Edinburgh TV Fest to Host James Graham & Alastair Campbell Session

The award-winning playwright and screenwriter James Graham will be in conversation with writer, campaigner and political strategist Alastair Campbell in a special session at the Edinburgh Television Festival.

In the session, James Graham in Conversation with Alastair Campbell, anti-Brexit campaigner Campbell will explore Graham’s career to date, including his most recent work, the Channel 4 drama Brexit: The Uncivil War with Benedict Cumberbatch. Graham will have the opportunity to ask Campbell his thoughts on how the media is used within political campaigns to influence audiences, and how drama reaches alternative demographics and achieves impact that traditional news coverage doesn’t.

Graham said: “In these politically traumatic times, it’s a real privilege to be attempting to write drama for a mainstream audience that tries to access some of these hidden worlds and hold the real-life individuals to account through storytelling. To be at the Edinburgh TV Festival this summer wrestling with how to do that responsibly, as well as artfully is really exciting, especially alongside Alastair Campbell whose own unique insights into political communication I look forward to exploring.”

Campbell added: “What I like about James’ work is that he resists cynicism and tries to get to the real motivations of people. I am looking forward to quizzing and being quizzed by someone who gets the reality of politics more than most.”

CEO and Festival Director Lisa Campbell said: “James is an incredible talent with a modern voice, perfect for depicting political situations with unnerving confidence, skill and accessibility to a TV audience. With Alastair’s background and pedigree in politics, this will be a captivating, thought-provoking and headline-grabbing session.”