The ultimate lockdown glow-up

If you spent your 2020 lockdown bingeing shows and losing track of what day it was, you aren't alone. But 28-year-old Benjamin Williams turned that quarantine boredom into a full-blown career. The Malvern native, who started his journey with a love for animation classics like Pokemon and Avatar: The Last Airbender, took his screen obsession to the next level by watching 800 films while stuck at home.

"I just found the time. Plus, it was Covid - I was bored," Williams explained. That casual binge-watching session clearly hit different, as he’s now officially thriving in the industry.

Making moves in Hollywood

Williams has moved from simple fandom to working on some of the biggest sets in the game. He’s been grinding on the production side of things, handling the heavy admin and logistics that keep major sets running. His resume is lowkey iconic—he’s worked on Apple TV’s hit series Slow Horses, Marvel’s VisionQuest, the Squid Games reality show, and the upcoming Peaky Blinders film, Immortal Man.

Working on Slow Horses gave him the most experience, though he’s tight-lipped about the plot, joking that he's signed enough NDAs to keep him busy for a lifetime. He even got to meet legends like Sir Ian McKellen and Cillian Murphy. Regarding the encounter with McKellen, Williams said, "There's such an incredible aura around him of just, 'Oh god, it's Ian McKellen'."

The main character energy continues

It’s not just about the big-name sets, though. Williams is also a director in his own right. His short film, Keys, premiered at the Worcester Film Festival and is currently nominated for "best local film" at the Birmingham Film Festival.

So, what’s the secret sauce? According to Williams, it’s all about showing up and being a person people actually want to work with. "As long as you do a good job, you show up, and you're likeable enough, people want to continue working with you," he shared. Real talk—that work ethic is exactly how he keeps getting recommended for the next big thing.

Why it matters

Benjamin Williams’ rise from a bored lockdown movie-watcher to an assistant director on major streaming hits is the ultimate proof that consistency pays off. It shows that even in a chaotic industry, showing up and being reliable can open doors to working with your absolute idols.