If you’ve ever watched a man in a slightly ill-fitting suit recite a poem about a dead dog while clutching a can of Stella Artois, you’ve probably met Tim Key. He’s the guy who somehow makes "uncomfortable" feel like home. For years, Key has been the secret weapon of British comedy, the kind of actor who shows up for three minutes, steals the entire episode, and then vanishes back into the mist of the Edinburgh Fringe.
But lately, the mist is clearing. Between his tenure as Alan Partridge's verbal punching bag and a starring role in 2025’s sleeper hit The Ballad of Wallis Island, Key’s filmography has become a roadmap of the best—and weirdest—British television has to offer.
The Sidekick Who Refused to Leave: Alan Partridge and Beyond
Most people first clocked him as Sidekick Simon in Mid Morning Matters. It was a masterclass in cringeworthy chemistry. He played the "beta" to Steve Coogan’s ultimate "alpha," suffering through Partridge’s bizarre metaphors and casual cruelty with a look of resigned confusion.
When This Time with Alan Partridge hit screens, Simon Denton was still there, now desperately trying to maintain dignity on live TV while Alan actively sabotaged him. It’s one of those Tim Key movies and tv shows dynamics that shouldn't work for ten years, but it does because Key knows exactly how to play a man who is both terrified of and obsessed with his boss.
Honestly, though, if you only know him from Partridge, you're missing the deep cuts.
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Take The Witchfinder (2022). Key plays Gideon Bannister, a failing witchfinder in 1645 who is basically just a middle manager with a horse. He’s traveling across East Anglia with a "witch" played by Daisy May Cooper. The show is bleak, muddy, and incredibly funny because Key plays it straight. He isn't "doing a voice." He's just a guy who really needs this promotion to "Senior Witchfinder" to work out, even if it means burning a few innocent people.
The 2025 Pivot: The Ballad of Wallis Island and The Paper
Something shifted recently. In early 2025, Key co-wrote and starred in The Ballad of Wallis Island alongside Carey Mulligan. This wasn't just a guest spot; it was a leading man moment. Playing a musician named Chris, Key brought that signature "shambolic energy" to a story about isolation and creative burnout. It’s arguably his most grounded work to date, proving he can do more than just surrealist stanzas.
Then there’s the big one: The Paper.
Word got out in late 2024 that Greg Daniels (the brain behind the US Office) was eyeing Key for a role in this new mockumentary. Set in the same universe as Dunder Mifflin, The Paper follows a struggling Midwestern newspaper. Key plays Ken Davies, a character that fans are already calling the "British Creed Bratton" but with more existential dread. Seeing Key bring his specific brand of Cambridge-educated chaos to a massive US production has been... well, it’s been a trip.
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He even spent time in L.A. documenting the experience for his latest book, L.A. Baby!, which basically confirms that even in Hollywood, Tim Key is still just a man looking for a decent sandwich and a place to sit down.
Key Guest Spots You Probably Forgot
He’s a specialist in the "One-Episode Takeover." If you blink, you’ll miss him, but if you’re paying attention, these are gems:
- Peep Show (The William Morris Years): He played Jerry, Mark Corrigan’s "better" flatmate who actually liked history and tea. Until Jeremy waterboarded him with beer and kicked him out.
- See How They Run (2022): He popped up as Commissioner Harold Scott. Amidst stars like Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell, Key’s dry delivery held its own.
- Inside No. 9: In the episode "Sardines," he’s just one of many people crammed into a wardrobe, yet his presence is felt.
- The End of the Fing World:* He played Gus, the motel owner. It was brief, dark, and perfectly Key.
Why Taskmaster Still Matters
You can't talk about Tim Key movies and tv shows without talking about Taskmaster Series 1. He wasn't just a contestant; he was a consultant. He helped Alex Horne develop the tasks in the early days, and his performance in that first series set the tone for every "cheating" contestant who followed.
Remember the tea bag task? He literally threw it at a tree.
Remember the "pop the balloon" task? He hid a needle in his hand.
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He didn't care about the rules; he cared about the narrative. That’s the Key ethos. Whether he’s playing a 17th-century zealot or a disgraced poet, there’s always a sense that he’s playing a game only he fully understands.
What's Next for the Suit?
Looking ahead into 2026, the momentum isn't slowing down. We're expecting:
- Mickey 17: Yes, the Bong Joon-ho movie. Rumor has it Key has a small but pivotal role (reportedly playing a "pigeon" or someone related to one—it's Bong Joon-ho, so who knows).
- Loganberry: His new live show/film project that’s been touring the UK.
- Late Night Poetry Programme: Season 6 is reportedly in the works for BBC Radio 4.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Key-Watch
If you're looking to dive into the "Key-verse," don't just start with the big stuff. Start with the weird stuff.
- Watch No More Jockeys on YouTube. It’s just him, Alex Horne, and Mark Watson playing a game over Zoom. It’s the purest distillation of his personality you’ll ever find.
- Track down Wonderdate. It’s a BBC short that captures the vulnerability behind the comedy.
- Read the poems. His books, like Chapters or He Used Thought as a Wife, provide the context for the "character" he plays on screen.
Tim Key isn't for everyone. He’s awkward. He’s repetitive. He wears a suit that looks like it was found in a skip. But in a world of polished, over-produced comedy, his messy, poetic, and frequently "cheating" approach to television is exactly what we need.
To get the most out of his filmography, watch The Witchfinder first to see his range, then move to This Time with Alan Partridge to see him at his most subservient. Finally, catch The Ballad of Wallis Island to see what happens when the sidekick finally gets the spotlight.