Alastair Duncan

Emmy-winning producer director

Ambitious factual television, clearly told.

I make science and documentary films about complex subjects, remarkable people and places rarely seen.

Contributors framed by a circular light installation

Selected work

Recent producing and directing credits

Hannah Fry in The Infinite Explorer programme artwork

The Infinite Explorer

Producer Director — South Korea

National Geographic / Bloomberg

Cancer Clinic Live programme artwork showing Addenbrooke’s Hospital

Cancer Clinic Live

Senior Producer / Director

Channel 4

Dara Ó Briain standing in front of an erupting volcano

Volcano

Series Director

Channel 5

Hannah Fry in The Secret Genius of Modern Life programme artwork

Secret Genius

Producer / Director

BBC Two

Greta Thunberg seated during an interview

Greta Thunberg

Director

BBC One

Beauty Laid Bare programme artwork

Beauty Laid Bare

Shooting Director

BBC Three

Uniformed guard at a winter memorial during filming for VICE News

Inside Belarus

Filmed & Directed

VICE News

View full credits

About

I develop, write, shoot, direct and edit specialist factual and documentary television. My work ranges from first-series science formats to live broadcasts and international location filming.

I’ve negotiated access with governments, hospitals and technology companies, and worked with leading presenters, academics and contributors to make difficult ideas engaging and human.

Programme recognition

Awards and nominations for productions I worked on.

2025 News & Documentary Emmy

Winner — Outstanding Science and Technology Coverage

The Future with Hannah Fry: Quantum Arms Race

2023 & 2024 RTS Scotland

Winner 2023 · Nominee 2024 — Science and Natural History

The Secret Genius of Modern Life

2015 BAFTA Television Craft Awards

Winner — Digital Creativity

Live from Space: Online

2015 RTS Programme Awards

Winner — Science and Natural History

Live from Space: Lap of the Planet

2016 BAFTA Television Awards

Nominee — Live Event

Stargazing Live: Brit in Space