Deborah Davis (screenwriter)


Deborah Davis is a British screenwriter, known for The Favourite.
Davis has a background in practicing law and journalism. She wrote the first draft of what would become The Favourite in 1998, under the original title The Balance of Power, and earned an MA from the University of East Anglia. The Favourite was nominated for numerous awards and accolades. She submitted the story to producer Ceci Dempsey and Ed Guiney, who brought in director Yorgos Lanthimos. Lanthimos introduced Davis to Tony McNamara to help polish the screenplay.
In 2022 premiered a television series Davis wrote based on the life of Marie Antoinette. The Canal+ and BBC production was filmed in France in locations that included Versailles and Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Awards and nominations

The Favourite
YearAwardResult
Best Original ScreenplayAcademy AwardNomitated
Best Original Screenplay
British Academy Film Awards
Best Screenplay


British Independent Film Awards
Best Original Screenplay
Critic's Choice AwardsNomitated
Best Screenplay
Golden Globe AwardsNomitated