Andrew Wynford Davies is a renowned Welsh screenwriter, playwright, and novelist, celebrated for his exceptional skill in adapting literary classics for the screen. Born in Rhibwina, a suburb of Cardiff, Davies was the son of educators and grew up in his hometown, where he attended school before studying at University College in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1957.
After working as a school teacher until 1963, Davies took up a position as an English lecturer at the Coventry College of Education (later Warwick University). During this time, he began writing on the side, producing radio dramas, one-off anthology TV scripts, and plays for the BBC. Two of his plays, Fearless Frank and Rose, made it to Broadway in 1980 and 1981, respectively.
Davies's breakthrough came with his TV adaptations of The Legend of King Arthur and R.F. Delderfield's novel To Serve Them All My Days, both released in 1980. He continued to gain popularity with his TV adaptations, including A Very Peculiar Practice in 1986, which was inspired by his own experiences.
In 1990, Davies delivered his biggest blockbuster yet, the political thriller House of Cards, starring Ian Richardson as the corrupt Conservative Whip Francis Urquhart. The series spawned an American adaptation and earned Davies a 1991 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or a Special.
Davies's adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in 1995 made him a household name and elevated Colin Firth to heartthrob status. He was quoted saying, "It changed my life really; changed my career. It made me famous, in a modest sort of way. Nobody had really ever heard of me before Pride and Prejudice, and now people do know my name, and it's all to do with the success of that show."
Davies's success continued with his adaptations of Middlemarch, The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Vanity Fair, Daniel Deronda, Sense & Sensibility, War & Peace, and many more. He has been dubbed "the king of the adaptors" and has commanded fees in excess of £200,000 for a six-part serial.
Throughout his career, Davies has received numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA fellowship for Lifetime Achievement and multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. He has also co-scripted the first two Bridget Jones movies and the espionage drama The Tailor of Panama.
In addition to his work in television, Davies has written radio plays since 1964 and has authored children's novels, including "Conrad's War" (published 1978). He has been married to Diana Lennox Huntley since 1960 and enjoys tennis, food, and alcohol in his free time. Despite his age, Davies continues to be a prolific writer.
