Jon S. Baird

Jon S. Baird (born 9 November) is a Scottish film director. Born and raised in Aberdeenshire, he began his career at BBC Television.

Education
Baird studied at the University of Aberdeen in the 1990s, where he graduated with an MA in Politics and International Relations.

Career
Baird wrote, directed, and produced Filth (2013), which was based on Irvine Welsh's 1998 novel and starred James McAvoy. In 2014, Baird directed the television drama Babylon for Channel 4, which was produced by Danny Boyle. Baird was approached by HBO in 2015 to direct an episode of their Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger-produced show Vinyl, created by Terence Winter. In 2016, he directed the second episode of I'm Dying Up Here for Showtime, produced by Jim Carrey. In 2018, Baird directed, for eOne and BBC Films, Stan & Ollie, a feature film about comedians Laurel and Hardy, starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly.

In 2020, Baird directed Tetris, a feature film produced by Matthew Vaughn and distributed by Apple TV+. The film delves into the legal conflicts surrounding the release of the video game. Filming took place in Glasgow. Scenes were shot at Aberdeenshire, the University of Aberdeen, and in Aberdeen. Baird described the experience as "a dream come true" and hoped that it would kickstart further interest in the region as a filming location. In 2022 Baird directed Stonehouse, a three-part docudrama starring Matthew Macfadyen as the disgraced British MP John Stonehouse, who infamously faked his own death in 1974.

Filmography
Short film

Television
Associate producer
 * Patrick Kielty...Live! (1999)
 * The RDA (2001)
 * Green Street Hooligans (2005)

Awards and nominations

 * Winner of Breakthrough British Filmmaker (London Critics Circle)
 * Nomination for Best British Film (London Critics Circle)
 * Best Screenplay Nomination (Writers' Guild of Great Britain)
 * Best Director and Best Film Nominations (BAFTA Scotland)
 * Best Director Nomination (British Independent Film Awards)
 * Best British Film Nomination (Empire Film Awards)
 * Winner of BAFTA Scotland best director for Stan & Ollie