Jocelyn Jee Esien

Jocelyn Jee Esien (born 7 May 1974) is a British comedian, actress and writer of Nigerian origin.

Life and career Esien was born on 7 May 1974 in Hackney, London, to Nigerian parents. She attended Raine's Foundation School, and initially studied law before giving up to study drama, graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. and went on to win a New Talent Award in the Women in Film and Television Awards 2006.

In 2006, she wrote and starred in her own comedy sketch show called Little Miss Jocelyn, a second series of which aired in January 2008. This show marks the first time in the history of television – in either the US or the UK – that a black woman has been given her own solo comedy sketch show. In 2007, Esien featured in Girls Aloud and Sugababes' Comic Relief video for "Walk This Way", where she puts a parking ticket on Ewen Macintosh, a reference to the character Jiffy from the show Little Miss Jocelyn. On 11 June 2009, it was stated that Little Miss Jocelyn would not be brought back for a third series.

From 2009 to 2012, Esien starred in all three series of Beauty of Britain, a comedy-drama on BBC Radio 4 written by Christopher Douglas and Nicola Sanderson, portraying a Nigerian-born agency careworker, Beauty Olonga, newly-arrived in the UK and coming to grips with the country while working in the decrepit British care system.

In November 2009, Esien played the part of waitress Cindie Smith in the ITV series Collision. She appeared in the second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures as Clyde Langer's mother, Carla. In 2010, Esien reprised the role in two further episodes of the show, titled The Empty Planet and aired on 1 and 2 November 2010, as well as in the fifth series story, The Curse of Clyde Langer, which aired on 10 and 11 October 2011.

Esien appeared in the 2010 film StreetDance 3D and wrote an episode of the American reality TV show Jon & Kate Plus 8.

On 22 September 2010, Esien returned to BBC Three for One Non-Blonde: Down Under, an eight-part comedy stunt show with new character creations. She plays characters such as a hermaphrodite rapper and a socialite, touring New Zealand. She also appeared alongside famous British comedians in BBC One's Ronnie Corbett Christmas special, The One Ronnie.

In 2011, Esien appeared as Tasha in British comedy Anuvahood. and also in the BBC Three coming-of-age comedy series Some Girls.

She has also made numerous stage appearances. In January and February 2013, she appeared in One Monkey Don't Stop No Show by the American playwright Don Evans, and thereafter toured with the play nationally.

In 2013, Esien appeared in Gangsta Granny as Kelly. She also appeared in the BBC comedy Big School as Daphne, the personal assistant and secretary to headmistress Ms Baron (Frances de la Tour) from 2013 to 2014.

Esien's other television appearances include: Autumn Leaves, a BBC comedy-drama Some Girls Uncle Max After You've Gone Holby City The Lenny Henry Show Ed Stone is Dead Comedy Nation Douglas In The Name of Love (television film).

Esien appeared in a cameo role as a PCSO in the long running BBC sitcom "Not Going Out" on 15 April 2022.

Filmography

Film Title Role Year Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Nigerian TV Presenter 2016 Anuvahood Tasha 2011 StreetDance 3D Delilah (Shawna's boss) 2010 The Hustle Other Chloe (a pub girl) (2019)

TV Title Role Year Notes Mr Big Stuff Jazmine 2024 Not Going Out Police Woman 2022 Death in Paradise Zelda Moncrief 2021 Christmas special episode Turn Up Charlie Aunty Lydia 2019 The Midnight Gang Tootsie 2018 BBC adaptation of David Walliams's book of the same name. Upstart Crow Lucy 2017-2018 series regular Big School Daphne 2013-2014 series regular Gangsta Granny Kelly 2013 television film The Revolting World of Stanley Brown Olivia 2012 series regular Some Girls Martine 2012, 2014 series 1, episode 5 series 3, episode 1 The Sarah Jane Adventures Carla Langer 2008-2011 5 episodes The One Ronnie Restaurant Diner 2010 television film 1 Non Blonde Didio/Titchy/Pammy 2010 Writer/director/producer Collision Cindie Smith 2009 television mini-series Uncle Max Diva 2008 episode: "Uncle Max Goes to the Opera" Jon & Kate Plus 8 Herself 2008 Writer, episode: "Potty Training the Boys" Little Miss Jocelyn Various 2006-2008 Writer After You've Gone Lucy 2007 episode: "Stuck in the Middle with You" Strictly Confidential Chantelle Rimmington 2006 series 1, episode 2 Holby City Trace Smith 2005 episode: "No Pain No Gain" The Lenny Henry Show Herself 2004 Writer 3 Non-Blondes Various 2003 Series 1 (only series) In the Name of Love Rachel 1999 television film Babymother Yvette 1998 The Bill Millie Densmore 1998 episode: "One of the Gang" The Fast Show Jocelyn Esien 1997 series 3, episode 6