March 2020 James Graham on The coughing major ScreenSkills develops and sustains a world-class workforce for UK film, TV (high-end, children’s, unscripted), animation, VFX and games Do you want to share your industry experience and boost your career? Give back. Become a mentor Visit ScreenSkills.com/mentoring for information on how you can help shape the future of the industry Peaky Blinders © BBC/Caryn Mandabach Production Ltd 2019/Robert Viglasky Killing Eve 2 © Sid Gentle Productions Doctor Who © BBC Journal of The Royal Television Society March 2020 l Volume 57/3 From the CEO Last month’s RTS black­tie RTS North East and the The T­word was also much to Television Journalism Border Awards – hosted by the hilari­ the fore at our recent packed early-­ Awards exceeded ous Jason Cook, every inch a Tyne­ evening event on Sky’s wonderful expectations. Sky sider – I experienced another aspect blue­collar comedy, Brassic. Co­created News’s Anna Botting of the UK’s screen­based innovation. by Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst, was a warm and As Graeme Thompson points out in Brassic is an edgy show that engages empathetic host – this edition, the North East is a region with topical issues such as mental huge thanks to her, and congratula­ that is, perhaps, undervalued by our health. Don’t miss our report inside. tions to all the nominees and winners. industry. We at the RTS are delighted I can’t wait to see James Graham’s Outside London, I recently attended to recognise what a wonderful place it three­part adaptation of his play Quiz two very different awards ceremonies, is to work and are thrilled to provide a for ITV. The subject of this month’s in Cardiff and Newcastle. Both spoke showcase for its talent. cover story could be one of 2020’s volumes about the depth of talent that Talking of the T­word, Seetha Kumar, standout TV dramas. exists in the nations and regions. The CEO of ScreenSkills, talks passionately RTS Cymru Awards was a buzzy event to Television about the importance of and a fitting recognition of the extra­ the UK’s screen industries in nurtur­ ordinary creativity that exists in Wales. ing the skills that are the foundation Later that week, at the glamorous, stone of our global success. Theresa Wise Contents Cover: Quiz (Delfont Mackintosh ) Esmé Wren’s TV Diary The world turned upside down Newsnight editor Esmé Wren on a week to remember As Malorie Blackman’s classic Noughts & Crosses finally 5 20 makes it to TV, Imani Cottrell asks how the adaptors Ear Candy: Because I Watched captured the spirit of a much-loved book Everyone talks about the social power of TV – but 6 the ways it can change us as individuals are often A family affair overlooked, says Kate Holman ITV’s critically acclaimed drama Flesh and Blood marked 22 a departure for the women who created it, hears the RTS Working Lives: Composer Composer Samuel Sim is interviewed by Matthew Bell What makes a serial killer? 7 The experts behind the true-crime series Making The king of empathy 24 a Monster uncover the minds of mass murderers for As his stage play Quiz is reimagined for TV, James Graham an RTS audience 9 tells Steve Clarke how he makes his characters come alive Secrets and lies Brexit: The next phase Screenwriters Jack and Harry Williams, the creators of How well prepared is the UK TV sector for Britain’s 26 ITV’s Liar, reveal the knack of keeping audiences hooked 12 departure from the EU? Kate Bulkley investigates First steps in TV Working class and proud The RTS Futures Television Careers Fair brought Actor Joe Gilgun, who has bipolar disorder, reveals how his 29 a bumper crowd to London own life informs Brassic, the hit Sky One comedy he stars in 14 RTS Television Journalism Awards 2020 Our Friend in the North East Hosted by Anna Botting and sponsored by Avid, the Graeme Thompson outlines what ‘levelling up’ looks like 31 awards were presented at the London Hilton, Park 16 from his perspective Lane. The winners and nominees over six pages Champion for TV talent RTS news and events listings Andrew Billen hears how ScreenSkills CEO Seetha Kumar Reports of Society activities across the nations and 17 tells defied the BBC’s ‘glass cliff’ to reach the top 37 regions, and calendar of forthcoming public events Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2020. [email protected] [email protected] London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television News editor and writer Sub-editor T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott Street are not necessarily those of the RTS. Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk March 2020 3 THE POWER TO AMPLIFY YOUR REACH Publish news stories across digital and social platforms instantly Log, craft, edit and publish news highlights using MediaCentral® | Publisher powered by Wildmoka. Now your content can lead the news cycle while your team moves on to the next story. Visit avid.com to get up to speed © 2020 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Avid, the Avid logo, and MediaCentral are reg- istered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Avid RTS A4 Ad.indd 1 2/10/20 12:20 PM TV diary Newsnight editor Esmé Wren on a week to remember t was around this time has done us proud by securing an received the news that the Duke 21 years ago that I first exclusive line-up of guests. It was had finally agreed to the encounter. penned a letter to the then- with Newsnight that Zelda Perkins I knew then it could either be News- Newsnight editor, Sian Kevill, broke her non-disclosure agreement, night’s greatest moment, or, just as begging her to consider my following much persuasion from easily, its worst. application for a work place- presenter Emily Maitlis. Zelda agrees The stakes could not have been ment. Back then, I saw News- to return to the programme to share higher, but I had every confidence night as the brand that represented the her views on the guilty verdict. in the team’s ability to rise to the Ihighest form of accountability and one occasion. that could deliver change. ■ The following day brings publica- As a budding journalist, I was des- tion of the inquiry into the Westmin- ■ To see Emily recognised as Pre- perate to be a part of it. Fortunately, ster sex scandal. This concludes that senter of the Year for a second year Sian took a chance on me, and here I political institutions failed to respond running is a proud moment, followed am, decades later, as the programme’s to historical claims of child sexual by wins for both Interview of the Year second female editor – still very much abuse but, as expected, confirms that and Scoop of the Year for the Andrew believing everything I first saw in the there is no evidence of an organised interview. power of the brand but, more impor- paedophile network at Westminster. But, for me, the top prize is Daily tantly, tasked with the challenge of Newsnight does the only interview News Programme of the Year. With- securing its place in the future news that day with the former Conserva- out doubt, the Prince Andrew inter- landscape. tive MP Harvey Proctor, who won view was a tremendous coup for the compensation from the Met last year programme but it really was just the ■ The week starts as every other – after being falsely accused of child icing on the cake. a panic over resources and staffing. abuse in the disastrous Operation Over the past year, the programme I’d normally be envious of colleagues Midland investigation. has made a huge impact with its who have managed to get away to Italy Tackling difficult subjects is at the Brexit coverage, the investigation into for a week of skiing over half-term. core of why Newsnight has once again unregulated children’s homes, and This time, the coronavirus means I am become essential, rather than optional, compelling coverage from Hong a little less so. With a senior member viewing. A programme that will take Kong. To receive the award that cap- of staff having to self-isolate as a pre- risks, test the boundaries of the nar- tures all this brilliant work delivered caution, it comes down to us relying, rative and conduct forensic interviews. by the whole team is the perfect way as we do on so many occasions, on to secure Newsnight the recognition it the goodwill of other members of the ■ And so to the RTS Television Jour- so richly deserves, not least at this team to fill in the gaps. nalism Awards. I am confident that time of organisational change and As luck would have it, the news our interview with Prince Andrew cost-cutting. agenda hits us with a story the pro- will get its due recognition. Never gramme has invested in heavily before had a member of the Royal ■ Have I achieved what I set out to do recently – Harvey Weinstein and the Family faced an accountability as editor of Newsnight, I ask myself? verdict on his trial.