Writer on acclaimed TV drama

Screenwriter returns home and reveals how her own family’s experience of dementia helped shape acclaimed drama

The bright lights of London have attracted many people over the years seeking fame and fortune but Andrea Gibb is reversing the trend. For the actor, now regarded as one of Britain’s finest screenwriters, is returning home.

Her decision comes as her last major drama movie, Elizabeth Is Missing, starring Glenda Jackson and telling the story of an elderly woman’s battle with dementia, is gaining worldwide recognition and award nominations.

Explaining her decision to move back, Andrea revealed how she reassessed her life after the death of her partner, journalist Simon Ricketts, adding: “I had a complete rethink on where my life was going and what I wanted to achieve.

“After a lot of soul-searching I decided I wanted to come back to Scotland, especially as there are more opportunities opening up for me here now. It is an exciting time in the television industry and I want to be a part of it.

“When Simon was still here we came up to Edinburgh a lot as we loved exploring the city and we could do our own thing. But, at the end of the day, I am from the west of Scotland and that is where I have now decided to live.

“It is all very exciting for me as I have never bought a house before, so it has been an enormous learning curve, even at my age... and, no, I will not tell you how old I am!” laughed Andrea.

Previously the scriptwriter had been critical over the absence of opportunities for her skills north of the border, blaming lack of investment and vision by some of the major television channels.

Now the pendulum has swung – or, at least, it had before lockdown – with increased funding being ploughed into various projects including films, short films and even TV drama series such as The Nest and Deadwater Fell.

Andrea said: “We have amazing talent in Scotland, from directors, casting directors, production staff… it is all here just waiting to show what they have to offer. Now they are being given that chance as more funding is being made available.

“Scotland is definitely punching above its weight and this is being shown time after time with the quality of the shows being offered and taken up by the television channels down south and across the world. It is wonderful that we are leading the field.”

Andrea is missing out on a trip to Canada due to the travel restrictions, having been nominated in the Banff Television Festival for Elizabeth Is Missing. The film, first shown late last year, is also in the running for two prestigious RTS Awards.

Directed by Aisling Walsh, it was adapted for television by Andrea, who revealed she used her own personal experience from dealing with her father and grandfather, who both suffered from the disease.

Andrea explained: “When this opportunity came along it was literally heaven sent. I remember the struggles and pain this horrible disease causes especially as my father and grandfather suffered from dementia. It is frightening to watch someone suffer and not be able to properly help them.

“When I am writing I try to think who the actor will be to play the role and try to work the character around them. I asked Aisling who she wanted to star as Maud and she immediately said Glenda Jackson.

“The next thing I knew she was on a plane to America as Glenda was starring in Broadway at the time. They met up and the whole thing was agreed almost immediately.”

Andrea, who is moving to the south side of Glasgow, added: “I honestly felt very privileged to be part of the film and honoured that I was chosen to do the adaptation from the book by Emma Healey. And knowing my father and grandfather had both suffered, it helped me somehow by being able to add some personal touches as well.”

Born and raised in Greenock, Andrea had always dreamed of being an actor.

“I was an appalling show-off as a youngster, I suppose,” she said. “I came from a working-class family and, although we went to the cinema quite often, I had never been to a theatre or anything like that.

“My father, who was an electrical engineer, indulged me, possibly thinking I would grow out of it. On this occasion he was wrong, although he did encourage me to have another skill to fall back on