Emily Ryder

Head of Development

Emily joined True North in August 2025, after a 15 year stint at London production companies. Starting her career as a runner in the BBC Entertainment department, she has since enjoyed an extensive career in development, working for format powerhouses including BBC Studios, Lion TV, Viacom and – most recently – Twofour. She’s worked across the whole unscripted spectrum, and specialises in factual entertainment, reality, popular factual and documentary.

When did you join True North?

I’m a newbie True Norther, having headed north of the Watford Gap this summer. So far it’s living up to its reputation as one of the nicest places to work in TV!

What other shows are particularly proud of that you have worked on at True North and elsewhere? 

Helping to secure the tenders for Destination X (BBC) and The Box (ITV) were recent highpoints, as was developing upcoming new reality-cooking hybrid The Heat (ITV2). Earlier in my career, developing a doc where Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders trotted around France drinking champagne was… fabulous.

Anything that stands out about your career?

I spent the first few years of my career working at BBC Television Centre. There was nothing quite like working on big nights like Comic Relief or Children in Need, where you’d find yourself dancing round the donut with a tipsy Ronnie Corbett, as Peter Kay walked past with Bernie Clifton on his ostrich.

If you could work on any show what would it be and why?

I should probably say something that makes me look highbrow but in reality it would probably be something like Below Deck – a near perfect show in my opinion.

Anything you feel really strongly about in the industry – what is there too much of / not enough of / barriers to be broken / types of show to be made.

I’ve seen too many talented women forced to leave the industry or take a huge step back in their roles after becoming mums. I think it’s a real loss of experience and creativity, and the industry as a whole needs to build more flexibility into the way we work to keep that talent in the room.

Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? 

I think I’m a super recogniser, and if I were to leave the TV industry, you’d better believe I’d be offering up my services to West Yorkshire police.