Team Deakins MARTIN CAMPBELL - Director
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Feb 25, 2026 Martin Campbell, celebrated director of GoldenEye and Casino Royale, shares career-defining stories from his New Zealand roots to BBC drama and Hollywood. He discusses making Edge of Darkness with rare BBC freedom. He explains shaping GoldenEye and grounding Casino Royale in realism. He also talks about casting choices, shooting methods, and navigating studio notes.
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From New Zealand To Trainee TV Cameraman
- Martin Campbell left New Zealand with no job to become a TV cameraman in England after being told it was impossible at home.
- He applied to a trainee TV cameraman role with 1,400 applicants and was one of four chosen, which launched his TV career including 51 Tom Jones shows.
Learning Where The Money Goes By Producing
- Martin moved from low-budget sex comedies to producing and line-producing to learn where film money went.
- Producing Black Joy and line producing Scum taught him budgeting and production mechanics that helped his directing later.
Making Edge Of Darkness With Half The Scripts
- Edge of Darkness began with only two scripts and Martin often didn't know the ending while shooting.
- The BBC gave him casting freedom and creative space, so he cast Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker and shot across the UK with minimal interference.