Death by Lightning (Netflix) Design Breakdown — Gemma Jackson + Hannah Gawthorpe (Production Design & Set Decoration)

I’ve got a real one for ya. On this episode of Decorating Pages, I’m talking Death by Lightning (Netflix) with Production Designer Gemma Jackson (Emmy winner, Oscar nominee) and Set Decorator Hannah Gawthorpe — and this is a masterclass in period production design and set decoration. 

They built 1880s America — New York, Chicago, Washington, Ohio, and the White House — entirely in Budapest, and we get into how they differentiated every world through layout, wallpaper, practical lighting, and dressing choices. Plus: chandeliers, flags, graphics research, and the kind of logistics that only the art department could love.

If you love behind-the-scenes craft, historical details, and design choices that actually tell story, this one’s for you.

👉 Get the FREE Quick Reference Set Decorating Template: www.decoratingpagespodcast.com

Discover the Art of TV & Film Design with Decorating Pages Podcast

Hosted by Emmy-winning Set Decorator Kim Wannop, this podcast takes you behind the scenes of your favorite shows and movies. Each episode features in-depth conversations with the industry’s top production designers, set decorators, prop masters, and art department professionals, offering rare insight into the creative process of visual storytelling.

Whether you’re a film and TV fan, aspiring designer, or entertainment industry pro, Decorating Pages Podcast is your backstage pass to the world of production design. Learn how sets are built, stories are shaped visually, and characters come to life—one episode at a time.

🔔 Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio so you never miss an episode.

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🎬 Explore More from Decorating PagesLove the behind-the-scenes world of TV + film design? Check out these exclusive resources curated by Kim Wannop, Emmy-winning Set Decorator and host of Decorating Pages Podcast:

🎓 Learn Set DecoratingTake my Set Decorating Masterclass—15 audio lessons packed with insider tips for breaking into the film & TV industry. Includes FREE Quick Reference Template. Start here: https://www.decoratingpagespodcast.com/masterclass