Kay is a writer performer with many years’ experience in TV, Film, Theatre & Radio. She won the Titheridge Award for promising new comedy writer in 1995, one of only a handful of women ever to do so and has been on the writing team of many award-winning TV shows including ‘My Family,’ ‘Shaun the Sheep,’ ‘Harry Enfield and Chums,’ and ‘Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression.’
Kay is the co-founder of ‘FEMALE PILOT’ CLUB’ a new showcase for female comedy writers launched in June 2019 featuring Arabella Weir, Rob Webb, Tracy Ann Oberman and Jordan Stephens. The club partnered with UKTV in 2023 to produce a female writers initiative for sit-com scripts with leading characters over 45. Two of the featured scripts are now in professional development.
The FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST hosted by Kay and Abigail Burdess launched in January 2022 with episodes featuring Georgia Pritchett (Veep, Succession, Janice Hallett (The Appeal, The Twyford Code) and Julie Bower (So Awkward.)
For Radio, Kay created the original and critically acclaimed radio series ‘Audio Diaries’ which ran for three seasons on Radio 4. She also co-created ‘Robin and Wendy’s Wet Weekends,’ which featured Amelia Bulmore, Sharon Horgan, and James Corden and created the Radio 4 comedy drama series ‘Bad Salsa’ starring Sharon Rooney, Camille Coduri and Natasha Little. Both series are now on Audible.
Film and Television
2023 – Directed ‘QUEER JIG’ by Leigh Douglas and ‘THICKER THAN WATER’ by Sydney Stephenson at JW3 Centre for FPC/UKTV Writers Initiative.
2022 – Script edited four new comedy TV scripts for UKTV Writers Initiative
2022 – Produced – FEMALE PILOT CLUB/UKTV Female Writers Initiative
2022 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST SERIES 2 – with Athena Kugblenu, Sioned William
2022 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST LAUNCH – with Georgia Pritchett, Janice Hallett and Julie Bower.
2021 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB PODCAST In development with Abigail Burdess
2020 – FEMALE PILOT CLUB MENTORING SCHEME– Run with support from Comedy 50:50 and ScreenSkills UK.
2019 – WHAT WOULD BOUDICCA DO? Teen adaptation of the best-selling book, with Bafta Award Winning screenwriter Catherine Williams (in development)
2018
THE PACT Comedy-drama pilot script co-written with Helen Jacey
In development
BAD SALSA Treatment in development with Hat Trick Productions for TV adaptation of radio series
2017 TEE & MO 1 x 7 minute episode for Plug-In Productions
2016
MILLIE INBETWEEN
1 x episode for series 3, The Foundation/CBBC
MEET THE SIVF-LINGS
Original comedy-drama
WHERE’S WHALEED
Treatment for Children’s series in development with Devonia Road Productions
2013 YE OLDE DRAGON’S DEN
BBC Children’s Sketch Show, 2013.
2012
HEATHCLIFF ALONE
Feature film inspired by a character from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.
In development.
FLIPSIDE
Bible and pilot script commission with Red for BBC
2011 LIFE OF RILEY
Additional material and script polishing across Series 3 for Catherine Bailey / BBC1, 2010-2011.
2010
THE STRUGGLE MOSEY’S ON
Writer/Director of short film.
***Shortlisted for best film Tricycle Theatre’s Women, Power and Politics Festival.
EBABY BOOM
Further development commissioned for CBBC, based on NANNY KNOWS BEST, 2009-10.
MY GHOST MUM
Original series in development.
2009
MUDDLE EARTH
2 x 10 minute animated script for CBBC.
THE IMP
Animation storylines and 7 minute script for Red Kite.
2008
SHAUN THE SHEEP
One episode for Aardman.
**Winner of the Writer’s Guild Award, 2010.
**Winner of the International Emmy Awards, 2010
DANI’S HOUSE
Two episodes for RDF/BBC.
2007 BORN AGAIN DAD
Original comedy script commission for BBC 1, 2006-7.
2006
MY FAMILY
Table-writing for DLT/BBC 1.
NANNY KNOWS BEST
Two original sitcom scripts commissioned for BBC 1.
2005
GIRLS IN LOVE
Two episodes for Granada/ITV, 2004-5.
KERCHING!
Six episodes written over four series for Children’s BBC, 2002-5.
2004
DEAD RINGERS
Series 4, sketch for BBC 2.
GRANGE HILL
Three episodes for Mersey TV/BBC, 2003-4.
2002
ALISTAIR MCGOWAN’S BIG IMPRESSION TV TO GO
Two series for Vera/BBC, 2000-2002.
**Winner ‘Best Comedy’ at The Comedy Awards.
ONLY NOW
Original pilot script commissioned by Tiger Aspect.
ROBIN AND WENDY
Two original scripts commissioned by Channel X.
POPE TOWN
Animation series for Channel X.
2001 THE SKETCH SHOW
Series for Baby Cow/ITV.
1998
ALAS SMITH AND JONES
Series for BBC, 1994-8.
COMEDY NATION
Series for BBC.
BARKING
Writer and performer for series on C4.
1996
SPITTING IMAGE
Series for Central/ITV, 1995-6.
HALE AND PACE
Series for LWT/ITV, 1993-6.
RORY BREMNER WHO ELSE?
Series for Channel 4.
1994 HARRY ENFIELD AND CHUMS
Series for Channel 4.
**Won the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain Award
Radio/ Audio
2017 BAD SALSA
3 x series for Radio 4 starring Camille Coduri, Sharon Rooney and Natasha Little (2014-2017)
2016 CURFEW 24/7
Original YA e-book and audio book commissioned by AudioGo.
2012 SECRET DIARY OF A MAGISTRATE
BBC Radio 4.
2011 LAST CHANCE TO SEE
1 X 30 minute for BBC Radio 4.
2010 SECRET DIARY OF A CALL CENTRE GIRL
1 x 15 minute pilot for BBC Radio 4.
2009 MADAME MAESTRO
6 x 10 minutes for BBC Radio 7, Unique.
2005 ROBIN AND WENDY’S WET WEEKEND
Creator, Writer and Performer of four original series for BBC Radio 4,
2002-05
SUNDAY FORMAT
Series for Radio 4, BBC.
THE POWDER ROOM
Series for Unique/BBC Radio 2.
ROBIN AND WENDY IN EDINBURGH
Original spin-off from the BBC Radio series.
2002 DEAD RINGERS
Writer on series for Radio 4.
2001
AND THIS IS THEM
Series for Radio 2, BBC.
AUDIO DIARIES
Creator of three original series, for BBC Radio 4, 1997-2001.
Series 1: Writer
Series 2: Writer and Script Editor
Series 3: Co-Producer
**Nominated for a Prix Italia Radio Award.
1997
LIFE AFTER LIFE
Comedy drama for BBC Radio 2.
THE TREATMENT
Series for BBC Radio 5.
1996
WEEKENDING
Series for BBC Radio 4, 1993-6.
THE BEATON GENERATION
Series for BBC Radio 4.
1988 NAKED VIDEO
Writer on Sketch Show for BBC Scotland
Performing
Kay’s performing credits include BBC films directed by Mike Leigh (‘Home Sweet Home’), Jonathan Miller (‘Beggar’s Opera’) and Mike Newell (‘The Nation’s Health’) and a season at the National Theatre. She also appeared in cult BBC series ‘A Very Peculiar Practice’ and ‘The Young Ones’. Kay also has many acting credits in BBC Radio 4 productions. Kay’s performing credits in Television & Film are as follows:
NEW TRICKS
BBC/Wall to Wall
BROKEN NEWS
BBC
DEAD RINGERS
BBC
HUSTLE
Kudos Film & TV
VIGO
Impact Pictures
TIME GENTLEMAN PLEASE
Avalon
NORTH SQUARE
Working Title
PEOPLE LIKE US
BBC
BARKING
Channel X
DOES CHINA EXIST
BBC
INSPECTOR MORSE
Carlton
LAZARUS & DINGWALL
BBC
MR LOVE
Enigma/Warner Bros
SHALOM JOAN COLLINS
C4
AN AFFAIR IN MIND
BBC
A VERY PECULIAR PRACTICE
BBC
BUDDY
BBC
THE LENNY HENRY SHOW
BBC
THE YOUNG ONES
BBC
THE BEGGARS OPERA
BBC
CARROT’S LIB
BBC
Script Development and Consulting
- Script Consultant for Script Angel 2018-
- Short and feature film development for London Film Academy Diploma Students. 2012-
- Script Development work for Catherine Bailey Productions 2011-15 Includes working with new writers on features, sit-coms, and radio series
- Freelance script editing on short films, short stories and other projects
- Ministry of Stories: Writing Mentor working with children
Lecturing, Masterclasses and Workshops
2020– LONDON FILM ACADEMY
MA Screenwriting, MA Film-making, BA FILM-MKAING
2016- LONDON FILM ACADEMY
Screenwriting Diploma/Film-making Diploma/BA Film/Making/Directing Diploma
2015/16 BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Lecturer in Screenwriting
2014
LONDON FILM ACADEMY
Screenwriting Diploma/Film-Making Diploma
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY
What Next? How to Start and Continue a Career in Writing (Oct)
Industry Read- Script Development Tutorial (Jul)
CITY UNIVERSITY (MA Creative Writing)
Comedy Master Class (Jul)
LONDON ACADEMY OF FILM (Screenwriting Foundation Course)
Short Film Development Programme (Jun)
LONDON FILM ACADEMY (Film Foundation Course)
Short Film Writing Module (Jan)
2013
LONDON ACADEMY OF FILM (Screenwriting Diploma Course
Master class: What is a Sit-Com? (Nov)
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY (MASTFiR)
Guest Sessions (Oct/Nov):
Understanding the TV Landscape
Getting Started – How to make the most of your MA
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER
Teaching Fellow in Screenwriting (2011-2013)
Joint Course Leader in Screenwriting (2012-2013)
Modules Taught (BA Joint Honours):
Screenwriting Fundamentals
Screen Adaptation
Radio and TV Comedy
Modules Written:
Industry Practices and Applications
Scriptwriting – Ideas, Development and Structure
Scriptwriting – Concept, Development and Realisation
Short Courses and Intensives:
3 Day Film Challenge
2 Day Sit-Com Intensive
2010
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY
Writing for Radio
THE INSTITUTE HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB
Creative Writing For Wimps!
Group Writing Project
2009
LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS (MA and BA)
Master class- Writing Comedy
ROYAL HOLLOWAY UNIVERSITY
Writing for Animation
2008
LONDON COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS (BA)
Film Writing Module
THE INSTITUTE HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB
Creative Writing For Wimps!
WRITER’S WORKSHOP
Ran “Made in East Finchley” a writing group for new writers.
Other Relevant Experience
TALKS SCHEMES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2019 WHEXT Festival, San Paolo, Brazil
2019 BFI Future Films Festival, London
2018, SPEAKER AT TRAILBLAZING WOEMN IN FILM AND TV CONFERENCE, Greenwich University, London
2018 SPEAKER/WORKSHOP LEADER TALENT LAB, LONDON SCREENWRITERS FESTIVAL
2018 KEYNOTE SPEAKER WHEXT Festival of Advertising San Paolo, Brazil
2017 STORYLAB – PANAMA FILM COUNCIL, PANAMA
Development project working with local film-makers
2014
SPEAKER AT LONDON FILM FESTIVAL
The Art of Adaptation
SPEAKER AT SALFORD SYMPOSIUM ON TEACHING SCREENWRITING
2011
SPEAKER AT LONDON COMEDY WRITERS FESTIVAL
FEATURE SCRIPT ‘HEATHCLIFF ALONE’ SHORTLISTED FOR GUIDING LIGHTS MENTORING SCHEME
2010
SHORT FILM ‘THE STRUGGLE MOSEYS ON’ SHORT LISTED FOR BEST FILM
Shown at The Tricycle Theatre’s ‘Women Power and Politics’ short film festival in 2010 and shown at the London Independent Film Festival in 2011
SELECTED AS ONE OF THE 12 PARTICIPANTS TO ATTEND ‘THE LAST LAUGH PROGRAMME’
A feature film development initiative from Warp X and Bird’s Eye View