Harry and Jack Williams on The Missing, Fleabag and The Assassin: The Radio Times Writers’ Room

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Welcome back to The TopMob Writers’ Room!

This week, we’re delighted to have on board Harry and Jack Williams, the masterminds behind Two Brothers Pictures, known for creating some of the most gripping thrillers in the industry.

Initially known for their work in comedy, the Williams brothers shifted gears towards thriller genres, producing the successful show “The Missing” featuring Tchéky Karyo. This series spanned over two seasons before giving birth to a spin-off titled “Baptiste.

Ever since, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing their remarkable work in creating captivating shows like “Rellik,” “One of Us,” “The Tourist,” and “Boat Story” for BBC, as well as gripping productions such as “The Widow,” “Liar,” and “Angela Black” for ITV.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the remarkable productions that Two Brothers Pictures has been involved with. In executive roles, they have graced us with captivating series such as Back to Life, Dinosaur, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s globally acclaimed sensation, Fleabag.

Currently, they’ve returned with a fresh, edge-of-your-seat production titled “The Assassin,” available on Prime Video. In this gripping tale, Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore portray the roles of estranged duo – a mother named Julie and her son, Edward.

At the start of this story, their peaceful family gathering on a Greek island is abruptly disrupted. Unbeknownst to Edward, his mother has a hidden past as a retired assassin, and now, old ghosts are starting to resurface.

During our conversation, the Williams brothers shared insights from their past experience in comedy writing and discussed their strategies for balancing their professional partnership with their sibling bond.

Apart from recounting stories from their past endeavors, they likewise spoke of humorous incidents like the recurring joke during Fleabag production, as well as harsh critiques they initially encountered from Dawn French, which marked the beginning of their professional journey.

In a casual and straightforward manner, “I penned a sitcom for the BBC, and Dawn French was involved. She suggested it needed more humor, to which I replied, ‘I have an idea – this fellow here,’ pointing at Harry.

I enlisted his help, and together we drafted the script. They returned it to us, after which we met, and she offered this piece of wisdom: ‘My suggestion in one word? Avoid collaborating with your sibling in future projects.’

Jack added: “We didn’t let Dawn French or a disappointing first sitcom dissuade us, and we pressed on even when faced with widespread apathy and questions like ‘Why bother?’ So, in a nutshell, I can’t really explain why – but there we are.

Currently, you have the opportunity to view the entire video at the article’s peak, and keep an eye out for future visits to “The TopMob Writers’ Room” in the near future.

In our upcoming conversation, we’ll have the pleasure of speaking with Noah Hawley, renowned for his work on Fargo and Legion. He’ll be sharing insights into his latest project, the Alien franchise’s addition to Disney+, titled Alien: Earth – make sure you tune in!

* The movie “The Assassin” will start streaming on Amazon Prime Video this coming Friday, July 25th.
* If you haven’t already, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial of Prime Video now and watch the movie when it premieres.

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2025-07-25 17:34