The Diplomat: Q&A with the team behind the new Crime Drama

Join WFTV for a conversation with some of the team behind the hit Alibi drama, The Diplomat.

In this event hosted by Rhianna Dhilllon, both series Directors Jill Robertson and Jennie Paddon are joined by Executive Producer Emma Luffingham and Writer Lauren Klee to discuss their experiences of making the crime drama from script to screen. They panel will also be discussing their time filming on location. 

Created by Ben Richards (Showtrial, Cobra, The Tunnel), The Diplomat is six-part crime series produced by World Productions (Vigil, Line of Duty). Fast-paced, intelligent and with whip-smart humour, The Diplomat follows Laura Simmonds (Sophie Rundle) and her Consul colleague and friend Alba Ortiz (Serena Manteghi) as they fight to protect Distressed British Nationals in Barcelona - Spain’s most visited city. Mixing the roles of lawyer, counsellor and cop, Laura and Alba's diplomatic skills are stretched to the limit as they navigate the stream of surprising and complex cases that walk through the Consulate doors in need of their assistance.

The Diplomat is availible to watch from 28th Feb at 9pm on Alibi.

Event Schedule:

17:55: Please join the webinar waiting room

18:00: Panel talk

18:45: Audience Q&A

19:00: Finish

Speakers:

Emma Luffingham

Emma joined World Productions in October 2019 as Head of Development, helping to drive a broad and exciting slate of ambitious drama to screen. During her time at World she has Story Produced Ben Richard's Showtrial for BBC1, the Emer Kenny adaptation of Val McDermid’s Karen Pirie for ITV, and upcoming medical thriller, Malpractice for ITV, created by Grace Ofori-Attah, starring Niamh Algar and directed by Phil Barantini. Next up, Emma is exec producing a yet-to-be announced 5 part drama for BBC1.

Previously, Emma was at Tiger Aspect, developing and script exec-ing an eclectic slate of projects, including the 3rd series of The Good Karma Hospital for ITV. Whilst at Tiger, Emma was responsible for heading up a new Tiger Aspect Writers Initiative; tasked to identify new British Asian talent and commission 3 original ideas to script.

Emma began her drama career in 2010 as part of the BBC in-house drama team where she stayed until 2018. During that time Emma was lucky enough to work on shows such as Silk (series 3), In The Flesh, What Remains and The Interceptor before script editing Undercover by Peter Moffat and Three Girls, the Bafta award winning drama from Nicole Taylor.

Jill Robertson

Jill is BAFTA nominated and most recently directed The Diplomat for World/UKTV/Alibi, Dalgilesh for New Pictures/Acorn/C5, and Red Election for Disney+/NENT/Viaplay/A&E. Other work includes Pennyworth: The Orgin Of Batman's Butler for HBO Max/MGM+, Humans for Kudos/C4/AMC, Harlots for Monumental/HULU/BBC and Last Tango In Halifax for Red/BBC.

A former professional dancer and drama teacher she trained at the NFTS and began her career working in script development and production on films including Trainspotting, A Life Less Ordinary and Saving Grace subsequently co-producing Cannes Director’s Fortnight opener and award-winner 27 Missing Kisses. She also produced several shorts including multiple award-winning Desserts starring Ewan McGregor.

Lauren Klee

Lauren has written two episodes of World Productions' UKTV show The Diplomat. She is also adapting The Woman Who Defied Kings for Crystal City Entertainment, developing an original 60’ crime pilot, Sleeper, with The Forge and a series, Lifted, co-created with Lorna Woolfson for Company Pictures. Lauren is part of the BBC Studios Writer's Workshop Scheme under which she wrote an original pilot I Am Happy For You. Lauren completed an episode of CALL THE MIDWIFE for Neal Street/BBC1 and she wrote episode five of REDWATER for BBC Studios/BBC1.

Her 3x60’ serial TINA & BOBBY, about the footballer Bobby Moore’s relationship with wife Tina, aired on ITV in 2017. Since graduating from the BBC Writer's Academy in 2010, Lauren

has become a core writer on EASTENDERS. She has written over 100 episodes, including an episode of the 30th anniversary live week, and also contributes story lines.

Jennie Paddon

After working in theatre from a young age as an actor and director, Jennie spent twenty years on feature film sets in the camera department. There, learning from some of the best directors in the industry, she was continually understanding, honing and developing her visual and storytelling style.

Jennie brings a unique set of imaginative skills to her directing jobs. Always working visually to the strengths and needs of the story, Jennie has built a trusted reputation for working collaboratively both with actors, crew and production. On set she always comes well prepared and is calm, efficient and creative even when unexpected challenges arise.

How will the online event work?

This event will be live streamed via Zoom.us. Viewing details will be sent via your confirmation.

Attending participants will not be visible to others and will be muted throughout the session. After the talk, there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions by using the Q&A feature.

This event is for existing WFTV members only.

If you are not a member and would like to join, membership costs just £100 + VAT/yr , please click here or email admin@wftv.org.uk

At WFTV we’re really keen to ensure that all our events are accessible for everyone. So if you have any particular access needs, please can you let us know before an event and we will do our best to accommodate you. We would be grateful if you can give us as much notice as possible – please contact admin@wftv.org.uk