UEA welcomes Hugh Bonneville and Amandaland creatives for two exclusive autumn events
By: Communications
Leading film and television talent will be welcomed to Norwich this October, as part of the University of East Anglia’s (UEA) partnership with Norfolk Screen.
From acclaimed actors to celebrated screenwriters, UEA’s partnership with Norfolk Screen continues for another season – bringing leading actors, writers and creative talent to Norwich for a series of public conversations.
Actor and children's author Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington, Notting Hill) will discuss his career on-screen with Prof Steve Waters, Professor of Scriptwriting at UEA, on Monday 12 October.
Later that week (15 October), two of the writers of the British television series Amandaland, Barunka O’Shaughnessy and Helen Serafinowicz, and actor Peter Serafinowicz – a star from its first season – will be in conversation with ITN Arts Editor, Nina Nannar.
Working alongside the official Film Office for the County, UEA’s Public Events and Engagement team have been able to bring a range of high-profile guests to the university campus – including Nick Hornby, Rupert Everett, Sir David Hare and Sir Michael Palin.
Hannah Tough, Public Events and Engagement Manager at UEA, said: “These events are another example of how effective the University's partnerships with external organisations can be. Being able to host Hugh for both a school and public event is a dream, and sure to be a special day for many.
“I am particularly excited about the very special ‘co lab’ event later in the week as a huge fan of the BBC series. It's been in the offing for a while, and the stars have quite literally now aligned.”
Monday 12 October – Hugh Bonneville in Conversation
6.30pm at Lecture Theatre 1, UEA
Actor Hugh Bonneville will discuss his career on the big and little screen with Prof Steve Waters, Professor of Scriptwriting at UEA.
Bonneville is a familiar face to television audiences, with credits ranging from The Vicar of Dibley, Doctor Who, and season two of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series, The Gentlemen.
Well-known for his Golden Globe and Emmy nominated role in Downton Abbey (as Robert, Earl of Grantham) he was also in the BAFTA-winning BBC comedies Twenty Twelve, W1A and Twenty Twenty Six. His notable silver screen appearances include Notting Hill, The Monument’s Men, and the Downton Abbey and Paddington film franchises.
Bonneville has also penned a memoir, Playing Under the Piano, and two children’s books: Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room, and the upcoming Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea.
Ahead of this evening event on 12 October, he will be talking to local schoolchildren about this latest Rory Sparkes publication, alongside fellow children's author Prof Ben Garrod (Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement, and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Civic at UEA).
Thursday 15 October – Inside the writers' room: Motherland and Amandaland
6.30pm at The Enterprise Centre, UEA
Audiences will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of BBC sitcoms Motherland and Amandaland with BAFTA-winning screenwriters Barunka O’Shaughnessy and Helen Serafinowicz.
The pair will share insight into being the creative minds behind the series that speak about the chaos and competitive realities of middle-class parenting and Alpha mums at the school gates.
Hollywood star Peter Serafinowicz (Shaun of the Dead, Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy) will also join the panel, to shed light on his character Johannes – one of the standout characters from season one of Amandaland.
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Discover our award-winning campus, meet current students and staff, and find out what life at UEA is really like at one of our upcoming Undergraduate Open Days:
Saturday 26 September 2026
Saturday 24 October 2026
Saturday 28 November 2026
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