Bryan Elsley
Encyclopedia
Bryan Elsley is a Scottish television writer, known most notably for the co-creation of E4 teen drama Skins
with his son, Jamie Brittain
. Other television dramas include 40, Rose and Maloney
, Nature Boy, The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star
, The Crow Road
, and Govan Ghost Story
While a student at The University of York
, Elsley met and collaborated with Harry Enfield
. They created a comedy duo, "Dusty and Dick", and performed a sell out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Elsley took up a career in theatrical writing, and then pursued television writing after parting from Enfield.
For 3 years Elsley was artistic director of Pocket Theatre Cumbria, which was based at Kendal
's Brewery Arts Centre. At that time he was also writing episodes for TV series Casualty
and London's Burning
. These, and his short film Govan Ghost Story (1989), opened up other opportunities for other television writing. Elsley's big break came when he was commissioned by the BBC to adapt Iain Banks
's novel The Crow Road for television.
Bryan Elsley has five children. He lives in Kentish Town
, London
.
Bryan Elsey announced on the 18th of March via the Skins blog that the final episode of series four was his last as a writer for the UK series. He executive produced MTV Skins in 2011 and whilst still Executive Producing all versions of Skins with its partners, is now turning to other projects.
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
with his son, Jamie Brittain
Jamie Brittain
Jamie Brittain is a Scottish TV writer and the son of Bryan Elsley, known most notably for the co-creation of the E4 teen drama Skins. On April 1st, 2011, he announced he would be leaving the show.-External links:...
. Other television dramas include 40, Rose and Maloney
Rose and Maloney
Rose and Maloney is a British television crime drama starring Sarah Lancashire and Phil Davis as Rose Linden and Maloney, two investigators working for the fictional Criminal Justice Review Agency. This agency takes on claims of miscarriages of justice, assessing whether there are grounds to...
, Nature Boy, The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star
The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star
The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star was a successful British comedy series, which aired on Channel 4 in 1998.It was a six-part satirical take on the music industry, written by BAFTA award-winner Bryan Elsley...
, The Crow Road
The Crow Road (TV series)
The Crow Road was a television miniseries by BBC Scotland in 1996, based faithfully on the complex novel by Scottish novelist Iain Banks. It was directed by Gavin Millar....
, and Govan Ghost Story
While a student at The University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
, Elsley met and collaborated with Harry Enfield
Harry Enfield
Henry Richard "Harry" Enfield is a BAFTA-winning English comedian, actor, writer and director.-Early life:...
. They created a comedy duo, "Dusty and Dick", and performed a sell out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Elsley took up a career in theatrical writing, and then pursued television writing after parting from Enfield.
For 3 years Elsley was artistic director of Pocket Theatre Cumbria, which was based at Kendal
Kendal
Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England...
's Brewery Arts Centre. At that time he was also writing episodes for TV series Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
and London's Burning
London's Burning
London's Burning was a British television drama programme produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network that focused on the lives of members of the London Fire Brigade, principally those of the Blue Watch at a fictional fire station called Blackwall.It was broadcast between 1986 and...
. These, and his short film Govan Ghost Story (1989), opened up other opportunities for other television writing. Elsley's big break came when he was commissioned by the BBC to adapt Iain Banks
Iain Banks
Iain Banks is a Scottish writer. He writes mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks, and science fiction as Iain M. Banks, including the initial of his adopted middle name Menzies...
's novel The Crow Road for television.
Bryan Elsley has five children. He lives in Kentish Town
Kentish Town
Kentish Town is an area of north west London, England in the London Borough of Camden.-History:The most widely accepted explanation of the name of Kentish Town is that it derived from 'Ken-ditch' meaning the 'bed of a waterway'...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Bryan Elsey announced on the 18th of March via the Skins blog that the final episode of series four was his last as a writer for the UK series. He executive produced MTV Skins in 2011 and whilst still Executive Producing all versions of Skins with its partners, is now turning to other projects.
Film and television work
- The Crow RoadThe Crow Road (TV series)The Crow Road was a television miniseries by BBC Scotland in 1996, based faithfully on the complex novel by Scottish novelist Iain Banks. It was directed by Gavin Millar....
(1996) - The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock StarThe Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock StarThe Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star was a successful British comedy series, which aired on Channel 4 in 1998.It was a six-part satirical take on the music industry, written by BAFTA award-winner Bryan Elsley...
(1998) - Nature Boy (1999)
- ComplicityComplicity (film)Complicity is a 2000 film based on the novel Complicity by Iain Banks. The screenplay was written by Bryan Elsley. It was directed by Gavin Millar...
(2000) - 40 (2003)
- Rose and MaloneyRose and MaloneyRose and Maloney is a British television crime drama starring Sarah Lancashire and Phil Davis as Rose Linden and Maloney, two investigators working for the fictional Criminal Justice Review Agency. This agency takes on claims of miscarriages of justice, assessing whether there are grounds to...
(2002–2005) - SkinsSkins (TV series)Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
(2007-Present) - Skins USSkins (North American TV series)Skins is an American teen drama. It is an adaptation of the original British teen drama of the same name. The show premiered on January 17, 2011 on MTV in the U.S. and on Movie Central and The Movie Network in Canada...
(2011)