Edinburgh TV festival also spotlights a trio of comedy producers

Man Down co-writer Sian Harries and a trio of comedy producers have been named as ‘ones to watch’ by the Edinburgh TV festival.

The scheme, founded in 1994, is aimed at those who already have three or more years’ experience in TV and  offers training and mentoring to help them take the next step in their careers.

As well as the Greg Davies sitcom, Harries also wrote and starred in BBC Wales's Tourist Trap and the award-winning radio sketch show Here Be Dragons – and is currently developing a dark comedy about motherhood and friendship and an epic drama about a female sailor.

Speaking of her aims, she says: ‘I want the comedy drama series I've created to to be commissioned, for me to perform in it and for it to be co-produced by my own company Llanbobyl Vision.'

She added that she wants the firm – which she runs with her husband Rhod Gilbert – ‘to become known as a company which creates award-winning TV and who promotes and helps other minority voices tell their stories too’.

Other behind-the-scenes comedy names selected for the Ones To Watch talent scheme today are

• Rachel-Ann Clark, an assistant producer on Two Doors Down who recently produced a pilot for BBC Scotland working with an all female cast and crew. She also  promotes The Salon, an inclusive, live comedy-cabaret night at the Glasgow Glee.
• Zoe Tomalin,  a development assistant producer and writer at Hat Trick, where her credits includes Have I Got News For You and Hypothetical. She also co-created the sketch podcast SeanceCast.
• Gina Lyons, a former live comedy promoter who produced the pilots for BBC Three comedies In My Skin and Dreaming Whilst Black. Nerys Evans, head of comedy at programme-makers Expectation Entertainment,said: ‘Gina has learnt much coming through live comedy and entertainment TV. It is this grassroots route that has given her a sharp eye in spotting talent and a propensity for backing surprising and diverse stories… I know she has a very bright future ahead of her.’

A total of 105 people were named today for three talent schemes run by the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Published: 22 Jul 2021