Idiotlamp was founded by two old friends, the writer George Kay and director Jim Field Smith. The creative duo formed the company to focus on their own original drama and comedy projects, starting with STAG, the BBC mini-series. The company went on to produce CRIMINAL, the original drama series for Netflix, nominated in 2020 for an International Emmy, and is currently in production on the second season of the Apple TV+ thriller series HIJACK starring Idris Elba.
Jim Field Smith is a BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated director, producer and writer. He is currently directing and executive producing the second season of HIJACK, which he co-created with writer George Kay, and which stars Idris Elba, for Apple TV+. He also recently directed LITVINENKO, the factual drama series starring David Tennant, and he is the co-creator and lead director of the International Emmy-nominated Netflix Original drama series CRIMINAL. He was the director and executive producer of the Amazon Prime series TRUTH SEEKERS, the originating director and executive producer of DEFENDING THE GUILTY for BBC, and directed the pilot of HOME for Channel 4. Prior to that he co-wrote, produced and directed the BBC mini-series STAG, and produced and directed both seasons of THE WRONG MANs for BBC/Hulu, nominated for three BAFTAs and winning an RTS Award. His other TV credits include ENDEAVOUR (ITV), two seasons of WRECKED (TBS), and the second season of EPISODES (BBC/Showtime). He directed the major motion pictures SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE for Dreamworks and BUTTER starring Jennifer Garner, Hugh Jackman and Olivia Wilde.
George Kay is the co-creator and executive producer HIJACK for Apple TV+ and CRIMINAL for Netflix. Most recently he co-created the global hit series LUPIN, also for Netflix, as well as writing the two factual drama series THE LONG SHADOW and LITVINENKO (both for ITV). Previously he co-wrote the mini-series STAG for the BBC. His other writing credits include KILLING EVE for BBC America, MY MAD FAT DIARY, THE TUNNEL, THE HOUR and OUR ZOO. He was previously Head of Development at Twenty Twenty Television and Head of Factual at Blast Films, before pursuing writing full-time in 2009, when his feature screenplay GOOD LUCK ANTHONY BELCHER headed the Brit List. He wrote and directed the monologue DOUBLE LESSON, performed by Phil Davis, for Channel 4. His short film credits include BITTER, produced by Michael Winterbottom, and BARBADOS starring Michael Sheen.
