Now and Ben: Steven Knight on ‘Maria’, his screenwriting secrets, the Peaky Blinders movie & more
Jan 13, 2025
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Stephen Knight, a legendary film and TV writer known for works like Peaky Blinders and Locke, joins Ben Bailey Smith for a deep dive into his illustrious career. They discuss Knight's latest biopic, Maria, exploring the creative process and its themes of self-reflection. The conversation also touches on how his humble beginnings in comedy shaped his writing style. Plus, he spills some exciting gossip about the anticipated Peaky Blinders movie, making this a must-listen for fans of his storytelling!
Stephen Knight reflects on his transition from comedy to drama, highlighting the distinct audience perceptions that shaped his screenwriting evolution.
In his latest film 'Maria', Knight explores the complexities of identity and personal struggle through a narrative that intertwines reality and fantasy, revealing vulnerabilities beneath fame.
Deep dives
The Journey from Comedy to Drama
Stephen Knight shares his humble beginnings in comedy and the daunting challenges of making audiences laugh consistently. He recalls how working with established comedians like Jasper Carrot allowed him to enhance his writing and understand the intricate psychology of performance. This experience transitioned into his foray into drama, igniting a desire to explore deeper narratives. Knight reflects on his initial inexperience when shifting to writing screenplays, realizing the significant differences in audience perception between comedy and drama.
The Creative Process and Writer's Intuition
Knight discusses his unique writing process, likening it to a dream state where ideas flow organically without structured outlines. He expresses the challenges he faced in adapting to expectations from producers and how he has grown comfortable with the inevitable divergence between initial scripts and final productions. The acceptance that adaptations may differ yet often enhance the narrative has become a crucial part of his evolution as a writer. Knight's recognition of his instinctual creativity informs the character development and story arcs he constructs in his works.
Exploring Themes of Identity and Memory
In his latest film 'Maria,' Knight delves into the complexities of identity through the character of Maria Callas, focusing on her final days and the internal battles she faces. He creatively intertwines elements of reality and fantasy, using the hallucinatory effects of drugs to symbolize Maria's self-reflection and judgment. This narrative framework allows Knight to examine broader themes such as public perception, personal struggle, and the impact of fame. The film’s approach captures the haunting essence of Maria’s life, revealing her vulnerabilities beneath the glamorous surface.
The Impact of Research on Character Development
Knight emphasizes the importance of research in developing authentic characters, particularly through his portrayal of Maria Callas's domestic staff. He details how real-life testimonies from those who worked closely with Maria provide rich insights into her complex relationships and the changing dynamics as her health declined. This attention to detail enriches the narrative, highlighting the emotional ties and challenges of caretaking for someone once at the pinnacle of success. By making these relationships central to the storyline, Knight cultivates empathy and relatability within the haunting context of Maria's life.
In this latest bonus nugget of ‘Now and Ben’ goodness, our sometime super sub Ben Bailey Smith chats to legendary film & TV writer Stephen Knight. He’s penned some of the most exciting scripts to hit our screens over the last three decades, from ‘Dirty Pretty Things’ and ‘Locke’ to ‘SAS Rogue Heroes’ and, of course, ‘Peaky Blinders’.
Most recently he’s written ‘Maria’—a biopic of opera singer Maria Callas in her last days as she tries to rediscover her voice in time for her swan song. Following 2021’s ‘Spencer’, it’s Knight’s second collaboration with director Pablo Larraín.
Ben sits down with Steven for an in-depth chat about the exceptional career that’s seen him become one of Britain’s most prolific and best-known TV & film writers. They talk humble beginnings in British TV comedy with Jasper Carrott, and his journey from the backstreets of Birmingham and the small screen to the bright lights of Hollywood. Ben even gets a cheeky bit of gossip about the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie…
Listen out for more of Ben’s conversations with cinema’s most exciting creative talents dropping into the feed every ‘Now and Ben’…