PRODUCTION – SCRIPTED
broadcastnow.co.uk August 2019 | Broadcast Hot Shots | 13
Nominated by Susan Hogg, head
of drama, Studio Lambert; Preethi
Mavahalli, executive producer,
Mammoth Screen
In just three years, the “intelligent”
and “diligent” James Gandhi has
gone from working as a trainee
script editor at Mammoth Screen
to heading up drama development
at Studio Lambert.
Since joining in April, James has
made his mark on the role, recently
securing an A-list writer for what
Studio Lambert’s Susan Hogg calls a
“very difficult” project and working
on several shows, including up-
coming BBC1 three-parter Shamed.
While a script editor at
Mammoth, he found and commis-
sioned writers for episodes of the
JAMES GANDHI, 25
HEAD OF DRAMA DEVELOPMENT, STUDIO LAMBERT
long-anticipated BBC1 adaptation
of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts +
Crosses, while also working along-
side scribes and executive producers
in writers’ rooms and with the likes
of journalist Carole Cadwalladr
and Casualty co-creator and
screenwriter Jeremy Brock on
several different projects.
James is credited with being able
to troubleshoot any problem and
possessing an extensive skill set. “I
can see no limit to James’ achieve-
ments,” says Mammoth Screen’s
Preethi Mavahalli. “He has already
achieved so much at such a young
age, and he is capable of anything –
James is guaranteed to make a
massive impact on the industry
during his career.”Nominated by: Sue Vertue, chief
executive, Hartswood Films
With an encyclopaedic knowledge
of TV and unique insight and
ability, development executive
Helena Murphy is described by
Sue Vertue as “Hartswood Films’
secret weapon”.
Since joining the Sherlock indie in
2016, Helen has set about ensuring
that Hartswood is at the forefront of
the industry’s mind – from partici-
pating in Bafta Elevate and Rocliffe
panels to fostering relationships
with talent organisations.
Helena has worked as a
development producer for comedy
competition London Sketchfest,
a production assistant at BBC
Edinburgh Festivals, scriptHELENA MURPHY 28
DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE, HARTSWOOD FILMS
researcher on Holby City and a script
exec at Sony Pictures Television.
At 28, her roles in development
have gifted her with an enviable
contacts book and a deep under-
standing of the US studio system,
which have proved invaluable to
projects at Hartswood. “Helena’s
assessment of projects and scripts
has become the gold standard
within the company,” says Vertue.
Helena’s eye for talent has already
resulted in finding and placing a
major development project with
an SVoD. “You just trust that she is
discovering the very best stream of
writing talent our industry has to
offer,” says Vertue. “Helena has a
wonderful future ahead creating
shows that we’ll all love to watch.”