Masterclass: Sally Wainwright and Faith Penhale on the making of Gentleman Jack

Screenwriter Sally Wainwright and producer Faith Penhale discuss the making of their award-winning BBC drama series Gentleman Jack, starring Suranne Jones. The historical drama tells the tale of Victorian industrialist Anne Lister and her pursuit of a covert lesbian relationship in 1830s Yorkshire.

Sally tells how the secret code of Anne's journals was hidden and discovered and talks about the moment she realised Suranne was the right actor to play the lead.

About Sally Wainwright

The BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright is a tour-de-force in the world of drama. She’s created the ITV drama series Scott & Bailey (2011–2016), Last Tango in Halifax (2012–present), and Happy Valley (2014–present). Sally is also the creator of the 2019 HBO and BBC One television series Gentleman Jack.

About Faith Penhale

Faith Penhale is chief executive officer of Lookout Point. She has worked on a broad range of shows, from a BAFTA-winning era of EastEnders and the multi award-winning Spooks. Previously she ran BBC Wales Drama, where her track record included the global phenomenon Sherlock. She joined Lookout Point as CEO, where she oversees a vibrant slate, including Gentleman Jack.

About Julia Raeside

The session was chaired by the journalist Julia Raeside. Julia has written about television for over 20 years for publications including The Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times, Red magazine and Pilot TV. She is a broadcaster and frequent contributor to shows on BBC Radio 2, 4 and 6 Music.

About the event

The event was recorded on 28 April 2020. It was supported by the ScreenSkills Television Skills Fund which invests in training for the freelance television workforce thanks to contributions from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. It t is part of a ScreenSkills programme designed by media consultant Donna Taberer to support freelancers to upskill and stay connected, helping keep the industry resilient in the coronavirus l