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Penelope Shales-Slyne

Director - Drama / Comedy / Kids (live action)

Agent: Jean Kitson - jean@kitsonpress.co.uk

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Throughout her career, both in theatre and television, Penny has remained passionate about performance and is known for her excellent work with actors and polished visual style. Penny started in theatre, and since moving into television she has directed hundreds of hours of drama. She is currently a returning director on Coronation Street, EastEnders, Fair City and Pobol Y Cwm and has directed for shows such as Hollyoaks, The Bill, Family Affairs (which she also produced), Grange Hill and Welsh prison drama Tu Fewn Tu Fas. She mentors young directors, occasionally teaching directing at postgraduate level, and did two years on Kenyan soap Makutano Junction teaching local directors and production crews. Penny is fluent in French and Welsh.

Work

Directing

I, Dido
Director

Short film made in 2021. Has won 21 awards so far including:

2021 Toronto International Women Film Festival: Best Historical Film
Berlin International Art Film Festival: Best First Time Short Filmmaker
European Cinematography Awards: Best First Time Filmmaker (June 2021)
London Indie Short Festival: Best Female Director (October 2021)

Coronation Street (2019-2023)
ITV

Regular director on ITV’s flagship continuing drama series.

Fair City (2011-2023)
RTÉ

Regular returning director on Ireland’s leading continuing drama series, filming in Dublin.

Pobol Y Cwm (2012-2020)
BBC Wales

Returning director to Welsh language continuing drama series; most recent block December 2019 to January 2020.

EastEnders (2015-2019)
BBC

Regular Director.

Hollyoaks (2001-2016)
Lime Pictures / C4

Regular and returning director for C4’s continuing drama series.

Makutano Junction (2010-2011)
Mediae

Series 8, 9 and 10 of Mediae’s Kenyan issue led drama shot in Nairobi. Also mentored young Kenyan directors.

EastEnders
BBC

Over 30 episodes of the BBC1 flagship continuing drama series

The Bill (2002-2004)
Talkback Thames / ITV

Several 60’ episodes. In 2003 and 2004 Penny tutored training courses for new directors to THE BILL.

Family Affairs (1998-2005)
Talkback Thames / ITV

A director from 1998-2005 on the tightly budgeted and scheduled daily soap. She directed many of the most important episodes. Penny also Series Produced the show in 2001.

Coronation Street
ITV

Over 25 episodes of ITV’s flagship continuing drama series

Grange Hill
BBC

One series of the popular CBBC school drama.

Leaving
BBC Wales

Short devised drama

Machair
STV

Two series (22 episodes) of STV’s Gaelic drama.

Glan Hafran
S4C

30 x 50’ episodes Welsh language drama

Bristol Old Vic Plays
Penderyn/HTV
The Sherman Plays
Penderyn/HTV
Dr Elen
S4C

3 x 50’ episodes

Tu Fewn, Tu Fas
Pontcanna / S4C

3 x 60’ Welsh language dramas

Balance of Power
Pontcanna / S4C

Pontcanna / S4C

Dinas
HTV Wales

40 x 30’ episodes. Welsh language drama