Manchester’s BWS Studio Debuts New Short Film Starring Award-Winning Actor Jonno Davies

North West animation and production studio BWS has released its latest original short film, The Man Behind the Monkey — a powerful, stripped-back portrait featuring rising British star Jonno Davies.

Fresh from his acclaimed performance as Robbie Williams in the upcoming musical biopic Better Man, Davies recently made history at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards — becoming the first actor to win Best Lead Actor in Film for a motion-capture role in the award’s 67-year history.

Moved by the emotional depth of that performance, BWS founder and creative director Ben Wild approached Davies with a different kind of project: one that steps away from big productions to explore the quiet intensity of the actor behind the characters.

The Man Behind the Monkey is the result — an intimate, narrative-driven short that delves into the personal side of performance, vulnerability, and creative transformation.

Ben Wild, founder of BWS said: “Jonno’s work in Better Man is phenomenal — vulnerable, dynamic, and completely absorbing. I wanted to build something that pulled back the curtain and revealed the actor, not the character. This film is honest, stripped down, and emotionally rich.”

Jonno Davies, reflecting on the experience, said:

“When Ben reached out, I immediately loved the idea. It wasn’t about spectacle — it was about connection. I was really impressed with BWS’s visual storytelling — they’re always finding new ways to bring scripts to life. This short gave me the space to reconnect with why I love this craft.”

Known for standout roles in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Hunters (Amazon Prime), and his stage turn as Alex Delarge in A Clockwork Orange, Davies continues to establish himself as one of the UK’s most compelling acting talents.

Based in Manchester, BWS has earned a reputation for bold, visually rich storytelling — with a client roster spanning the Premier League, CBBC, New Balance, and Amazon Prime. WithThe Man Behind the Monkey, the studio reinforces its ambition to create original films that blend emotion, innovation, and authenticity.