Meet Stephen Nicholas

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Stephen is an experienced Production Designer with thirty year’s experience in Film and Television. 

Stephen has always been a creative individual with a keen eye for design. After completing college, progressing from Advanced Craft to a Higher National Certificate in Building Studies, he decided it was time to step into the creative industries.

In 1996, an opportunity to build sets for Welsh television programmes for S4C became the starting point of his career in film and television.

Driven by determination and focus, Stephen knew this was the career path he wanted to follow. By working through each role and learning as he progressed, he gained a broad understanding of the skills, workloads, and materials involved in set design and construction.

Stephen’s recent Production Designer credits include Boarders 3 (BBC comedy drama), Boarders 2 (BBC comedy drama), Crongton(brand new BBC comedy drama), Boarders (brand new BBC drama), Galwad(Sky Arts drama), Plebs: Soldiers of Rome (feature special for ITV), A Million Days (feature film), The Trick (conspiracy thriller for the BBC), Fflam (thriller for S4C), Keeping Faith III (drama series for the BBC), Cyswllt (lockdown drama series for S4C, shot during the 2020 pandemic), The Tuckers (comedy drama for the BBC), Concrete Plans (feature film), and The Murder of Jill Dando (BBC drama documentary).

Stephen’s Supervising Art Director credits include Northanger Abbey (motion picture), over ninety episodes of Doctor Who, nineteen episodes of Torchwood, the pilot episode of Sherlock, several episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures, and numerous international feature films shot across multiple countries.

Stephen is highly experienced in budgeting, scheduling, and crewing, with a proven track record of leading large art department and construction teams on complex productions. He regularly manages and collaborates with external partners, including action vehicle companies, armourers, and SFX teams.

Equally comfortable working on location or within studio environments, Stephen has extensive experience partnering with CGI and visual effects teams to deliver ambitious, large-scale sets that meet both creative and technical demands. Stephen has worked internationally throughout his career, with projects taking him to Bulgaria, the Isle of Man, South Africa, Dubai, Romania, and Croatia.

A passionate and versatile designer, Stephen works across a wide range of genres including fantasy, comedy, contemporary, and science fiction, as well as light entertainment and documentary productions. He is committed to giving one hundred percent to every project, consistently delivering the highest standards with meticulous attention to detail, regardless of budget.

Alongside his work in film and television, Stephen has designed sets for numerous nationwide events while studio managing for the BBC. A verified trainer and mentor, he remains actively involved in supporting apprentices and trainee schemes through ongoing development programmes.

With three decades of experience in film, television, and live events, Stephen combines creative vision with practical expertise, delivering high-quality, memorable sets across every genre and format. His commitment to excellence, collaborative approach, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of designers make him a respected and trusted figure in the industry. Whether leading complex productions, working with cutting-edge visual effects, or nurturing emerging talent, Stephen continues to shape the world of production design with creativity, skill, and unwavering passion.