Lucy Davis, best known for playing receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the UK version of The Office, announced Tuesday that she has incurable breast cancer. In an Instagram post, Davis told followers she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 and that the disease has since metastasized to her bones.
The post drew a wave of responses from fellow actors and public figures, including from Jenna Fischer, who played Pam Beesly in the American version of the show. Fischer commented: "Beautiful post. Love you lots."
According to Deadline, Fischer also responded to Davis expressing a wish to keep acting. "And yes to working with cancer! Let's spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort," Fischer wrote.
Ricky Gervais, who co-created the original UK series, replied with a heart emoji. Edgar Wright, who directed Davis in Shaun of the Dead, wrote: "Love you Lucy. Always. See you very soon." Piers Morgan also commented: "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."
Davis became a household name in the UK through The Office, where audiences followed the slow-burning will-they-won't-they relationship between her character Dawn and Tim Canterbury, played by Martin Freeman. Gervais and co-creator Stephen Merchant gave the pair a happy ending in the show's finale.
Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook recently spoke about Davis's performance in the BBC special Mackenzie Crook and Martin Freeman Remember… The Office. Crook called it a "beautiful" and "subtle" performance. "The Tim and Dawn stuff with her… was f*****g joyful," Freeman added.
