Kit Lambert

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Freelance

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

For the last 15 years, I have been working as a professional writer for television and theatre, based in Cardiff in South Wales. In 2012, I graduated from the BBC Writers’ Academy and since then I have written on a wide range of series including EastEnders, Casualty, Father Brown, The Coroner, Death in Paradise, and The Sister Boniface Mysteries. I am currently developing my own series concepts and have projects under option with Hat Trick Productions and BBC Studios. I was recently a judge for the BAFTA Cymru Awards (Best Writer).

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I have always enjoyed writing as well as drama/literature. I first wrote a script for my local amateur theatre company when I was in my teens and I knew then that I wanted to pursue scriptwriting as a career. Being a scriptwriter particularly appeals to me as it is a collaborative process, working as part of a team to create something new and exciting.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a very active member of the Exeter University Theatre Company, acting and directing, as well as serving on the committee.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

We were the first year to be able to specialise in Creative Writing for an MA at Exeter, so it was an exciting time. I loved working with the various professional writers who were brought in to help us with the course and the opportunity to write my first, full-length screenplay.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

Exeter is a great campus and a lovely city to live in. I have very fond memories of my time there.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

It was where my English teacher at school studied and she recommended it to me. I knew it had a very strong reputation, especially for English Studies, and when I first visited the campus I got a great feeling from the place.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

As a scriptwriter, there is no substitute for seeing your own work being performed and then learning from your mistakes; whether it was script-in-hand performances of my early plays in a room above a pub, or those first episodes of BBC’s Doctors. Any opportunity to see my scripts being performed is a valuable lesson in what works and what doesn’t.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Write. Write every day if possible. Think of it like learning the piano. You can’t rely on natural “talent” – you need to practice your craft. Then share your work with people whose opinions you trust and ask them to be honest. If you get any opportunity to have your work performed, take it.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to continue developing my career, getting my own television series commissioned and getting more involved in the production side.