Episode 41: Commissioning Christmas Special

Times Up UK chair Dame Heather Rabbatts joins the podcast to discuss what has been done to tackle sexual harassment and abuse in the TV industry since the revelations about Harvey Weinstein surfaced five years ago. She talks to reporter Heather Fallon about the progress so far, including the upcoming Independent Standards Authority, devised by Times Up and Creative UK. Rabbatts also unpacks how NDAs can be misused, the problems with informality and where she hopes the industry will be in five years' time.  

In the second episode of the second series, Broadcast's senior reporter Ellie Kahn speaks to the Bafta-nominated director, writer and actor Dominic Savage about his upcoming Channel 4 drama I am Ruth, starring Kate Winslet and her daughter Mia Threapleton. 

Broadcast Behind The Screens has returned for a second series. In this week's opening episode, stars of Horrible Histories and the comedians behind Ghosts and Yonderland Ben Willbond and Laurence Rickard dissect their latest project We Are Not Alone for UKTV channel Dave. The feature-length comedy explores humanity through the eyes of the aliens that have recently conquered the planet and allows the comedy duo to examine some of the odder aspects of human life. During the episode, they discuss how the idea came to fruition, making a feature-length comedy film and tease at the potential of more to come.

In a special bonus episode, international editor John Elmes speaks with the creative team behind BBC and Amazon Prime series The English to discuss the show's inception, creative methods and modernising the Western ahead of its debut. 

In the final episode of the series, BBC disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring joins the podcast to discuss her role, fake news and the impact of social media. Plus, Alice and Heather say a big thank you for all the support over the last 11 episodes. 

Patrick Walters, the executive producer behind Netflix's coming of age LGBTQ+ romance from See-Saw Films joins the podcast this week from Edinburgh, as hosts Alice and Heather recap the highlights, themes and major talking points of this year's TV Festival. The interview with Walters begins at 16.30.

This week, broadcaster and founder of History Hit Dan Snow sits down to discuss original programming for the SVoD, his love of history and the brand's upcoming projects. Hosts Alice and Heather also talk about both Edinburgh Fringe and Edinburgh Television Festival. 

In this special episode Alice and Heather travel to Westeros via Leicester Square to interview Sky director of programmes Zai Bennett about the launch of House of the Dragon. Bennett speaks to the duo about the draw of a Game of Thrones spin-off, the broadcaster's original drama strategy and his hopes for the future of the Sky/HBO output deal. Later, Alice and Heather share their thoughts on the first episode.

This week MasterChef's very own John Torode sits down with executive producer Sarah Sapper to discuss their new Food Network series John Torode's Ireland. The duo discuss Ireland's culinary delights, filming whilst coming out of Covid and the future of food television. Alice and Heather also discuss their greenlights of the week, and tease a very exciting bonus episode. 

Ita O'Brien, the intimacy coordinator Michaela Coel dedicated her I May Destroy You BAFTA to, joins Alice and Heather on the podcast this week to talk all things sex. The trio discuss how the role has developed in light of MeToo and Times Up, to how Ita prepares for the range of sex scenes she has worked on - including Normal People, Gentleman Jack and It's a Sin. Alice and Heather also outline what new TV we have to look forward to, and what they've been watching.