Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1969, he initially pursued acting, studying at the Rose Bruford College. Transitioning to directing, he gained acclaim with his debut feature film "God's Own Country" (2017), a poignant love story set in rural England, earning awards at Sundance and Berlin. His work often explores themes of identity, nature, and human connection. Following up with "Ammonite" (2020), he continued to showcase his distinctive storytelling and cinematic vision.