
Award-winning television dramatist and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. After learning the art of screenwriting whilst working on Coronation Street, she made her name with her suburban comedy drama At Home With The Braithwaites. Her stories are usually set in the north of England including Last Tango in Halifax, and her 19th century historical series Gentleman Jack. Her most recent hit is Happy Valley, a crime drama that spanned a decade and three series, winning huge acclaim, viewing figures and multiple awards.\n\nSally talks about her early obsession with television, and how the 1970s musical drama Rock Follies inspired her to become a television writer at a young age. She recalls her early career writing for BBC Radio 4's The Archers and the ITV soap Coronation Street and discusses the inspirations behind some of her biggest hits.\n\nProducer: Edwina Pitman
Source: BBC 4
Lubaina Himid
Artist Lubaina Himid talks to John Wilson about her creative influences.
14-09-2026
BBC 4
Series 2: 6. Ken Loach
Over six decades, Ken Loach has forged a reputation as Britain’s foremost politically engaged film-maker, exploring issues of social justice, freedom and power. He has twi ...
10-06-2026
BBC 4
Mark Ronson
Musician Mark Ronson talks about his cultural influences.
28-02-2026
BBC 4
Juliette Binoche
Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.
14-02-2026
BBC 4
Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of The Who, talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences.\n\nThe Who first stormed the pop charts in 1965 with teenage ...
30-01-2026
BBC 4
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson’s breakthrough television role in the sci-fi series The X-Files made her a global star in 1993, and she played cool-headed Agent Dana Scully for nearly a ...
02-10-2025
BBC 4
Series 1: 8. Evelyn Glennie
The world's leading classical solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to John Wilson about her career and some of the key influences on her artistic path.\n\nFrom growing up in ...
20-07-2025
BBC 4
Sheku Kanneh-mason
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason was born in Nottingham in 1999 into a big musical family. He and his six siblings all grew up learning classical instruments and appeared on Britain&r ...
22-06-2025
BBC 4
Abi Morgan
Screenwriter and playwright Abi Morgan has worked across a diverse array of themes and genres for more than 25 years. She wrote the television series The Split, a domestic drama ...
10-05-2025
BBC 4
Salman Rushdie
One of the world’s greatest novelists, Salman Rushdie has won many prestigious international literary awards and was knighted for services to literature in 2007. He won th ...
27-03-2025
BBC 4
Lubaina Himid
Artist Lubaina Himid talks to John Wilson about her creative influences.
14-09-2026
BBC 4
Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is one of the most successful and influential figures in popular music. As a songwriter, producer and arranger, he has enjoyed a 50-year career with his bands Chic ...
02-03-2025
BBC 4
Series 2: 3. Tim Minchin
Comedian, actor and composer Tim Minchin, the songwriter behind Matilda the Musical, chooses his creative influences and discusses his career.
10-12-2022
BBC 4
Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of The Who, talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences.\n\nThe Who first stormed the pop charts in 1965 with teenage ...
30-01-2026
BBC 4
Series 1: 4. Tracey Emin
Artist Tracey Emin talks to John Wilson about the experiences that have shaped her life and career.\n\nIn a deeply personal interview, Emin speaks about undergoing treatment for ...
12-12-2021
BBC 4
Boy George
Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.
04-05-2024
BBC 4
Series 2: 4. Whoopi Goldberg
Actor Whoopi Goldberg reveals the most important influences and experiences that shaped her own creativity.
25-05-2023
BBC 4
Series 1: 3. Mike Leigh
Film director Mike Leigh talks to John Wilson about the art and experiences that have shaped his own creative life.\n\nLeigh recalls his early life in Salford and reveals how a ...
07-12-2021
BBC 4
Series 2: Sally Wainwright
Award-winning television dramatist and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. After learning the art of screenwriting whilst wor ...
11-09-2024
BBC 4
Series 1: 5. Carlos Acosta
Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta talks to John Wilson about some of the key moments of his cultural life.\n\nHe discusses the influence of his father, his early love of breakdanc ...
23-01-2022
BBC 4