Mike Leigh trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, at Camberwell and Central Art Schools in London, and at the London Film School. He has written and directed over twenty stage plays. These include Abigail's Party and Grief (2011).
His first feature film was Bleak Moments (1971). Other feature films are High Hopes (1988), Life Is Sweet (1990), Naked (1993),
Secrets & Lies (1996), Career Girls (1997), Topsy-Turvy (1999), All Or Nothing (2002), Vera Drake (2004), Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), Another Year (2010) and Mr. Turner (2014).