After Essex: In Conversation with David Yates

After Essex celebrates the journeys and accomplishments of our diverse and inspiring alumni around the globe.

Graduate and world-famous director David Yates (BA Government, 1987; Honorary Doctorate, 2012) joins us to share his remarkable journey from Essex politics student to BAFTA award-winning filmmaker.

David is best known for directing the last four films in the Harry Potter franchise where he brought the wizarding world of Hogwarts to life. After the Harry Potter series, David went on to direct the Fantastic Beasts films where he worked alongside Jude Law and Eddie Redmayne.

Throughout his career he has won numerous BAFTA and Academy awards, but perhaps most impressively was responsible for the record-breaking success of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 which brought the series to its epic conclusion and remains the highest-grossing film ever released by Warner Bros.

In conversation with Bryn Morris, Registrar and Secretary, David shares his fascinating insights into the film industry and chats about his journey from Essex to critically-acclaimed director.