Stephen Nicholas Production Designer
FILM - TELEVISION - HIGH-END DRAMA
30 years creating worlds for film and television
STEPHEN SHEARMAN
Show Runner / Director - Ultimate Viking
"I worked with Stephen on an ambitious project. Our goal was to build a replica of a Viking settlement on a remote island in northern Norway. In winter! Stephen rose to the challenge magnificently - his approach was creative, friendly and inclusive - His illustrations and designs were clear and concise and we worked very well together tweaking the set design. I can't wait 'til we can work together again!"
Concept - Simon Phillips
CURRENTLY BROADCASTING
'BURIED with Michael Sheen' - Factual series 2026
I've just finished designing the set for Buried, a brand-new two-part factual series starring Michael Sheen. Commissioned by BBC Factual and BBC Cymru Wales and produced in partnership with the Open University, the series follows Michael as he investigates claims of chemical contamination in South Wales, close to where he grew up.
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR MORE DETAILS
YOU CAN NOW WATCH THE TWO PART SERIES BY CLICKING HERE
CURRENT PROJECTS
'Tottenham Rules' currently in prep
'Chasing a Dream' currently in early prep
'Chasing a Dream' currently in early prep
'Chasing a Dream' currently in early prep
'Chasing a Dream' currently in early prep
'Chasing a Dream' currently in early prep
'they crave' currently in development
'Chasing a Dream' currently in early prep
'they crave' currently in development
SELECTED WORK - CLICK IMAGE FOR DETAILS
'Boarders' series 3
'Crongton' BAFTA AWARD WINNER 2026
'Boarders' series 3
'Boarders' series 2
'Crongton' BAFTA AWARD WINNER 2026
'Boarders' series 3
'Crongton' BAFTA AWARD WINNER 2026
'Crongton' BAFTA AWARD WINNER 2026
'BOARDERS' series 1
'PLEBS SOLDIERS OF ROME'
'GALWAD'
'A MILLION DAYS'
'A MILLION DAYS'
'THE TRICK'
'A MILLION DAYS'
'FFLAM'
'KEEPING FAITH'
'CONCRETE PLANS'
'THE TUCKERS'
'CONCRETE PLANS'
'CONCRETE PLANS'
'CONCRETE PLANS'
'CONCRETE PLANS'
'CONCRETE PLANS'
TESTIMONIALS
ETHOSHEIA HYLTON
Director
Boarders series 1 & Crongton
“Stephen is an absolute joy to work with! He is an incredibly creative, professional, and highly skilled Production Designer. We've worked together on several projects, including Boarders and Crongton, and our creative visions have always aligned. Whatever I imagine, Stephen goes above and beyond. I can't recommend him highly enough.”
ALISON MACPHAIL
Producer
Boarders series 1,2,3
“Stephen worked on all 3 series of Boarders and was a very dedicated, enthusiastic and creative designer who worked with the best interests of the production at the forefront of his mind. He was passionate about the show and brought the world of St Gilbert’s brilliantly to life. For our big set
ALISON MACPHAIL
Producer
Boarders series 1,2,3
“Stephen worked on all 3 series of Boarders and was a very dedicated, enthusiastic and creative designer who worked with the best interests of the production at the forefront of his mind. He was passionate about the show and brought the world of St Gilbert’s brilliantly to life. For our big set pieces, Stephen always went above and beyond - from Robot Wars in S1 to the secret crypt in S2 and a fantastic graduation send off in S3. Despite sometimes having last minute changes to the scripts or schedule to deal with, he was adaptable and good humoured.”
SATYA BHABHA
Director
Boarders series 3
“Stephen was a phenomenal collaborator on this show. His astute attention to detail combined with his boundless imagination and sense of fun made both the process, and the design itself, immensely pleasurable.”
Doctor Who
“It was an honour and a privilege to have had the opportunity to work alongside Russell T Davies on one of the most iconic series the BBC has ever produced.”
— Stephen Nicholas
Supervising Art Director
Stephen began working on Doctor Who in 2004, serving as Supervising Art Director on more than 90 episodes of the award-winning programme over six series. During this time, he had the honour of working with three different Doctors, while also contributing to the two spin-off series, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
the Tardis set
Stephen has had the privilege of building two TARDIS sets — one for Christopher Eccleston and another for Matt Smith. He also had the unusual task of moving the first set to a second studio complex during a break between series.
Impossible Worlds Book
While working on the programme, he was inspired to create a book showcasing the work of some of the country’s most talented designers, bringing together their concepts and sketches from the 90 episodes spanning six series on which he served as Supervising Art Director.