Bryan Elsley


Bryan Elsley is a Scottish television writer, best known for the co-creation of E4 teen drama Skins with his son, Jamie Brittain. Other television dramas include Rose and Maloney, The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star, The Crow Road', Dates, and Kiss Me First.

Early life and education

Elsley attended Dalkeith High School before going on to read English and History at the Alcuin College, University of York in York, England, where he graduated with a B.A. in 1982.

Career

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 three 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, 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.
On 18 March 2010, Elsey announced via the Skins blog that the final episode of series 4 was his last as a writer for the UK series, although Elsley did return to write the opening episode for series 6 in 2012. He executive produced Skins U.S. in 2011.

Personal life

Elsley has five children and currently lives in Kentish Town, London.

Film and television work