Lucy Lumsden

Lucy Lumsden is currently rocking the comedy industry boat like a kid with a new toy – and that toy happens to be a satellite broadcaster.

Ever since she was named as Sky’s first head of comedy in 2009, Lumsden has been on a mission to seek out the best new comedy and make inroads into both the BBC and Channel 4’s artistic monopoly.

Lumsden has an impeccable record when it comes to working with new comedy shows. Starting off as a production secretary in 1992 working at Comic Strip, Lumsden went on to help with script development at Red Rooster Films, and Big Talk Productions. Lumsden moved to the BBC in 2001 and by 2005 found herself in the position of comedy commissioner for BBC 1, 2, 3 and 4.

During her 11 years at the BBC she commissioned Gavin & Stacey, The Catherine Tate Show, as well as working on The Mighty Boosh, Outnumbered, The Thick Of It, That Mitchell & Webb Look and even Look Around You.

So far at Sky she hasn’t disappointed, with Alan Partridge snapped up for a new series as well as another Steve Coogan comedy, Starlings. Lumsden has also delivered ‘Little Crackers, which starred Victoria Wood, Dawn French, Julia Davis, Stephen Fry and Bill Bailey.

Not everything has been a hit, and This Is Jinsy fared badly, but that’s to be expected when building an entirely new comedy platform for a new audience.