EPISODE 3 TESSA ROSS
Tessa Ross, CBE, one of Britain’s best-loved and most acclaimed producers, talks to Charlotte about BAFTA and Oscar-winner and audience favourite - Conclave.
DON’T MISS
How Tessa came across early chapters of Conclave and persuaded Robert Harris to allow her to option the novel.
How she and director Edward Berger gathered such an extraordinary cast, with the added bonus of Stanley Tucci providing top restaurant recommendations around Rome.
Insights into Tessa’s extraordinary prophetic talent to know exactly what audiences will want to see in cinemas - years in advance.
CHARLOTTE ON TESSA
“Tessa Ross’s filmography reads likes a list of my favourite British films ever made - films that challenge, surprise and move the heart. Think The Zone of Interest, Room, The Lobster, Four Lions, This is England, The Wonder, They Shall Not Grow Old.
Tessa is now the Co-CEO of House Productions, but her prior role as Controller of Film and Drama at Channel 4 left an enduring legacy on the UK’s film scene. No wonder Tessa was awarded the BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema. She developed and financed such diverse hits as Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, Jonathan Glazer’s Under The Skin and Steve McQueen’s Hunger, Shame and 12 Years a Slave.
On meeting Tessa what astonished me was how self-effacing and modest she was about her own achievements. She lives and works by the belief that ‘It’s never about me.’ I was blown away by her sublime insights into working with some of the greatest living filmmakers, and cannot wait for you to hear them too.”