Lucy Davis, best known for her roles in the original U.K. version of The Office, Wonder Woman (2017), and Shaun of the Dead, has revealed that she’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The actor announced the news in an Instagram post on August 11, 2026, explaining that she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in early 2025. Since then, it has spread to her bones, metastasizing to her spine, right hip, and ribs.
“The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo,” she wrote. “The initial lump that I felt wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather, a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything — get everything checked out.”
She confirmed that she is “trying to live out whatever might be left” of her life in “as fun a way” as she can.
“The thing that has been most vital to me is humour. I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person. There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell,” she explained.
“I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it. I’ll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.”
Ending her note, Davis said she will continue her work in animal rights, saying she is “perfectly able to do so,” although she did mention that standing or walking for too long can become painful, necessitating the use of a wheelchair.
“For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose. Much love to you all.”
Fans and fellow actors have shown up in droves to share their support in the comments section, with Piers Morgan writing, “Lucy, this is such devastating news. I’m so sorry. Your courage in talking about this so honestly says everything about you. Sending you and your family all my love and support.”
Jenna Fischer, best known for playing Pam Beesly on the American edition of The Office, also left a supportive reply. “Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!”
Lucy Davis has been acting since the early nineties, beginning her career with a short appearance in an episode of The Detectives, a show that was created by her father. She went on to lend her talents to series like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Office, where she played Dawn Tinsley, the receptionist that would ultimately receive an American counterpart in Pam Beesly. She also portrayed Etta Candy in the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, with special cameos in shows like Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, NCIS, and more.
Image Credits: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.
