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The Rest Is Entertainment
The Rest Is Entertainment

BBC Content Boss on Tim Davie, Traitors and Strictly's Future

November 20, 2025 • 55m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips joins Marina Hyde and Richard Osman to discuss BBC programming, from the development of The Traitors to engaging younger audiences. Phillips shares behind-the-scenes stories about commissioning major shows, navigating recent BBC controversies, and the future of public service broadcasting in the age of AI and social media.

BBC Leadership Changes and Scrutiny

Kate Phillips reflects on the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness, describing it as a bolt from the blue. She discusses the intense scrutiny the BBC faces as a public broadcaster and argues that while accountability is important, it should be in the spirit of making the broadcaster better rather than sustained attacks.

  • Tim Davie's resignation was a personal phone call that came as a shock to Phillips
  • The BBC faces more scrutiny than any other broadcaster as it's publicly funded
  • Lisa Nandy warned against sustained attacks on the BBC
" I know no one who has worked harder or cared more about the BBC and making sure that it's of value to everyone in the UK. That is at their core. "

The Development of The Traitors

Phillips reveals the fascinating origin story of The Traitors, from discovering the Dutch format during the pandemic to convincing NBC to film in Scotland instead of Costa Rica. She explains how the show was designed to bring three generations together and describes the unconventional decision to secure the castle for Series 2 before the first series even aired, making the financial commitment without telling her bosses.

  • The Traitors was co-funded with NBC after discovering the Dutch format had only done okay in Holland
  • The show was originally planned to be filmed in Costa Rica but moved to a Scottish castle
  • Phillips called it 'a bit of a punt' when pitching to Charlotte Moore
  • Alan Cumming was signed for the US version first, leading to Claudia Winkleman's casting
  • Phillips committed significant money to secure the castle for Series 2 before the first series aired
" I literally said this, I said, I've got this show, Charlotte, it's a bit of a punt. And everything is a punt. You know that, Richard, you can do all the audience research you like, but ultimately, you're holding hands with the Indian jumping in and hoping it works. "
" I rung her up and I said and um she's a good friend and you know she's always open to sort of new challenges so I said Claudia I've got the show before you say anything it's the two things you hate you've got to leave your home and it's in the countryside "

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