The director’s role

Directors’ stories

Behind the programmes and films that entertain and inform audiences worldwide, directors shape how the story is seen, felt, and understood

The journey to the final cut is complex, with numerous unique challenges, as directors push their decision-making and problem-solving skills to the limit.

Here, we share their stories, insights and learnings from those experiences, covering everything from eye-opening documentaries, to agenda-setting dramas, dinosaurs to Traitors.

Drama

How Adolescence director Philip Barantini crafted the trailblazing drama

The Adolescence director delves into how he crafted the drama series that has sparked hard conversations, from front rooms to classrooms.

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Improvising in A&E: Steve Hughes on directing Casualty’s Thin Green Line

The director takes us behind the scenes of Casualty’s first ever improvised episode, which boldly highlighted the real-life challenges faced by paramedics on a daily basis.

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Directing Black Mirror: Haolu Wang on anthology storytelling

The Hotel Reverie episode director discusses finding endless narratives within people, and her journey to directing the renowned anthology series.

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Clare-Louise English on bilingual filmmaking: “Make access part of the film’s aesthetic”

The director explores creative filmmaking approaches that ensures both D/deaf and hearing audiences can enjoy films in a shared experience.

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James Strong on directing Mr Bates vs. The Post Office: “Drama puts you in the shoes of the people affected”

The series director on how he represented real people’s stories on screen and the impact the show had on audiences and government alike.

Euros Lyn directing Heartstopper

Euros Lyn on directing Heartstopper: “Tell the stories that burn in your heart”

The show’s director shares the importance of inclusivity on-screen and behind the camera, and why playfulness is an important part of filmmaking.

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Closing the chapter on Top Boy with director Myriam Raja

The series director speaks about crafting the final season of Netflix’s hit series and how to use visual language to convey emotions.

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Building Bridgerton: directors look behind the scenes

Directors of the hit Netflix show compare their experiences and discuss how they made a Regency-set drama speak to the here and now.

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Thea Sharrock on crafting comedy for Wicked Little Letters

The director talks about her approach to directing comedy and how her career has shifted from stage to screen.

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Shariff Korver on directing Atomic: “Pitching is a declaration of intent”

The series director talks about the perfect pitch, filming on location in Morocco and how to ensure every action sequence serves the story’s emotional core.

Entertainment

Andy Devonshire directing Taskmaster Series 21

Andy Devonshire on directing Taskmaster: “It’s a show about capturing the moments”

The Taskmaster director shares how he crafts a show with such longevity, and how he keeps the iconic series fresh after over a decade.

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100% Faithful: Directing The Traitors

The Traitors directors delve into the heart of directing the beloved series and why prep is vital for a show with constant developments.

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Jan Genesis on multi-cam directing: “You're the captain of the ship”

The multi-camera director on capturing “must see” moments, bringing the live atmosphere to audiences at home, and thinking on your feet when things don’t go to plan.

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Choreographing a live show with Eurovision directors

A roundtable interview with the multi-cam directors of Eurovision on how they brought the iconic song competition to life for audiences at home.

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From MTV to the World Cup: the making of a live broadcast director

Tim van Someren takes us inside the craft behind complex live broadcasts

Documentary

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Documenting Kanaval: “This is a people’s history”

The co-directors speak about the bold directing decisions they made and the rich oral history of Haiti in the BIFA-nominated documentary film.

The dig team prepare to lift a large plaster - jacketed bone from the floor. BBC Studios/Mairead Maclean

How the Walking with Dinosaurs directors brought the legendary series back to life

A roundtable interview with the series' directors.

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Exploring The Waste Land with Susanna White: “It was a personal odyssey”

In T.S. Eliot: Into ‘The Waste Land’, the director explores the complex personal stories behind the writing of his celebrated 100 year-old poem.

(Conducting the interviews remotely. Pictured left of laptop Mikul Erikkson (DOP), right of laptop Megumi Inman (Producer), holding laptop Nasubi / Tomoaki Hamatsu, on laptop screen Clair Titley (Director))

Clair Titley on directing The Contestant: “He’s totally reclaimed his story"

The director delves into her mission to help Nasubi reclaim his story, and the ups of downs of directing through the pandemic.

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Beyond the headlines: Havana Marking on crafting docs

The documentary filmmaker explores the stories behind the headlines and access into worlds that others might fear to go.

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Paul Sng’s trip to directing a hallucinatory doc on Irvine Welsh

The Reality Is Not Enough director on what it was like collaborating with the iconic author.