Jim Field Smith is a BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated director, writer and producer, and the co-founder, with George Kay, of the production company Idiotlamp. They are the creators and producers of the Netflix original drama series CRIMINAL and the forthcoming Apple TV+ series HIJACK starring Idris Elba, both of which Jim also directed.
Prior to that he directed and executive produced the mini-series LITVINENKO, a dramatisation of the 2006 assassination of the titular former FSB spy, played by David Tennant) which premiered in December 2022.
at BAFTA, 11 November 2022
Previously Jim directed, executive produced and co-created both seasons of the International Emmy-nominated CRIMINAL for Netflix (with guest stars including David Tennant, Kit Harrington, Sophie Okonedo and Kunal Nayyar). He also directed and executive produced the Amazon Prime series TRUTH SEEKERS, co-created by and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.
Jim co-wrote, produced and directed the BBC series STAG. Prior to that he produced and directed both seasons of THE WRONG MANS for BBC/Hulu, nominated for three BAFTAs and winning an RTS Award. Jim is the originating director and executive producer of DEFENDING THE GUILTY (Big Talk for BBC), and also directed the pilot for the Channel 4 series HOME. His other TV directing credits include ENDEAVOUR (ITV/PBS), WRECKED (TBS) and EPISODES (Showtime/BBC) – the latter of which brought a Golden Globe nomination.
Jim’s film directing credits include the major motion picture SHE’S OUT OF MY LEAGUE for Dreamworks / Paramount, starring Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve, and the satirical comedy BUTTER, starring Jennifer Garner, Hugh Jackman and Olivia Wilde.
Jim started out making short films such as “Goodbye to the Normals”, “Where Have I Been All Your Life?” and “Missing Moscow”.
He has directed numerous award-winning commercials in the UK, US and Europe for clients such as The Grammys, Galaxy, Gerber, Cow & Gate and Heinz.
Writing credits include the aforementioned STAG, co-written with George Kay; he contributed several episodes, co-written with Rufus Jones, to the cult adult puppet show FUR TV for MTV, and also wrote two series of his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom DEEP TROUBLE, which he co-created and performed with Ben Willbond. As an actor, he appeared in several British TV comedy shows, including COUPLING, THE ROBINSONS, MY LIFE IN FILM and SNUFFBOX. Jim wrote and performed with sketch group Dutch Elm Conservatoire, who were nominated for the Perrier Award in 2005 and staged sell-out shows in Edinburgh, the West End and a national tour.
Jim is a member of the DGA, WGA, BAFTA and Directors UK.
Jim Field Smith 