Tom Machell

In 2013 Machell was cast in News Revue at The Canal Cafe Theatre whose alumni include Alistair McGowan, Reece Shearsmith, Bill Bailey & Sara Pascoe. After a successful run, he, along with his cast mates formed narrative sketch group zazU^[1] who went on to perform five sell out shows at Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre. zazU was a character and narrative based comedy show built from a host of absurd inhabitants, alternative laws and epic goings on. The group won The Three Weeks Editors Choice award for Best Show in 2016.^[2]

In 2019 Machell wrote and starred in his debut play Ticker after losing a high school friend to an undiagnosed heart condition. The play was published by Playdead Press^[3] achieving critical acclaim.^[4]

In 2019 Machell played Robert in the London revival of David Greig's play Outlying Islands^[5] the production was nominated for an Off West End Award for Best Production.^[6]

In 2020, Machell won the Uk Film Festival Best Short Script for 'A Spoonful' ^[7]

Television and film acting credits for Machell include Vera,^[8] Hullraisers,^[9] The Emily Atack Show, Doctors and Emmerdale. He was part of the modern cast of BBC Radio 4's revival of Our Friends in The North.^[10]

In 2024, it was announced that Machell will write and star in a four part sitcom 'Tom and Lauren are going OOT' for BBC Radio 4 alongside fellow Geordie Lauren Pattison.^[11] The series also guest stars Julian Clarey and Louise Young.^[12] In August 2025 it was announced that Radio 4 commissioned a second series.^[13]

Machell alongside Co-writer Pattison were nominated for the North East Culture Awards 2025 for Best Writer for Series 1 of Tom and Lauren are Going OOT.^[14] Machell was shortlisted for Best Comedy Performance of the Year at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2026.^[15]