Our Team
Paul Donovan
Co-Founder
Paul co-founded Deadpan Pictures to focus on producing drama with humour – smart, character-driven stories with a bone dry wit. His role is to ensure that Deadpan is the best it can be at what it does best. Having surrounded himself and Ailish with a top quality team of writers and in-house development and production talent Paul’s main job now is to stay out of their way. With 30 years experience (some good, some just experiences) Paul has a wide network of international contacts he can bring projects to.
Ailish McElmeel
Co-Founder
Ailish co-founded Deadpan Pictures to bring comic Irish talent to the international stage. Ailish is drawn to drama with something socially relevant to say, and it must be said with humour and heart. Having found her niche in producing darkly comic female-led drama (Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope) she’s relieved to have finally made a darkly comic male-led drama (Northern Lights). With an ace team of writers and in-house personnel now assembled, Ailish core remit, alongside Paul, is to steer the wider Deadpan team to success.
Our Partners
Trisha Flood
Production Executive
Before becoming Production Executive at Deadpan Pictures, Trisha had been a Freelance Producer and a Line Producer for over ten years, working on numerous feature and short films as well as commercials and educational videos. She is now happily working 9-5, and sitting at an actual desk.
Eleanor White
Development Executive
Eleanor’s background is in theatre, where she’s worked on plays that explored everything from mechanophilia and mental health to trauma and crocodiles. She is thrilled to be developing television and is particularly passionate about stories that blend heart, humour, the weird and the authentic.
Meg Smyth
Office Manager
Meg began her career in office administration, where she developed her knack for organisation and problem-solving. Driven by her love for creativity and connection, she spent many years thriving in the fast-paced world of event management, orchestrating everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events. Now, as Office Manager at Deadpan, Meg has found her perfect fit—a role that lets her blend her expertise with her love for a challenge, all while keeping the team running like clockwork.
Ellen Goodhart
Production Assistant
Ellen is our production assistant here at Deadpan. With years of experience as a PA, she’s always ready to lend a hand. A lifelong film and TV enthusiast, Ellen believes that production is a team sport—so she's here to cheer us on, and ensure we cross the finish line without tripping over our own feet!