robert Webb's wedding.{{cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |title=Robert Webb: a peep into the future |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/may/31/robert-webb-after-peep-show |newspaper=The Guardian |date=31 May 2013 |access-date=13 October 2021}}

Mitchell met broadcaster Victoria Coren at Jonathan Ross' 2007 Halloween party and was "completely smitten". She decided to pursue someone else at the time and he later admitted to pining for her, but they had begun dating by December 2010.{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=David |date=19 December 2010 |title=David Mitchell under the spotlight |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/dec/19/david-mitchell-under-the-spotlight |access-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110202937/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/dec/19/david-mitchell-under-the-spotlight |archive-date=10 November 2013 }}{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Tim |date=6 March 2011 |title=David Mitchell's double act with Victoria Coren |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/8362654/David-Mitchells-double-act-with-Victoria-Coren.html |access-date=7 March 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308024810/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/8362654/David-Mitchells-double-act-with-Victoria-Coren.html |archive-date=8 March 2011 }} They were married on 17 November 2012, with Robert Webb as his best man.{{cite news |last=Seale |first=Jack |date=20 March 2012 |title=David Mitchell and Victoria Coren announce engagement |magazine=Radio Times |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-03-20/david-mitchell-and-victoria-coren-announce-engagement |access-date=20 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322185633/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-03-20/david-mitchell-and-victoria-coren-announce-engagement |archive-date=22 March 2012 }}{{cite web |title=That Mitchell and Coren wedding |date=19 November 2012 |website=www.standard.co.uk |language=en-UK |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/that-mitchell-and-coren-wedding-8329334.html |access-date=9 July 2021}} Their first daughter was born in May 2015.{{cite news |title=Victoria Coren M. on Twitter |website=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/VictoriaCoren/status/601749407063769090 |access-date=6 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028160822/https://twitter.com/VictoriaCoren/status/601749407063769090 |archive-date=28 October 2017}} On 1 November 2023, they announced the birth of their second daughter.{{Cite tweet |number=1719751398399541273 |user=VictoriaCoren |title=Many people are assuming my tweet yesterday was a Halloween costume. Not at all; last week I had a baby and nothing currently fits me except cloaks. Luckily, Only Connect is a pre-record. Happy All Saints Day! ❤️ |first=Victoria Coren |last=Mitchell |date=2023-11-01}} They currently live in Belsize Park, North London.{{cite web | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tycoon-saves-ps260-000-in-estate-agents-fees-by-selling-ps15m-home-on-internet-9809092.html | title=Tycoon saves £260,000 in estate agents' fees by selling £15m home | website=Evening Standard | date=21 October 2014 }}

Mitchell remains interested in world history. In a 2006 interview with The Observer, he said "I can see myself in a few years' time joining the National Trust and going round the odd castle. I think I might find that restful as the anger of middle age sets in."{{cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Ben |date=25 August 2006 |title=A pair of jokers |newspaper=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/observerblog/2006/aug/25/apairofjoker |access-date=12 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110203028/http://www.theguardian.com/news/observerblog/2006/aug/25/apairofjoker |archive-date=10 November 2013 }} In his 2007 interview on Parkinson, he said that if he could go back in time to do one thing, he would choose to attend the construction of Stonehenge to ask them "why they were bothering".{{cite interview |last=Mitchell |first=David |interviewer=Parkinson, M. |publisher=ITV1 |location=London, UK |date=5 May 2007 |title=Parkinson }}

Mitchell is a cricket and snooker fan;{{cite web |author1=Catt, Lizzie |author2=Higgins, Lisa |author3=Teague, Jack |date=14 February 2012 |title=Robert Webb swots up on cricket for benefit of David Mitchell |newspaper=Daily Express |url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/301996/Robert-Webb-swots-up-on-cricket-for-benefit-of-David-Mitchell |access-date=28 November 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2009/07/75_years_of_hurt.shtml |title=BBC – Test Match special: 75 years of hurt are ended |date=20 July 2009 |first=Adam |last=Mountford |access-date=28 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401032708/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2009/07/75_years_of_hurt.shtml |archive-date=1 April 2016}}{{cite news |first=David |last=Mitchell |date=18 December 2010 |title=David Mitchell under the spotlight |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/dec/19/david-mitchell-under-the-spotlight |access-date=28 November 2016 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324084728/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/dec/19/david-mitchell-under-the-spotlight |archive-date=24 March 2016}} he also enjoys playing tennis and squash. He is an agnostic.{{sfn|Mitchell|2012|pp=157–158}}

Mitchell cites Evelyn Waugh among his favourite authors. He appeared on the radio programme Desert Island Discs in 2009.{{cite web |title=David Mitchell |department=Programmes |website=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ln1b2 |access-date=19 July 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721032308/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ln1b2 |archive-date=21 July 2009 }} He revealed that he once attended a Shirley Bassey concert and that he owns just two albums: Phil Collins' ... But Seriously and Susan Boyle's I Dreamed a Dream.{{cite news |first=David |last=Mitchell |date=6 December 2009 |title=Boyle's in the bag, now time for Marmite |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/dec/06/album-buying-tribal-choice |access-date=6 December 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926052541/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/dec/06/album-buying-tribal-choice |archive-date=26 September 2013 }}

Mitchell, who has Scottish ancestry, was one of 200 public figures who signed an open letter to The Guardian in August 2014 expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue.{{cite news |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |place=London, UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |access-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817131736/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |archive-date=17 August 2014 }} His participation followed a May 2011 column in The Observer in which he wrote, "If Scotland ever goes it alone [...] the British will have lost their country."{{cite news |author=Mitchell, David |date=15 May 2011 |title=If Scotland does secede, I won't be alone in mourning for my country |newspaper=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/15/david-mitchell-scotland-secession-britain?guni=Article:in%20body%20link |access-date=29 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903153039/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/15/david-mitchell-scotland-secession-britain?guni=Article:in%20body%20link |archive-date=3 September 2014}}

Credits

=Film=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
rowspan="2"\| 2007 \| Magicians \| Harry \| First starring role
I Could Never Be Your Woman \| David \|
2015 \| Up All Night \| Policeman \|
2017 \|Gun Shy \|John Hardigger \|
2019 \| Greed \| Nick Morris \|
2023 \|Migration \| GooGoo (voice) \|

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

rowspan="2"| 2007

| Magicians

| Harry

| First starring role

I Could Never Be Your Woman

| David

2015

| Up All Night

| Policeman

2017

|Gun Shy

|John Hardigger

2019

| Greed

| Nick Morris

2023

|Migration

| GooGoo (voice)

=Television=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
1997 \| The Jack Docherty Show \| rowspan="3" \| Various characters \| Also writer
1998 \| Comedy Nation \|
2000 \| Bruiser \| Also writer; appeared in all six episodes
rowspan="3"\| 2001 \| Fun at the Funeral Parlour \| Strachan \| Episode 1.4: "The Mountains of Doom"
The Mitchell and Webb Situation \| Various characters \| Also writer; appeared in all six episodes
Comedy Lab \| Ray \| Daydream Believers: "Brand New Beamer"; later adapted into a radio one-off
2002 \| TLC \| 1950s patient \| Episode 1.6: "Agency Nurse"
2003 \| The Strategic Humour Initiative \| Various characters \|
2003–2015 \| Peep Show \| Mark Corrigan \| Longest running role; Won – British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor in 2007 Nominated – BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance in 2008 Won – BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance in 2009{{cite news \|title=BAFTA TV Awards 2009: The winners \|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7960793.stm \|publisher=BBC \|date=26 April 2009 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327181343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7960793.stm \|archive-date=27 March 2009 }} Nominated – BAFTA for Male Performance in a Comedy Role in 2010, 2011
2004 \| Doctors and Nurses \| Dr Toby Stephens \|
rowspan="5"\| 2005 \| Twisted Tales \| Ray \| Episode 1.9: "Nothing to Fear"; also writer
All About George \| Jed \| Episode 1.3
Dirty tricks \| Penguin \| Episode 1.5
Look Around You \| Pat Taylor \| Episode 2.6: "Live Final"
ShakespeaRe-Told \| Tim Agnew \| Episode 1.3: The Taming of the Shrew
rowspan="2" \| 2006 \| Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive \| 'Himself' \| Episode 1.1
Blunder \|Various characters \| Also writer
2006–2009 \| Jam & Jerusalem \| Dr James Vine \| Appeared in 12 episodes
2006–2010 \| That Mitchell and Webb Look \| Various characters \| Also writer; Won – BAFTA for Best Comedy Programme or Series in 2007; nominated 2009 Two British Comedy Award nominations
2009–2012 \| Phineas and Ferb \| Mitch \| Two episodes
2010 \| Playing Shop \| \| Also writer, unaired pilot.
2011 \| How TV Ruined Your Life \| 'Himself' \| Episode 1.6
2011–2012 \| The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff \| Jolliforth Jollington \| Two episodes
2012 \| Doctor Who \| Robot (voice) \| Episode 7.2: "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"
2013 \| Ambassadors \| Keith Davis{{cite web \|last=Fletcher \|first=Alex \|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a401329/bottom-reunion-mitchell-and-webb-sue-perkins-comedies-for-bbc-two.html \|title='Bottom' reunion, Mitchell and Webb, Sue Perkins comedies for BBC Two \|website=Digital Spy \|access-date=23 August 2012 \|date=23 August 2012 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825151231/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a401329/bottom-reunion-mitchell-and-webb-sue-perkins-comedies-for-bbc-two.html \|archive-date=25 August 2012 }} \|
2014 \| The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm \| rowspan="2" \| Harold Haggerstone \| rowspan="2" \| TV film
2015 \| Harry Hill in Professor Branestawm Returns
2016–2020 \| Upstart Crow \| William Shakespeare \| Sitcom
2016– \| Peppa Pig \| Police Officer Panda \| Animated series
2017–2021 \|Back \|Stephen \|Also executive producer
rowspan="2" \|2021 \|Hey Duggee \|Spaceship Computer (voice) \|Animated series. In the episode "The Action Hero Badge".
The Cleaner \|Terence Redford \|Episode 1.2
2022 \|Rick and Morty \|Blond Knight \|Season 6, Episode 9, "A Rick in King Mortur's Mort"
2024 \|Ludwig{{Cite web \|title=Jon Petrie announces new and returning series featuring stellar talent and rising stars at the BBC's Comedy Festival in Cardiff \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/jon-petrie-new-returning-comedy-series-bbc \|access-date=26 May 2023 \|website=www.bbc.co.uk \|language=en}} \|Ludwig and James Taylor \|Six episodes. Comedy series.

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

1997

| The Jack Docherty Show

| rowspan="3" | Various characters

| Also writer

1998

| Comedy Nation

2000

| Bruiser

| Also writer; appeared in all six episodes

rowspan="3"| 2001

| Fun at the Funeral Parlour

| Strachan

| Episode 1.4: "The Mountains of Doom"

The Mitchell and Webb Situation

| Various characters

| Also writer; appeared in all six episodes

Comedy Lab

| Ray

| Daydream Believers: "Brand New Beamer"; later adapted into a radio one-off

2002

| TLC

| 1950s patient

| Episode 1.6: "Agency Nurse"

2003

| The Strategic Humour Initiative

| Various characters

2003–2015

| Peep Show

| Mark Corrigan

| Longest running role;
Won – British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor in 2007
Nominated – BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance in 2008
Won – BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance in 2009{{cite news |title=BAFTA TV Awards 2009: The winners |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7960793.stm |publisher=BBC |date=26 April 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327181343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7960793.stm |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}
Nominated – BAFTA for Male Performance in a Comedy Role in 2010, 2011

2004

| Doctors and Nurses

| Dr Toby Stephens

rowspan="5"| 2005

| Twisted Tales

| Ray

| Episode 1.9: "Nothing to Fear"; also writer

All About George

| Jed

| Episode 1.3

Dirty tricks

| Penguin

| Episode 1.5

Look Around You

| Pat Taylor

| Episode 2.6: "Live Final"

ShakespeaRe-Told

| Tim Agnew

| Episode 1.3: The Taming of the Shrew

rowspan="2" | 2006

| Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive

| 'Himself'

| Episode 1.1

Blunder

|Various characters

| Also writer

2006–2009

| Jam & Jerusalem

| Dr James Vine

| Appeared in 12 episodes

2006–2010

| That Mitchell and Webb Look

| Various characters

| Also writer;
Won – BAFTA for Best Comedy Programme or Series in 2007; nominated 2009
Two British Comedy Award nominations

2009–2012

| Phineas and Ferb

| Mitch

| Two episodes

2010

| Playing Shop

| Also writer, unaired pilot.

2011

| How TV Ruined Your Life

| 'Himself'

| Episode 1.6

2011–2012

| The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff

| Jolliforth Jollington

| Two episodes

2012

| Doctor Who

| Robot (voice)

| Episode 7.2: "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship"

2013

| Ambassadors

| Keith Davis{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Alex |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a401329/bottom-reunion-mitchell-and-webb-sue-perkins-comedies-for-bbc-two.html |title='Bottom' reunion, Mitchell and Webb, Sue Perkins comedies for BBC Two |website=Digital Spy |access-date=23 August 2012 |date=23 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825151231/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a401329/bottom-reunion-mitchell-and-webb-sue-perkins-comedies-for-bbc-two.html |archive-date=25 August 2012 }}

2014

| The Incredible Adventures of Professor Branestawm

| rowspan="2" | Harold Haggerstone

| rowspan="2" | TV film

2015

| Harry Hill in Professor Branestawm Returns

2016–2020

| Upstart Crow

| William Shakespeare

| Sitcom

2016–

| Peppa Pig

| Police Officer Panda

| Animated series

2017–2021

|Back

|Stephen

|Also executive producer

rowspan="2" |2021

|Hey Duggee

|Spaceship Computer (voice)

|Animated series. In the episode "The Action Hero Badge".

The Cleaner

|Terence Redford

|Episode 1.2

2022

|Rick and Morty

|Blond Knight

|Season 6, Episode 9, "A Rick in King Mortur's Mort"

2024

|Ludwig{{Cite web |title=Jon Petrie announces new and returning series featuring stellar talent and rising stars at the BBC's Comedy Festival in Cardiff |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2023/jon-petrie-new-returning-comedy-series-bbc |access-date=26 May 2023 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}}

|Ludwig and James Taylor

|Six episodes. Comedy series.

==Non-fictional appearances==

;As narrator

Beauty and the Geek (2006)
Sci-Fi Saved My Life (2007)
TV Is Dead? (2007)
Wonderland – The Secret Life of Norman Wisdom Aged 92¾ (2008)
Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga (2008)
Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments (2008)
The Real Swiss Family Robinson (2009)
The Million Pound Bike Ride: A Sport Relief Special (2010)
Around the World in 90 Minutes (2010)
Horizon: Dancing in the Dark: The End of Physics? (2015)
Marks & Spencer Channel 4 Mrs Claus endorsement (2016)

;Panel games

Fanorama – Team captain (2001–2002)
Does Doug Know? – 2 appearances (2002)
FAQ U – Host for 5 episodes (2005)
Have I Got News for You – 17 appearances; 14 times as guest presenter (2005–2018)
Mock the Week – 11 appearances (2005–2009)
QI – 32 appearances (2005–2021)
The Big Fat Quiz of the Year – 9 appearances (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020)
Best of the Worst – Team captain (2006)
Would I Lie to You? – Team captain (2007–)
The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz – 1 appearance (2007)
8 Out of 10 Cats – 1 appearance (2008)
You Have Been Watching – 2 appearances (2009–2010)
The Bubble – host (2010)
24 Hour Panel People – 1 appearance (2011)
The Big Fat Quiz of the '00s – 1 appearance (2012)
The Big Fat Quiz of the '80s – 1 appearance (2013)
Only Connect – 1 appearance (2013)
Was it Something I Said? – host (2013)
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown – 8 appearances (2014–2019)
Outsiders – host (2021)

;Other programmes

The 100 Greatest Cartoons (2005)
Britain's 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches (2005)
Imagine – 1 appearance (2006)
TV Heaven, Telly Hell – 1 appearance (2006)
The Law of the Playground – 7 appearances (2006)
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross – 2 appearances (2007, 2009)
The World's Greatest Comedy Characters (2007)
Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy (2007)
Parkinson – 1 appearance (2007)
Time Shift – 1 appearance (2007)
Lily Allen and Friends – 1 appearance (2008)
The Graham Norton Show – 4 appearances (2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
Question Time – 3 appearances (2008, 2009, 2011)
Who Do You Think You Are? – 1 appearance (2009)
This Morning – 3 appearances (2009, 2012, 2013)
The One Show – 2 appearances (2009, 2011)
Alan Carr: Chatty Man – 2 appearances (2009, 2013)
Channel 4's Comedy Gala (2010)
Channel 4's Alternative Election Night – host (2010)
BBC Breakfast – 5 appearances (2010, 2011, 2012)
10 O'Clock Live – Co-host (2011–2013)
Mark Lawson Talks to... – 1 appearance (2011)
Ronnie Corbett's Comedy Britain – 1 appearance (2011)
QI – Genesis (2011)
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow (2011)
Channel 4's 30 Greatest Comedy Shows (2012)
The Jonathan Ross Show (2012)
Goodbye Television Centre (2013)
The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden Treasure (2014)
50 Years of BBC2 Comedy
The Last Leg – 2 appearances (2015, 2019)
Celebrity Gogglebox for su2c – 1 appearance (2020) alongside Victoria Coren Mitchell

=Podcasts=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Host ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
2009–2012 \| David Mitchell's Soapbox \| Host \| David Mitchell \|Series of short comedy rants
2012 \| Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast \| Guest \| Richard Herring \|Comedy styled interview
2016 \| Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast \| Guest \| Richard Herring \|Comedy styled interview
2019 \|Adam Buxton's Podcast \|Guest \|Adam Buxton \|Ep.89
2020 \| My Time Capsule \| Guest \| Michael Fenton Stevens \| Ep.38
2020 \| Podcast Secrets Of the Pharaohs: A Peep Show Podcast \| Guest \| Tom Harrison & Rob Graham \|
2020 \|Rule Of Three \|Guest \|Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris \|(Remain Indoors Special)
\|How To Academy Podcast \|Guest \|Hannah MacInnes \|David Mitchell – Dishonesty is the Second Best Policy
2021 \| Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast \| Guest \| Richard Herring \|Comedy styled interview
2022 \|Brydon & \|Guest \|Rob Brydon \|Interview
2023 \| Willy Willy Harry Stee... \| Guest \| Charlie Higson \| Historical podcast

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Host

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

2009–2012

| David Mitchell's Soapbox

| Host

| David Mitchell

|Series of short comedy rants

2012

| Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

| Guest

| Richard Herring

|Comedy styled interview

2016

| Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

| Guest

| Richard Herring

|Comedy styled interview

2019

|Adam Buxton's Podcast

|Guest

|Adam Buxton

|Ep.89

2020

| My Time Capsule

| Guest

| Michael Fenton Stevens

| Ep.38

2020

| Podcast Secrets Of the Pharaohs: A Peep Show Podcast

| Guest

| Tom Harrison & Rob Graham

2020

|Rule Of Three

|Guest

|Jason Hazeley and Joel Morris

|(Remain Indoors Special)

|How To Academy Podcast

|Guest

|Hannah MacInnes

|David Mitchell – Dishonesty is the Second Best Policy

2021

| Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

| Guest

| Richard Herring

|Comedy styled interview

2022

|Brydon &

|Guest

|Rob Brydon

|Interview

2023

| Willy Willy Harry Stee...

| Guest

| Charlie Higson

| Historical podcast

=Radio=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Station ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
2001 \| Until Morning \| \| BBC Radio 4 \|Afternoon Play
2001–2005 \| Think the Unthinkable \| Owen \| BBC Radio 4 \| 4 series
2003–2013 \| That Mitchell and Webb Sound \| Various \| BBC Radio 4 \| 5 series; also writer
2005 \|Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends \|Kieran, Police Officer \| BBC Radio 4 \|Series 4, Episode 3,{{cite web \| url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/robin_wendys_wet_weekends/episodes/4/3/ \| title=Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends Series 4, Episode 3 - Baby Love \| website=British Comedy Guide }}
2006 \| Vent \| John Dee \| BBC Radio 4 \|
2007 \| Daydream Believers \| Ray \| BBC Radio 2 \| Pilot
2008 \| Bleak Expectations \| Reverend Fecund \| BBC Radio 4 \| 3 appearances
2009 \| The Death of Grass \| Narrator \| BBC Radio 4 \|
2014 \| Blocked \| Felix \| BBC Radio 4 \|
2017 \| Time Spanner \| Daniel Kraken \| BBC Radio 4 \| Pilot
2022 \|Severus \|Sammonicus \| BBC Radio 4 \| BBC Studio Drama

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Station

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

2001

| Until Morning

| BBC Radio 4

|Afternoon Play

2001–2005

| Think the Unthinkable

| Owen

| BBC Radio 4

| 4 series

2003–2013

| That Mitchell and Webb Sound

| Various

| BBC Radio 4

| 5 series; also writer

2005

|Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends

|Kieran, Police Officer

| BBC Radio 4

|Series 4, Episode 3,{{cite web | url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/robin_wendys_wet_weekends/episodes/4/3/ | title=Robin and Wendy's Wet Weekends Series 4, Episode 3 - Baby Love | website=British Comedy Guide }}

2006

| Vent

| John Dee

| BBC Radio 4

2007

| Daydream Believers

| Ray

| BBC Radio 2

| Pilot

2008

| Bleak Expectations

| Reverend Fecund

| BBC Radio 4

| 3 appearances

2009

| The Death of Grass

| Narrator

| BBC Radio 4

2014

| Blocked

| Felix

| BBC Radio 4

2017

| Time Spanner

| Daniel Kraken

| BBC Radio 4

| Pilot

2022

|Severus

|Sammonicus

| BBC Radio 4

| BBC Studio Drama

==Non-fictional appearances==

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Station ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
2006– \| The Unbelievable Truth \|Host \| BBC Radio 4 \|31 series
2008–2025 \| Heresy \|Panellist \| BBC Radio 4 \| 12 appearances
2009-2010 \|Just a Minute \|Guest \|BBC Radio 4 \|4 appearances
rowspan="2" \|2009 \|Desert Island Discs \|Guest \|BBC Radio 4 \|1 appearance
The News Quiz \|Guest \|BBC Radio 4 \|1 appearance
2009-2011 \|I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue \|Panellist \|BBC Radio 4 \|6 appearances
2013 \| Radio 2's History of British Comedy \|Narrator \| BBC Radio 2 \|
2016 \| Behaving Ourselves: Mitchell on Manners \| Narrator \|BBC Radio 4 \|4 episodes
2021 \|Mitchell on Meetings \|Narrator \|BBC Radio 4 \|3 episodes

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Station

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

2006–

| The Unbelievable Truth

|Host

| BBC Radio 4

|31 series

2008–2025

| Heresy

|Panellist

| BBC Radio 4

| 12 appearances

2009-2010

|Just a Minute

|Guest

|BBC Radio 4

|4 appearances

rowspan="2" |2009

|Desert Island Discs

|Guest

|BBC Radio 4

|1 appearance

The News Quiz

|Guest

|BBC Radio 4

|1 appearance

2009-2011

|I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue

|Panellist

|BBC Radio 4

|6 appearances

2013

| Radio 2's History of British Comedy

|Narrator

| BBC Radio 2

2016

| Behaving Ourselves: Mitchell on Manners

| Narrator

|BBC Radio 4

|4 episodes

2021

|Mitchell on Meetings

|Narrator

|BBC Radio 4

|3 episodes

=Books=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
2009 \| This Mitchell and Webb Book \|Co-author with Robert Webb; comedy book
2012 \| Back Story: A Memoir \|Autobiography
2014 \| Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse{{cite web\|title=David Mitchell New Book\|url=http://faber.co.uk/content/guardian-faber-acquire-new-david-mitchell\|publisher=Faber\|access-date=3 October 2014\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101613/http://faber.co.uk/content/guardian-faber-acquire-new-david-mitchell\|archive-date=6 October 2014}} \|
2019 \|Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy: And Other Rules to Live By{{Cite web \|title=Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy: And Other Rules t… \|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/68289873-dishonesty-is-the-second-best-policy \|access-date=25 May 2023 \|website=Goodreads \|language=en}} \|
2023 \| Unruly: A History Of England’s Kings and Queens{{Cite web \|title=@RealDMitchell \|url=https://twitter.com/RealDMitchell/status/1656949656301993986 \|access-date=25 May 2023 \|website=Twitter \|language=en}} \|History and comedy book

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

2009

| This Mitchell and Webb Book

|Co-author with Robert Webb; comedy book

2012

| Back Story: A Memoir

|Autobiography

2014

| Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse{{cite web|title=David Mitchell New Book|url=http://faber.co.uk/content/guardian-faber-acquire-new-david-mitchell|publisher=Faber|access-date=3 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101613/http://faber.co.uk/content/guardian-faber-acquire-new-david-mitchell|archive-date=6 October 2014}}

2019

|Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy: And Other Rules to Live By{{Cite web |title=Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy: And Other Rules t… |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/68289873-dishonesty-is-the-second-best-policy |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}

2023

| Unruly: A History Of England’s Kings and Queens{{Cite web |title=@RealDMitchell |url=https://twitter.com/RealDMitchell/status/1656949656301993986 |access-date=25 May 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

|History and comedy book

=Audiobooks=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Title ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Author ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" \| Notes
2012 \|Back Story: A Memoir \|Author and Narrator \|David Mitchell \|autobiography
rowspan="5"\| 2017 \|Oi Frog! \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
Oi Dog! \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
Oi Cat! \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
How Many Legs? \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
Quick Quack Quentin \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
2018 \|Oi Duck-billed Platypus! \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
rowspan="2" \|2019 \|Oi Puppies! \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse \|Author and Narrator \|David Mitchell \|Hardcover source published 2014
2020 \|Oi Aardvark! \|Narrator \|Kes Gray \|
2023 \|Unruly: A History Of England’s Kings and Queens \|Author and Narrator \|David Mitchell \|

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"

style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Author

! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes

2012

|Back Story: A Memoir

|Author and Narrator

|David Mitchell

|autobiography

rowspan="5"| 2017