Agent
Assistant
Biography
Michael Keillor is a director known for bringing clarity of vision and emotional resonance to complex narratives and characters, always searching for the human truth within the stories that define our times. Drawn to bold and ambitious projects, Michael has worked with writers as varied as Jack Thorne, Lucy Kirkwood, David Hare, Peter Moffat, Andrew Davies and Jed Mercurio, resulting in a diverse body of work at the forefront of contemporary British TV drama.
In recent years, Michael has focused on high-end series examining individuals under pressure within complex systems of power: CHIMERICA, an adaptation of Lucy Kirkwood’s Olivier Award-winning play, with Alessandro Nivola navigating modern American geopolitics against the backdrop of the Tiananmen Square massacre; ROADKILL, David Hare’s propulsive portrait of a populist politician starring Hugh Laurie; and Jack Thorne’s Bafta-nominated BEST INTERESTS, a devastating exploration of family, ethics and state intervention, featuring Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen as parents confronting the most impossible of decisions.
Politically engaged and driven by a deeply human approach to storytelling, Michael’s work often centres on injustice – seeking out stories that interrogate power, accountability and the human cost of systemic failure. His most recent project, THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103, is a meticulously constructed account of the decade‑long pursuit of justice following the 1988 terrorist attack over Lockerbie. Combining large‑scale storytelling with intimate personal accounts, this limited drama launches worldwide on Netflix later this year.
Michael’s earlier work spans some of Britain’s most enduring series, including Shameless, Mr Selfridge and Silk, before going on to direct the award-winning third season of LINE OF DUTY and launching the much-loved BBC One detective series STRIKE. Alongside his directing work, Michael writes and develops long-form projects with the same energy, originality and drive that define his filmmaking.
Michael is represented in the US by attorney Michael Schenkman.
REVIEWS
THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103
“A superior telling of the story – poignant and fascinating in equal measure.”
– Rachel Cooke, New Statesman
“A police procedural, then, but also a tribute to the Lockerbie community and the care its residents showed towards the victims.”
– Anita Singh, Daily Telegraph
BEST INTERESTS
★★★★★ The Times
★★★★★ Daily Mail
★★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★ The Telegraph
★★★★ Financial Times
★★★★ Independent
★★★★ Radio Times
“Scriptwriter Jack Thorne’s stellar reputation… a conclusion that will hit you hard in the gut. Stunning.”
– Ben Dowell, The Times
“One of the best (although not jolliest) TV dramas of the year.”
– James Walton, The Spectator
ROADKILL
– Lucy Mangan, The Guardian
CHIMERICA
– Lucy Mangan, The Guardian
STRIKE: THE CUCKOO’S CALLING.
– Matt Baylis, The Express
LINE OF DUTY
– Sam Wollaston, The Guardian
Credits
Television
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
THE BOMBING OF PAN AM 103 2025 |
World Productions / BBC / Netflix |
Director & Exec Prod Writer: Jonathan Lee |
|
BEST INTERESTS 2023 |
AC Chapter One / BBC |
Director & Exec Prod *BAFTA Limited Series – 2024 |
|
ROADKILL 2020 |
The Forge / BBC 1 / PBS |
Director & Exec Prod |
|
CHIMERICA 2019 |
Playground / Channel 4 |
Director |
|
STRIKE: THE CUCKOO'S CALLING 2017 |
Bronte Film & TV / BBC / HBO |
Lead Director 3 x 60’ inc. Series Pilot Producer: Jackie Larkin |
|
LINE OF DUTY III 2015 |
World Productions / BBC |
Lead Director *Highest Rating BBC 2 Drama since modern ratings began *BAFTA Scotland Best Director – 2016 Nomination *Broadcast Best Drama Series – 2017 Nomination *RTS Best Drama Series – 2017 Nomination *RTS Best Writer (Drama) – 2017 Nomination (Jed Mercurio) |
|
CRITICAL 2014 |
Hat Trick / Sky |
Director |
|
SILK III 2013 |
BBC |
Director |
|
MR SELFRIDGE 2012 |
ITV Studios |
Director |
|
YOUNG JAMES HERRIOT 2011 |
KoCo Media / BBC |
Director *BAFTA Scotland Best Actor – 2012 Nominee (Iain De Caestecker) |
|
SHAMELESS VIII 2011 |
Company Pictures / Channel 4 |
Director |
|
HOLBY CITY 2011 |
BBC 1 |
Director |
|
EASTENDERS: E20 2010 |
BBC 3 |
Director * Rose D’Or Nominee, 2010 |
|
THE BILL 2009 |
ITV 1 |
Director |
|
EASTENDERS 2008 |
BBC 1 |
Director |
|
DOCTORS 2007 |
BBC 1 |
Director |
|
DREAM TEAM 2006 |
Sky |
Director |
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TIGHTROPE | STV Drama / BBC |
Exec Prod: Sarah Brown |
| TOO FAR NORTH | Wild Mercury / BBC |
Executive Prod: Derek Wax |
Short Films
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
LIAM & LENKA 2014 |
Warp Films / BFI |
Writer & Director Producer: Ally Gipps |
|
MUNRO 2010 |
Scottish Screen / BBC / Lighthouse Arts |
Writer & Director Producer: Pete Thornton |
|
LABOUR 2009 |
UK Film Council / Scottish Screen / Digicult |
Director Producer: Pete Thornton Writer: Kenny Macleod |
|
HAPPY SLAPZ 2006 |
Coming Up 2005 / Channel 4 |
Writer & Director Producer: Clive Brill |
