Lesley is best known for directing the seminal horror Ghostwatch which in 2017 Indiewire voted amongst the top 20 “Best British Horrors of All Time”.
“Some people might be surprised to hear that one of the most controversial British horror films of all time was directed by a woman. But Lesley Manning’s teleplay Ghostwatch remains one of the most notorious — and terrifying — events in British screen history.” – Vulture, 2018
After graduating from The National Film and TV School, Beaconsfield, Lesley directed films and serials for TV – notably the award winning My Sisterwife (Best Asian Film, CRE Best Drama); Bloodrights and Drovers’ Gold (nominated for 2 Cymru Baftas).
Lesley started directing theatre relatively recently, starting with The Agent at Trafalgar Studios, then Border at Southwark Playhouse studio and As She Likes It at the Cock Pit. Delivery, written by Andy Walker, had a run at the Chiswick Playhouse in March 2020 and Happy Hour, also written by Andy, ran at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in May 2023.
Her short films, including Help, The Vest and Curtain Call, have won multiple awards at film festivals.
Lesley is in currently in pre-production on 2040, written by Steve Lally and produced by Annalise Davis. Attached cast includes Eddie Marsan, Denise Gough, Ben Hardy and Máiréad Tyers. She is also attached to direct Shiny Object, written by Martin McNamara, which is currently in development with producers Catherine Townsend and Alexandra Stone.
Lesley Manning is represented by Rochelle Stevens