The TV Festival Podcast

Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman shares the unique adaptation process from graphic novel to Netflix series, alongside cast members Corinna Brown (Tara) and Kizzy Edgell (Darcy). Learn about the meticulous casting process, character development, and the hidden details in some of the series’ pivotal scenes. The team reflects on their experiences, the unexpected success of the show, and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation, both on and offscreen. And find out why Olivia Colman always had a queue outside of her trailer during filming… Heartstopper: Masterclass was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are Alice Oseman, Writer; Patrick Walters, Executive Producer; Corinna Brown, Actor; Kizzy Edgell, Actor. The host is Scott Bryan. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Peep Show, Fresh Meat, The Thick Of It, Succession... Jesse Armstrong is the writer behind some of the most iconic television in history.  In conversation with Guardian journalist Marina Hyde, he reflects on his career so far and the current state of the TV industry on both sides of the Atlantic. As well as taking us behind the scenes on the creation of Succession, Jesse and Marina discuss writers' rooms, Britishness in comedy writing and how much of Peep Show came from his and Sam Bain’s actual lives. Jesse Armstrong in Conversation with Marina Hyde was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Queer Eye’s Tan France speaks to the cast and creative team behind Channel 4 & Peacock comedy We Are Lady Parts. Creator Nida Manzoor discusses balancing truthful storytelling and representation with maintaining mainstream appeal. Castmembers Sarah Kameela Impey (Saira) and Faith Omole (Bisma) share their experiences of auditioning and filming during the pandemic, as well as the challenges of learning to play their instruments convincingly as members of the all-female Muslim punk band at the heart of the show. Tan France in Conversation with We Are Lady Parts was recorded at the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2021. The speakers Tan France, Broadcaster; Nida Manzoor, Creator, Writer & Director; Sarah Kameela Impey, Actress; Faith Omole, Actress;  Surian Fletcher-Jones, Executive Producer & Head of Drama at Working Title Television. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Writer, director and producer Sally Wainwright unpicks her creative process and the art of drama writing and TV production. From her start on Coronation Street through to the explosive finale of Happy Valley, Sally talks to broadcaster Adrian Chiles about her three decades in the business. And following on from the global success of Gentleman Jack, discover which historical figure Sally would love to write about next… Sally Wainwright in Conversation with Adrian Chiles was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

A behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Alan Partridge and the art of crafting comedic brilliance. From Knowing Me, Knowing You and I’m Alan Partridge to Mid-Morning Matters and This Time with Alan Partridge, discover how Steve Coogan and the team at Baby Cow Productions have made Alan one of the UK’s most enduring comic creations. Gain valuable perspectives on comedy writing, character development, and the power of humour in addressing challenging topics like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo.  Masterclass: This Time With Alan Partridge was recorded at the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2021. The speakers are Steve Coogan, Actor; Rob Gibbons, Writer; Sarah Monteith, Chief Executive Officer, Baby Cow. The host is Charlene White. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Expect swearing, stories and secrets from Succession as acting legend Brian Cox speaks to MSP Angus Robertson. From his start in rep theatre in Dundee to playing fearsome patriarch Logan Roy, via the production of his documentary Brian Cox: How The Other Half Live, Brian looks back over his career so far, and reflects on the Scottish stage and screen industries that have helped to shape him as a performer and human being. In Conversation with Brian Cox was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022.  The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

World-renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg and bestselling crime author Jo Nesbo discuss the transformative power of storytelling in mobilizing collective action and reshaping hope for a sustainable future. Alongside host Navdip Dhariwal, the pair explore the challenges faced by storytellers due to political sensitivity and emphasise the importance of emotionally impactful depictions of climate change to create a demand for action.  Worldview Address: Greta Thunberg in conversation with Jo Nesbo was recorded at the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2021. The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

In a career spanning more than forty years, Meera Syal has infiltrated the British establishment through comedy, challenging stereotypes through work including Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at No. 42 and Anita & Me. Having also received the BAFTA Fellowship at this year's BAFTA Television Awards, Meera speaks to Festival Executive Chair Fatima Salaria about, the highs and the lows of being a trailblazing British Asian woman in the film and TV industry. The Alternative MacTaggart: Meera Syal CBE was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

With The Crown’s final chapter now closed, hear from the creative team as they discuss how this love letter to Queen Elizabeth II grew from writer Peter Morgan's initial idea to the opulent Netflix series we’ve known and loved for six seasons. Uncover the significance of Churchill's portrait and the challenges of casting actors to span generations of The Royal Family, and find out how they managed the demands of creating almost 2,500 historically accurate sets over the course of the show.  Secrets Behind The Crown was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The speakers are Suzanne Mackie, Executive Producer; Andy Harries, Executive Producer; Martin Childs, Production Designer; Annie Sulzberger, Head of Research. The host is Edith Bowman. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Super-producer and Fulwell 73 co-founder Ben Winston has been behind some of TV's most talked about moments: from revolutionising The Grammys, to modernising The Kardashians; co-creating The Late Late Show, to getting the cast back together for the most anticipated special of all time Friends: The Reunion. In a wide-ranging conversation with broadcaster Richard Bacon, Ben explores the journey of Fulwell 73 - the struggles that shaped their success and the strategies and ambition that fueled their rise. Ben Winston on Pursuing the American Dream was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023.  The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Do public service broadcasters need to take a more proactive role in climate storytelling? Does celebrity involvement help or hinder activism? And should we be calling it a climate catastrophe? Our multidisciplinary panel of programme-makers, academics and activists share their experiences in crafting impactful narratives through documentaries and dramas; effective disaster communication, and the struggle for hopeful climate stories in the face of political apathy. Based on a True Story: How to Tell the Climate Crisis Narrative was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are Fehinti Balogun, Actor, Theatre-maker, Activist; Professor Lucy Easthope, Professor in Practice and Co-Founder, After Disaster Network, University of Durham; Stephen Garrett, Executive Chairman, Character 7, Craig Hunter, Creative Director, Factual at STV Studios; Thimali Kodikara, Series producer of the Mothers of Invention climate podcast. The host is Dan McDougall. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Interviewed by his wife Pamela Stephenson Connolly, national treasure Sir Billy Connolly reflects on more than 50 years in comedy. As he receives the Edinburgh TV Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, The Big Yin looks back on his first appearance on Michael Parkinson's show and the challenges of transitioning from stand-up comedy to television, as well as chatting about his World Tour travelogue series, breaking America and his enduring love for Scotland. Lifetime Achievement Award: Sir Billy Connolly was recorded at the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2021. The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Join this insightful conversation on the ethical, social, and creative aspects of true crime storytelling, as programme-makers and channel bosses look at the genre’s biggest issues from sensationalism and sensitivity to duty of care and diversity. The panel discusses the real-world consequences of the genre, such as crime-solving and awareness of domestic violence, and explores the future of true crime. The True Crimewave was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are Elli Hakami, Co-President and Co-Owner, Talos Films; Ian Rumsey, Managing Director, Television, ITN Productions; Jason Sarlanis, President, Crime and Investigative Content, Linear and Streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery; Jonny Taylor, Director, Documentary Film EMEA; Dan Louw, Commissioning Editor, VP Non-Scripted UK Originals, Channel 5 / Paramount+; Dr Sara Payne MBE, Campaigner. The host is Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

From Strictly Come Dancing to The Traitors and The Piano, BAFTA-nominated presenter Claudia Winkleman is as recognisable for her work ethic and ability to connect with audiences as she is for her iconic fringe and smoky eye. Chatting to broadcaster and best friend Kirsty Young, Claudia unravels her journey through the world of TV hosting, via journalism, motherhood and fashion adventures, with her trademark wit and warmth. Outstanding Achievement Award Interview: Claudia Winkleman was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Join actor David Harewood in a heartfelt conversation with writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch, discussing mental health, identity, and the challenges Black actors face in the UK. From his personal struggles with psychosis to reflections on racism, Harewood shares poignant stories whilst looking back on key points in his career, including his time in the Royal Shakespeare Company and roles in Homeland, The Night Manager and Supergirl. He also shares his unique “Fork Test” for evaluating scripts. David Harewood in Conversation with Afua Hirsch was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022.  The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Castmembers Lolly Adefope (Kitty), Mathew Baynton (Thomas), Jim Howick (Pat) and Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Mike) discuss the magic that turned Ghosts into a sitcom success for the whole family. Mathew and Jim reveal the journey from Horrible Histories and Yonderland to creating this unique BBC comedy, and the team reveal the secrets behind casting and development, and whether or not it matters if the ghosts have shadows. Ghosts: Masterclass was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are co-creators and castmembers Mathew Baynton and Jim Howick; castmembers Lolly Adefope and Kiell Smith-Bynoe; Alison Carpenter, Producer, and Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy, BBC. The host is Julie Raeside. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Explore a decade of iconic TV moments, as the Gogglebox team dissects the show’s enduring success and the unique blend of humour and relatability that keeps audiences hooked. Alongside the producers and commissioners, cast members Pete and Sophie Sandiford and Sid and Baasit Siddiqui discuss their unexpected journeys to fame and the show’s impact on their lives, from pandemic challenges to public recognition. And importantly, will we see Gogglebox on Mars…? ‘Gogglebox: The First Ten Years’ was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The speakers are Gogglebox cast members Sophie Sandiford, Pete Sandiford, Sid Siddiqui and Baasit Siddiqui; lan Dunkley, Commissioning Editor Channel 4, Leon Campbell, Executive Producer, Studio Lambert. The host is Scott Bryan.  [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Writer Neil Gaiman and director Douglas Mackinnon reveal the magic behind their creative partnership on Good Omens, unravelling the intricacies of filmmaking in Scotland and their commitment to providing opportunities for local talent. Their discussion also touches upon the liberating aspects of working with streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and the challenges of finding the right tone for comedy-drama series. Don't miss their recommendations for valuable resources for writers and directors, making this conversation a treasure trove for creative minds. Neil Gaiman In Conversation with Douglas McKinnon was recorded at the virtual Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2021. The speakers are Neil Gaiman, Author, Good Omens, American Gods, Anansi Boys, and Douglas MacKinnon, Director & Producer, Good Omens & Sherlock, with special guest appearances from Stephen Fry, Lenny Henry and Steven Moffat. The host is Raisah Ahmed. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Dive into the intersection of fashion publishing and TV production as British Vogue’s Vanessa Kingori and ELLE UK’s Kenya Hunt share insights on industry leadership, diversity, and editorial decision-making with writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch. The panel reflects on the impact of representation and inclusivity in British Vogue under the leadership of outgoing editor Edward Enninful, as well as the role of media influence and responsibility, both in magazines and television. The covers discussed in this podcast are from British Vogue December 2017 (Adwoa Aboah as cover star) and ELLE UK September 2022 (Lizzo as cover star) When Vogue Meets Elle: What Can Television Learn from Fashion Publishing Titans? was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2022. The speakers are Vanessa Kingori MBE, Publishing Director, Chief Business Officer, British Vogue and Kenya Hunt, Editor-in-Chief, ELLE UK. The host is Afua Hirsch. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com

Some of our most recognised TV hosts have come from reality TV - think Rylan, Alison Hammond and Stacey Dooley. Have reality shows become the new training ground for presenters? With chair Jamie Laing, our panel of entertainment experts and breakout stars, including Love Island’s Dr Alex George and Bake-Off’s Briony May Williams, discuss the evolving landscape of talent development and the opportunities and challenges it creates. Crossing the Line: From Reality Star to TV Presenter was recorded at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2023. The speakers are Dr Alex George, Doctor and TV Presenter; Sebastian Jewell, Senior Talent Manager, Insanity Group; Briony May Williams, Chef and Presenter; Emma-Rosa Dias, MD and Executive Producer, Afro-Mic Productions; Pete Tierney, Commissioning Editor, Reality at ITV. The host is Jamie Laing. [All job titles correct at time of Festival] The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a diverse range of delegates to celebrate and dissect the world of global television production. The Festival is also a charity, working year-round to support new and emerging talent. #EdTVFest For more information, go to: www.thetvfestival.com