State of the Arts: Showrunner Steven S. DeKnight (Spartacus: House of Ashur) with host Des Doyle
In the latest episode of the State of the Arts Podcast, host filmmaker and writer Des Doyle chats with Steven S. DeKnight, acclaimed screenwriter, director, producer, and creator/showrunner behind some of the most influential genre series of the past two decades.
Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the State of the Arts series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish and international creatives face in today’s ever-evolving artistic landscapes.
In this conversation, DeKnight reflects on his journey breaking into the entertainment industry as a writer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He discusses his work writing, directing, and producing on iconic series such as Angel, Smallville, and Dollhouse, before creating the hit show Spartacus for Starz and showrunning season one of Marvel’s Daredevil. He also talks about making his feature directorial debut with Pacific Rim: Uprising and his return to the Spartacus universe with the upcoming Spartacus: House of Ashur.
Chapters:
2:11 – Nerves for “House of Ashur” impending release
09:29 – Inside the Writers’ Room
12:25 – Season Orders & Long-Game Planning
13:32 – How the Strikes Shook Production
15:07 – Showrunner Writing Process Explained
16:46 – Running a Show: LA vs New Zealand
18:58 – Why DeKnight Hasn’t Yet Directed Spartacus
22:35 – 22-Episode TV vs Today’s 10-Episode Sweet Spot
25:19 – Sticking With “House of Ashur” + Other Projects
28:37 – DeKnight’s Comic Book Worlds
36:03 – Working With Comic Artists
37:08 – AI in Entertainment: Hot Takes & Concerns
40:30 – Showrunning in 2025: Budgets & Tech Shift
45:07 – Are Spec Scripts Still Worth It?
48:01 – Top Writing Advice: Passion, Persistence, Failure
51:33 – What Failure Really Looks Like in Hollywood
01:00:52 – Rapid-Fire Favourites: TV, Music & More
Follow the journey of State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/
Read more about this episode here: www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-showrunner-steven-s-deknight-spartacus-house-of-ashur-with-host-des-doyle
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Presents: Actor Bríd Brennan (Aontas) & Enter Yes Vicki Rock & Kris Kelly
In today’s Film Ireland podcast, we are delighted to partner with two wonderful film festivals. Last month at the Dinard British & Irish Film Festival, we caught up with acclaimed actor Bríd Brennan to talk about her extraordinary career on stage and screen, as well as her powerful performance as Cait in her latest film, Aontas.
We’ll also be reporting live next week from the Foyle Film Festival, running in Derry from the 19th to the 30th of November (where Aontas will also be screening).
Later in the episode (Timecode: 15:30), we hear from Vicki Rock and Kris Kelly, the husband-and-wife team behind the award-winning boutique creative studio Enter Yes. Their bold coming-of-age short Bulls in Water - directed and written by Kris and produced by Vicki - is about to have its premiere at Foyle.
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Presents: Filmmakers Brendan Canty & David Kittredge & CIFF Programming Director
In this Film Ireland Podcast, we're delighted to partner with the Cork International Film Festival, which runs until the 16th of November. In this very special episode, we highlight some of the standout films in this year’s line-up.
First, IMRO Award-winning journalist and reviewer Yuliia Riabova speaks with Aurélie Godet, Cork International Film Festival’s Director of Programming, about this year’s themes, approach, and the strong line up Irish and international films on offer.
Then filmmaker and actor Oscar O’Sullivan chats with Brendan Canty about his Irish-language documentary Gealtra.
Finally, festival correspondent Shane McDevitt sits down with director David Kittredge to discuss his film Boorman and the Devil, which documents John Boorman’s experience making The Exorcist II in Ireland. This chat was recorded after the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year.
This podcast has been made possible with the support of Coimisiún na Meán.
Check out the full festival line up at corkfilmfest.org.
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1:14:03
On the Ground: A look Back at Dinard British & Irish Film Festival
In this episode of the Film Ireland Podcast, we are delighted to once again partner with the Dinard British and Irish Film Festival, which held its 36th edition last month in the picturesque seaside town of Dinard, Brittany.
First, we chat with Dominique Green, Artistic Director of Dinard, who shares insights into the festival’s vision, programming, and what makes it such a unique event on the film calendar.
At the festival, Associate Editor Gemma Creagh caught up with writer/director Damian McCann to talk about his gripping feature Aontas, where three unlikely women rob a rural Irish Credit Union. Listen back to their conversation for a deep dive into the film’s themes and creative process.
Finally, we sit down with writer/director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor to discuss her powerful debut feature Dreamers, exploring ambition, belonging, and the pursuit of hope.
Read more about this episode here: www.filmireland.net/podcast-a-look-back-at-dinard-british-irish-film-festival
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1:10:29
State of the Arts: Bestselling Author Catherine Doyle (The Dagger and the Flame) with host Des Doyle
In the latest episode of the State of the Arts Podcast, host filmmaker and writer Des Doyle chats with Catherine Doyle, internationally bestselling and award-winning author of The Dagger and the Flame, The Rebel And The Rose and The Storm Keeper trilogy.
Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the State of the Arts series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish and international creatives face in today’s ever-evolving artistic landscapes.
In this conversation, Doyle shares insights into her creative journey - from inspirations, to the practical aspects of building emotionally rich, imaginative worlds for young readers, to writing Romantasy books with the City Of Fantome trilogy and co-authoring the bestselling Twin Crowns trilogy. She discusses her journey, becoming successful, and gives helpful insight into how she managed to pen 13 books in a decade.
Follow the journey of State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/
Read more about this episode here: https://www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-bestselling-author-catherine-doyle-with-host-des-doyle
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