Always Take Notes

#218: Jesse Armstrong, screenwriter

Aug 5, 2025
Jesse Armstrong, a Shropshire-born screenwriter educated at Manchester University, is known for co-creating 'Peep Show' and the acclaimed HBO series 'Succession.' In this engaging chat, he reflects on his early career and shares insights into the creative process behind his films, including a tech satire. Armstrong discusses the challenges of transforming concepts into rich narratives, the importance of improvisation in storytelling, and his literary influences. He also touches on the moral complexities of writing about wealth in the entertainment industry.
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ANECDOTE

Birth of Mountainhead

  • Jesse Armstrong quickly created the film Mountainhead after extensive reading about tech billionaires and Silicon Valley podcasts.
  • Their distinctive tone and imagined universal competence inspired the film's characters and plot.
ANECDOTE

Jesse's Directing Experience

  • Jesse found directing challenging, especially on the first day with actors he admired.
  • The fear vanished after rehearsing, as the actors were nice and open to collaboration.
INSIGHT

Uncertain Views on AI

  • Jesse feels uncertain about AI's future and thinks others can speculate as well as he can.
  • The film Mountainhead reflects nuanced positions rather than clear stances on tech doom or boom.
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