Join us for a behind the scenes look at how this show became E4’s biggest hit, how the format was tweaked for a youth skewing audience, and what skills and experience it takes to be part of the production team.

We talk to Commissioning Editor Lee McMurray, Series Director James Kayler, Story Producer Phil Krstic, Casting Producer Emma Pringle and Researcher Izzy Garvan. Find out how a show like this gets commissioned, what it takes to direct a Married at First Sight dinner party, how to cast memorable couples and most importantly how you could get a job working on a show like this. 

Book now to get the low down and top tips from this talented panel!

Panel

Lee McMurray - Lee has been commissioner on Married at First Sight for the past two years, recently overseeing its successful revamp/move to E4, as well as delivering the last Channel 4 series during the lockdown of 2020.  Previously, he has also commissioned Caroline Flack: Her Life & Death, Gemma Collins: Self Harm & Me, The Love Trap, Celebrity Call Centre, The Posh Frock Shop and Famous & Fighting Crime for Channel 4, as well as being the commissioner for Made in Chelsea and The Sex Clinic on e4. Last year, he commissioned a deep fake Queen to deliver Channel 4’s annual Alternative Christmas Message.  Before joining Channel 4, Lee was an executive and series producer across a range of popular factual shows, including The Naked Choir with Gareth Malone (BBC2), Secret Eaters (Channel 4), What Happens in Kavos (Channel 4) and the Grierson-nominated Life is Toff (BBC3).

James Kayler - James' career began when he made a short film at college which was chosen to be aired on BBC 2. Unfortunately, the screening was at 3.30am although it did receive rave reviews from 3 of the 4 family members who stayed up to watch. 

Since then James has established himself as a writer/director of entertainment reality and comedy TV. His career has been varied, directing such shows as Love Island, Comic Relief, Children in Need, Take Me Out, Soccer Aid, Pride of Britain, 10 Years Younger and he has just wrapped on his first sitcom which is airing on Netflix next year.

Emma Pringle - An experienced Reality and Entertainment Senior Producer with over 11 years industry experience, primarily focusing on Casting and Welfare. 

Phil Krstic - Phil has been working in television production for almost 10 years and has spent a lot of his career specialising in reality. He's been on the run for Channel 4's hit reality thriller, 'Hunted' and stranded on a tropical desert island filming Shipwrecked for E4. 

As well as reality, he has also worked in consumer, travelling the world filming food science stories for Channel 4's Food Unwrapped and Superfoods. And in keeping with the food theme, Phil has more recently worked on British factual entertainment staple Come Dine With Me, also for Channel 4.

Izabela Garvan - Izabela is working as a Casting Researcher having just finished working on Married At First Sight UK. She came through the Creative Access scheme and spent 6 months as an office Runner for CPL Productions working across many different shows including; There’s Something About Movie, Life & Rhymes and Harry Hills Clubnite. Izabela has also worked as a Production Secretary on Quizness and as a VT Researcher on A League Of Their Own.