Honestly, most people think they know Warwick Davis because they grew up with Wicket the Ewok or watched him teach Charms at Hogwarts. But if you only know him from the big screen, you're missing the weirdest, funniest, and most surprisingly heartfelt parts of his career. The world of Warwick Davis TV shows is a bizarre mix of high-fantasy epics, brutal mockumentaries, and even daytime game shows that became cult hits for all the wrong (and right) reasons.
Most folks don't realize that Davis has been a staple of British and American television since the early 80s. It wasn't just a side hustle between Star Wars and Harry Potter. In fact, some of his best work happened when the cameras were smaller and the budgets were tighter.
The Mockumentary That Changed Everything
If you haven't seen Life’s Too Short, you’re basically missing the core of his modern persona. Created with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, this show is uncomfortable. Like, "I want to crawl inside my sofa" uncomfortable. Warwick plays a fictionalized, ego-maniacal version of himself. He’s arrogant, he’s struggling with a messy divorce, and he’s constantly name-dropping A-listers who clearly can't stand him.
It’s brilliant.
The show basically took the template of The Office and Extras and applied it to the life of a "showbiz dwarf." You’ve got these incredible cameos—Liam Neeson trying to do stand-up comedy is a fever dream you didn't know you needed—but Warwick is the glue. He’s willing to be the butt of the joke in ways most actors would find insulting. He leans into the "small man syndrome" trope so hard it becomes a masterclass in self-deprecation.
The Impact of the Gervais Connection
Working with Gervais didn't just stop at one sitcom. Warwick became a recurring "victim" of Karl Pilkington’s logic in An Idiot Abroad. Watching Warwick try to maintain his dignity while Karl complains about literally everything in China or India is peak 2010s television. It showed a side of Warwick that wasn't scripted—patient, witty, and genuinely adventurous.
Why the Willow TV Series Still Matters (Even if Disney Deleted It)
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: the Willow TV series on Disney+. It was a massive deal. Warwick returned to the role that made him a leading man in 1988, and for a minute, it felt like high fantasy was getting its heart back.
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The show was... divisive.
Some fans loved the modern snark; others hated that it felt more like a CW teen drama than a George Lucas epic. But Warwick was undeniably the soul of it. Seeing him as an older, more weary Willow Ufgood gave the character a weight that the original movie only hinted at.
"It's not about the magic you have, it's about the magic you find in the people around you." — A sentiment often echoed in the series.
Then, in a move that still stings for fans, Disney+ scrubbed the show from its platform in 2023 for tax write-offs. It basically became "lost media" overnight. But it matters because it proved Warwick could still carry a multi-million dollar franchise on his shoulders decades later. He wasn't just a legacy cameo; he was the lead.
The King of Daytime: Tenable and the Quiz Show Pivot
You wouldn't expect a guy who fought off the Empire to become a daytime game show legend, but that's exactly what happened with Tenable.
Since 2016, Warwick hosted this ITV quiz show where contestants try to complete Top 10 lists. Sounds simple, right? It is. But Warwick’s hosting style is what made it a staple of British afternoons. He has this dry, almost cheeky delivery that makes even the most boring category—like "The first 10 elements on the periodic table"—feel like a high-stakes drama.
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- The Format: A team of five tries to bank £125,000.
- The Vibe: It’s cozy, slightly nerdy, and very British.
- The Departure: He eventually shared hosting duties with Sally Lindsay, but for many, Warwick is the face of the tower.
Sadly, by late 2024 and heading into 2026, the show has been on a bit of a hiatus. Rumors of its cancellation have floated around, mostly because Warwick has been busy with other things, but its legacy as a "cult" daytime hit is secure. It's the kind of show you end up watching for three hours straight when you're home sick from work.
Narnia and the BBC Years
Before the CGI era took over, the BBC produced adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia that were... well, they were ambitious for the time. Warwick was everywhere in these.
He played Reepicheep in Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989) and then came back as Glimfeather the owl in The Silver Chair (1990). If you go back and watch these now, the costumes look a bit like mascot suits, but Warwick’s performance shines through the felt and fur. He brought a dignity to Reepicheep that actually set the bar for the later big-budget movies.
The Surprising Variety of Warwick Davis TV Shows
It’s easy to pigeonhole him into fantasy, but look at his guest spots. He’s been in Doctor Who (as the brilliant Porridge/Emperor Ludens Nimrod), Merlin, and even the gritty mystery series Murder Rooms.
He’s also done a ton of voice work.
- Moominvalley: He voices Sniff, the greedy but lovable creature.
- Star Wars Rebels: He voiced Rukh, the deadly Noghri assassin.
- Moley: He voiced the lead character in this charming animated series.
His range is actually kind of ridiculous. He can go from a terrifying Irish horror icon in the Leprechaun films (which started on film but have been TV mainstayers forever) to a gentle mole who loves worms, all while hosting a national quiz show and appearing in the biggest franchise in history.
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What Really Happened with His Recent Projects?
In early 2025, Warwick was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship. It was a huge moment that recognized his 40-plus years in the industry. But it also came at a time of personal transition. After the passing of his wife, Samantha, Warwick took a step back from some of his high-profile hosting duties.
He was also appointed an OBE in the 2026 New Year Honours list. This wasn't just for his acting; it was for his work with Little People UK, a charity he co-founded. His television career has always been a platform for advocacy, even when he was just playing a "fictionalized" jerk in Life's Too Short.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive into the Warwick Davis TV shows catalog, don't just stick to the obvious ones.
- Start with Life’s Too Short: It’s the most "real" he’s ever been on screen, even through the lens of a mockumentary.
- Hunt down the Willow series: It’s hard to find now, but physical copies or "other" means are worth it for the lore.
- Watch his travel docs: Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis shows the real man—a dad who loves his family and British eccentricities.
The reality is that Warwick Davis isn't just a "short-stature actor." He's a comedic powerhouse and a versatile host who has navigated the shifting sands of the TV industry better than almost anyone from the 80s. Whether he's wearing six hours of makeup or a sharp suit on a game show set, he’s always the most interesting person in the room.
The next step is simple: go find an episode of Extras (the one with Daniel Radcliffe). Watch Warwick's scene. It’s only a few minutes long, but it perfectly encapsulates why he’s a legend. He knows exactly how the world sees him, and he’s more than happy to subvert those expectations for a laugh.