Category: THE WRITERS ROOM
Wish you weren’t here
Murder at the Dead Sea creator and writer Raz Yuvan tells DQ how she was inspired by Agatha Christie to tell this murder-mystery story, reveals the reasons for its unique setting and explains how she sought to create a new kind of female detective.
Making waves
From script competition winner to Netflix series creator, Michele Giannusa discusses the long and bumpy road to bringing her first original series, Ripple, to the screen and how it blends multiple stories of people in search of new connections.
Scripting Secrets
Writer Ingeborg Topsøe tells DQ why she wanted to explore the world of au pair culture in Danish drama Reservatet (Secrets We Keep), a Netflix series that follows the fallout from a young woman’s disappearance in a leafy Copenhagen suburb.
The write to lead
Writers Ágústa M Ólafsdóttir and Björg Magnúsdóttir speak to DQ about their collaboration on Vigdís, a four-part biopic dramatising the life of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who would become Iceland’s first female president.
Brotherly love
Karin Arrhenius reflects on the challenge of writing dark Swedish drama Jag for ner till bror (My Brother), a miniseries based on Karin Smifnoff’s novel about a woman who returns to her home town and must confront the family secrets she thought she had left behind.
The vow factor
An Irish wedding in Tenerife is the setting for murder mystery These Sacred Vows, in which each episode explores the story from a different character’s perspective. Writer and director John Butler reveals how he marries comedy and drama in the six-parter.
Payback time
Writer Gabbie Asher invites DQ inside The Revenge Club, her Paramount+ series about six strangers who plot revenge on their exes. She discusses the adaptation process behind the show, the nature of modern relationships and the challenge of writing police procedurals.
Spy another day
Newsreader and screenwriter Tom Bradby lifts the lid on Secret Service, ITV’s upcoming espionage thriller that stars Gemma Arterton as an MI6 officer attempting to maintain her family life while uncovering a Russian operative at the heart of the British government.
Fault lines
All Her Fault writer Megan Gallagher speaks to DQ about adapting Andrea Mara’s novel for the screen, working with star Sarah Snook and why she’s confident the eight-part thriller sticks the landing.
Forsyte unseen
Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield tells DQ about her “alternative” approach to crafting The Forsytes, a new period drama based on John Galsworthy’s Forsyte novels, writing for its starry ensemble cast and the unique circumstances behind making the series.
Eyes on Iris
The Iris Affair creator Neil Cross reflects on making this topical eight-part Sky thriller set across Italy, how he was inspired by the glamorous TV he grew up with and why he embraces the “chaos” in his career as a writer.
Imposter syndrome
Imposter creator and writer Jason Herbison tells DQ about reuniting with Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne for this four-part family feud thriller set in Melbourne, the appeal of Brits abroad and tapping into the “romanticised” appeal of Australia.
Unlocking Keyes
Irish actor and writer Stefanie Preissner and author Marian Keyes tell DQ how they came together to bring some of Keyes’ most famous characters to the screen with The Walsh Sisters, a comedic drama about five chaotic yet lovable siblings navigating their late 20s and 30s.
Selina’s story
Rekviem for Selina (Requiem for Selina) creator Emmeline Berglund reflects on creating this six-part drama about Norway’s first beauty blogger, why it’s a show for the TikTok generation and how it has changed the conversation around beauty standards.
Zonz of interest
French dramedy Zonz (Jailbreakers) follows a group of teenagers who find friendship, and possibly freedom, together in a youth detention centre. Co-creators Marine Maugrain-Legagneur and Quentin Pissot tell DQ how the dynamic series was brought to the screen.
Boiling over
Coldwater writer David Ireland speaks to DQ about penning this ITV thriller about family, masculinity and serial killers, working with star Andrew Lincoln and why he doesn’t like being on set.
Special Guest
Writer Matthew Barry reveals the inspirations behind his BBC thriller The Guest, discusses the toxic friendship at the heart of the story and explains why he wants his work to be “unashamedly commercial.”
Getting ready for Ridley
As Ridley returns to ITV, creator Paul Matthew Thompson tells DQ about reuniting with Adrian Dunbar’s captivating detective, the challenge of writing compulsive murder mysteries and what it’s like swapping police drama for high-seas adventure aboard The Good Ship Murder.
Killer instincts
From developing a high-octane plot to leading their first writers room, Harry and Jack Williams share their experience of making The Assassin – and why they’re always up for a creative challenge.
Bigger and better
As BAFTA winner Mr Bigstuff returns for a second season, creator and star Ryan Sampson tells DQ about making the Sky comedy, writing a series for fellow lead Danny Dyer and how he juggles multiple roles behind the scenes.