Andy Mundy-Castle - Founder of Doc Hearts, and director of BAFTA-winning White Nanny, Black Child, joins TV Makers to unpack the real craft of documentary storytelling and what it genuinely takes to run a purpose-led indie in one of the toughest TV markets we've ever seen. Andy shares how his background and lived experience shaped his filmmaking: stories rooted in truth, crafted with cinematic ambition, and always led by empathy over exploitation. We break down his creative “toolk...

John Comerford, Head of Naked West, lifts the lid on how iconic legacy shows like Grand Designs, Escape to the Country and Great British Railway Journeys stay relevant after decades on air - and what it really takes to future-proof long-running television in a digital-first world. From leadership lessons learned across an impressive career, to keeping Kevin McCloud, Michael Portillo and the team behind the cameras creatively energised, John explains how teams protect the core of a heritage br...

Channel 4’s Senior Commissioning Editor and Business Operations Lead for Digital, Laura Marks, reveals the insider rules behind digital commissioning, what most producers get wrong, what Channel 4 really looks for and how to create digital gold in a post-linear world. From understanding the “minus 10 seconds” rule for thumbnails to balancing data with gut instinct, Laura breaks down how her team commissions content for YouTube and social platforms, why not everyone can do it, and why risk, a...

What happens when a podcast refuses to play by podcast rules? To kick off Series 4 of TV Makers, I sit down with Anthony Smith - Director of Trailers for The Diary Of A CEO - to uncover how a show once told it had “no right” to build a full-scale production has become one of the biggest podcasts in the world. Anthony takes us inside the trailer strategy that’s helped drive that success - from the must-have ingredients of a killer trailer to the tiny, deliberate beats that make people stop scr...

True Crime, Tough Calls, and the Role of the Series Producer For the Series 3 finale of TV Makers , we're joined by Award-winning Series Producer Zoe Hines, behind some of Netflix's biggest shows including the acclaimed, I Am a Killer. Zoe lifts the lid on what it really means to lead a high-profile, ethically complex documentary series—discussing everything from legal and editorial responsibilities to the professional care of victims, contributors, and production teams. We also dig into the ...

Post-production is an ecosystem of constant decisions for an ever-changing goalpost… so what does it take to run post at a major broadcaster like Sky? This week on TV Makers, I sit down with Adam Downey, Director of Post Production at Sky, to find out how he keeps one of the UK’s biggest post departments running—smoothly, sustainably, and at serious scale. We talk tight schedules, futureproofing systems, the human side of leadership, and why understanding post earlier in the process can save ...

Publicists! Often portrayed as the mysterious force behind the scenes—crafting hype, dodging scandal, and spinning gold from a well-placed quote. But how much of that is myth, and what does brilliant PR really look like in today’s TV landscape? This week we’re joined by Gem Pinkney, Director of TV at Multitude Media and a master of the campaign game. From knowing which assets will actually cut through (hint: AI might be choosing them for you…) to explaining why bringing PR in early—not just w...

Talent Agents! — cloaked in TV myth as orchestrators of extravagant demands, from bowls of blue M&Ms to first-class travel for their star clients. Let’s separate fact from fiction and uncover what really goes on in the world of talent representation! This week we’re joined by Alex Segal, Managing Director of InterTalent, one of the UK’s largest talent agencies. With over a decade at the helm, Alex shares what it takes to sign, manage, and book talent. Oh, and about that word “talent”… sho...

You survived to ’25! And as your reward, here’s a brand-new episode of TV Makers! Kicking off the year, I welcome Kimberly Godbolt, co-founder of Talented People and all round media advocate, or as some like to call her, the “Friendly Disruptor.” Kimberly shares her expertise in spotting top industry talent, what she looks for in standout CVs, and how hiring managers can sharpen their interview techniques (and processes) to secure the best candidates. As some of you know, Kimberly isn’t afra...

If you missed last weeks full Christmas Special Episode, go back and give it a listen. But for those wanting pure TV Makers interview, this is the standalone interview with Will Becher, the Supervising Animator for Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Premiering on BBC One and iPlayer at 6:10 pm on Christmas Day! Supervising Animator Will Becher joins us to reveal the artistry, challenges, and meticulous craftsmanship that go into bringing these beloved characters to life. The Film...

Welcome to a very special Christmas edition of TV Makers! We’re adding a sprinkle of festive magic as we go behind the scenes of Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, premiering on BBC One and iPlayer at 6:10 pm on Christmas Day. Supervising Animator Will Becher joins us to reveal the artistry, challenges, and meticulous craftsmanship that go into bringing these beloved characters to life. But that’s not all! We’re embracing the Christmas spirit with a festive chat featuring TV friends a...

Siobhan O’Donnell is an exceptional Floor Manager with decades of experience working on some of the UK’s most iconic television moments. Siobhan shares jaw-dropping anecdotes, from the time she had to literally crawl past dthe Queen to get to the Prime Minister, to wrangling the Teletubbies on set, and even the nerve-wracking moment she had to tell Cilla Black that someone forgot to press record. We talk about making your way up the floor managing ladder, why you shouldn’t wait for your prede...

Unlock the potential and support for your next project with ScreenSkills! Emily Gunn, HETV Engagement & Projects Manager for the South and Midlands, is here to guide us every step of the way as to how ScreenSkills could help you us navigate this industry and come out on top. Emily works across engagement and training for HETV freelancers across the UK, supporting the growth and expansion for a diverse workforce in the screen sector. She has worked the last ten years in television ...

Award-winning multi-cam and fixed rig Entertainment Director Abigail Dankwa is a powerhouse you need to know, learn from, and listen to! With BAFTA and RTS awards, a Grierson nomination, Directors UK board member, recognition as a BAFTA Breakthrough, Edinburgh Festival’s Ones to Watch, and Broadcast Magazine Hot Shot, Abigail’s journey to The Director’s Chair is nothing short of incredible. In this episode, we discuss her challenges, including her thoughts on the label of "risk" in hiri...

Emile is a BAFTA-nominated and SAFTA-winning Commissioning Executive at UKTV, who is at the forefront of factual and factual entertainment series on channels like Dave, W, Yesterday, and Gold as well is UKTV's digital platform "U". In this episode, Emile is exceptionally open and candid in sharing insights into his role as a creative executive producer, what exactly a commissioner does, what it felt like to make that leap from production to broadcast and if we'll even need commissioners in t...

Edinburgh TV Festival SPECIAL! In a 2 part special, we hear from some incredible attendees at the festival and get their insights on what they’ve taken from TV’s must attend event of the year and where our industry is going for the next 12 months. Across the two parter, you’ll hear from: Rowan Woods, the creative director of this year’s festival and what's planned; Kimberly Godbolt of Talented People and The Imposter Club Podcast speaking on some hard truths of where the industry ...

Edinburgh TV Festival SPECIAL! In a 2 part special, we hear from some incredible attendees at the festival and get their insights on what they’ve taken from TV’s must attend event of the year and where our industry is going for the next 12 months. Across the two parter, you’ll hear from: Rowan Woods, the creative director of this year’s festival and what's planned; Kimberly Godbolt of Talented People and The Imposter Club Podcast speaking on some hard truths of where the industry ...

In the grand finale of Series 2, we're closing with a bang! Please welcome Emmy Award-winning director Jessica Hobbs, renowned for her work on The Crown, Broadchurch, The Regime, and Apple Tree Yard. Jessica shares her insights on directing and reveals the secrets behind crafting some of the most captivating television of the past decade. Don't miss this exclusive conversation with one of TV's most visionary creators. Jessica talks about what it is to create tension on screen with acto...

Starting out in the TV Industry? Listen closely to Lottie Targett's tips and tricks in how to survive as a Runner on your next show! Not just one for the burgeoning new recruits of television but Lottie's no holds barred opinion on what life is like in TV, paired with her incredible enthusiasm is bound to make any veteran remember their own experiences and life lessons that might make them question how best to run their shoots now. In the 2 years she spent as a runner, Lottie has an impress...

Nathaniel Christian-John has carved his way as a trusted researcher within factual television and in this episode, speaks about what it means to have an episode rest on his due diligence and quick thinking. We also speak about the right age (if there is one) to enter into the industry and how to communicate effectively with senior team members. If you want to get in touch with Nate, you can find him on instagram @natetakes TV Makers is your go-to podcast for staying ahea...