Gareth Neame

Executive Producer


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tab

About
About this interview

In his one-hour interview, Gareth Neame talks about his early years and being part of a show business family. He describes his first years at the BBC as a floor manager, where he received invaluable training on such series as EastEnders. Neame recalls working his way up to head of independent drama at the BBC, which led to taking over Carnival Films (which was later bought by NBC/Universal). He discusses getting Julian Fellowes involved in what later became Downton Abbey, and speaks of his working relationship with Fellowes. He talks about the casting and production of the show, the global phenomenon it has become, and the challenges of losing actors and keeping storylines secret until the show airs. He concludes with advice for aspiring producers. Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on May 4, 2014 in Beverly Hills, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I don't think the job of producing entails anything beyond taste and judgment. I was told when I was originally trying to put 'Downton Abbey' together, 'Nobody in the United States will ever be interested in this project,' and it's one of the highest rating shows in America, despite the incredibly competitive landscape. If I'd been wobbled by that, maybe it would never have happened."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Gareth Neame on bringing Julian Fellowes to Downton Abbey  and developing the show
06:53
Gareth Neame on the casting for Downton Abbey
02:43
Gareth Neame on Highclere Castle, the location for Downton Abbey
01:59
Gareth Neame on keeping Downton Abbey storylines secret 
02:58
Gareth Neame on the difference between contracts with British actors and American actors
03:39
Full Interview

Play Full Interview

Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on his early interest in becoming a producer; on his early years at the BBC, including a short stint on EastEnders
On working his way up at the BBC; on becoming Head of Independent Drama at the BBC; on taking over Carnival Films and selling it to NBC/Universal
On what he learned during his time at the BBC as an executive; on co-producing Rome with HBO and Dracula with NBC
On the premise of Downton Abbey; on bringing Downton Abbey to Julian Fellowes and developing the show; on the American and global appeal of Downton Abbey
On the location of Downton Abbey; on his working relationship with Julian Fellowes on Downton Abbey; on casting for the show
On his favorite Downton Abbey storyline and keeping the storylines secret; on the popularity of Downton Abbey; on advice to aspiring producers
Shows

Downton Abbey

View Show Page
Gareth Neame on the premise of Downton Abbey
00:36
Gareth Neame on bringing Julian Fellowes to Downton Abbey  and developing the show
06:53
Gareth Neame on the American and global appeal of Downton Abbey
02:24
Gareth Neame on Highclere Castle, the location for Downton Abbey
01:59
Gareth Neame on his working relationship with Jullian Fellowes on Downton Abbey
03:47
Gareth Neame on the casting for Downton Abbey
02:43
Gareth Neame on the difference between contracts with British actors and American actors
03:39
Gareth Neame on his favorite Downton Abbey storyline 
01:49
Gareth Neame on keeping Downton Abbey storylines secret 
02:58
Gareth Neame on the popularity of Downton Abbey
02:23
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Gareth Neame on advice to aspiring producers
01:20

Television Industry

View Topic
Gareth Neame on advice to aspiring producers
01:20
Professions

Executives

View Profession
Gareth Neame on what he learned at the BBC as an executive
01:04

Producers

View Profession
Gareth Neame on advice to aspiring producers
01:20
Genres

Daytime/Primetime Serials

View Genre
Gareth Neame on producing Downton Abbey
29:13
People

Julian Fellowes

View Interview Page
Gareth Neame on bringing Julian Fellowes to Downton Abbey  and developing the show
06:52
Gareth Neame on his working relationship with Julian Fellowes on Downton Abbey
03:47

All Interviews

S