North West creative studio BWS has premiered a new original short film, The Man Behind the Monkey, starring British actor Jonno Davies.
Davies—who is due to appear as Robbie Williams in the upcoming biopic Better Man—recently made headlines as the first actor in AACTA’s 67-year history to win Best Lead Actor in Film for a motion-capture performance.
Struck by the depth of Davies’ portrayal, BWS founder Ben Wild invited him to collaborate on something more intimate. The result, The Man Behind the Monkey, is a bold and emotional short film that strips away the characters to reveal the truth of the actor behind them.
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. With The Man Behind the Monkey, the studio reinforces its ambition to create original films that blend emotion, innovation, and authenticity.
The Man Behind the Monkey is available to watch now via the BWS YouTube Channel
