‘The Office’ star reveals terminal cancer diagnosis, details plan to ‘live out whatever might be left of my life’

By Page Six | Created at 2026-08-11 22:22:53 | Updated at 2026-08-11 23:11:06 54 minutes ago

British comedian and actress Lucy Davis announced that she has “incurable” Stage 4 breast cancer.

In a long Instagram post shared Tuesday, Davis — who starred as receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the U.K. version of “The Office” during its two-season run from 2001 to 2003 — shared details of her devastating diagnosis for the first time.

“Hi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now,” she began. “A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasized to my bones.”

Davis specified that the disease has spread to her spine, right hip and ribs.

“The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo,” she noted.

British comedian and actress Lucy Davis announced in an Instagram post (seen above) she has “incurable” Stage 4 breast cancer. Instagram/Lucy Davis
Davis (pictured above in “The Office” alongside MacKenzie Crook, Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman) said she’s kept her diagnosis to herself for “a while.” ©BBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Davis, who was last seen on the big screen in 2017’s “Wonder Woman,” explained that her “initial lump” felt more like a “hard spot” and was “tiny,” so she “almost didn’t bother getting it checked.”

“So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out:),” she urged her followers.

The actress, who also played Aunt Hilda in the Netflix series “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” went on to say, “As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can. I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens.”

She added that cancer “has not disappointed in that regard,” as she has learned “a lot” from the experience and is “grateful” for that.

Davis (pictured in “Shaun of the Dead”) said it is “too late for chemo” as the disease has “metastasized to [her] bones” — specifically her spine, right hip and ribs. Rogue Pictures/Everett Collection
Davis (pictured in “Wonder Woman”) said she’s “trying to live out whatever might be left of [her] life in as fun a way as [she] possibly can.” ©Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

Davis, who was also famously in 2004’s “Shaun of the Dead,” detailed how “the pain can really be something else,” noting that “standing and walking for too long a time can be hard, and [she] need[s] to use a wheelchair sometimes.”

The actress said humor has been “most vital” to her during her battle with cancer.

“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,” she explained. “There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell.”

Davis (pictured here in “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) said she’s not retiring from acting. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

Davis finished her post by writing, “I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it.”

She said she’ll see her late dog, Gracie, “sooner than expected,” and noted that “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,” she wrote.

Davis (pictured with Martin Freeman, Ricky Gervais and MacKenzie Crook in “The Office”) said she’s “not scared” of “whatever comes next” and is “at peace.” ©BBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
Davis (pictured in “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) wished people “on a similar journey to [hers] well,” noting the toll cancer takes on people “physically and mentally.” ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

Davis said she plans to keep acting, because she’s “perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in [her] life.” She also promised to “keep up all [her] work” as an animal rights activist. 

The actress wished people “on a similar journey to [hers] well” and, writing, “Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose.”

Ricky Gervais, who co-created the UK version of “The Office” and played David Brent alongside Davis on it, responded to her post with a simple red heart emoji.

Ricky Gervais, who co-created the UK version of “The Office” and starred alongside David, replied to her post (seen here in October 2017) with a red heart emoji. FilmMagic
Davis (pictured here in a selfie) got well wishes from her colleagues in the comments of her post, including her “Shaun of the Dead” director Edgar Wright and Jenna Fischer from the US version of “The Office.”

“Shaun of the Dead” director Edgar Wright commented, “Love you Lucy. Always. See you very soon.” 

Jenna Fischer, who played Pam Beesly on the US version of “The Office” (the counterpart to Davis’ receptionist character), wrote, “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!”

British broadcaster Piers Morgan chimed in, writing, “Lucy, this is such devastating news. I’m so sorry.”

“Your courage in talking about this so honestly says everything about you,” he added. “Sending you and your family all my love and support.”

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