Hot Shots 2022: Abigail Dankwa

Former model booker and photographer’s agent Abigail Dankwa came to TV via broadcast management, joining the Community Channel (now Together TV), where she rose to managing director in four years.

After completing a Producing and Directing Entertainment MA at the National Film and Television School, she has clocked up a huge number of credits on studio entertainment shows, docs and fact-ent series.

Dankwa put herself on the map as studio director on two key planks of C4’s Black to Front day of programmes, easily slotting in to the first – a special edition of Countdown hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald. But it was another first – her live directorial debut – that really impressed.

On the revived The Big Breakfast, which kicked off the day’s schedule, Dankwa was “a driving force behind all aspects of the creative - and, despite never having directed a live show before, she surpassed all of my expectations,” says Lifted Entertainment creative director (north) Lee McNicholas, who describes her as “a creative visionary and a breath of fresh air”.

When Big Breakfast scored a weekend summer run this year, after scooping Edinburgh and RTS Awards, Dankwa was the clear choice for series director.

Other studio shows bearing her imprint include ITV’s Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club, It’s Clarkson On TV and Lingo, while she has also directed the gallery for both Big Brother and C4’s 24 Hours In A&E.

Meanwhile, her stock has risen as series director of both C4’s Grierson-nominated Grayson’s Art Club and Sky’s Bafta-winning innovative spoken-word format Life And Rhymes.