Judy Wilson (52) is production manager of Alleycats TV, a Derry-based company that produces films for The One Show and is currently working on two big projects for BBC Three.
::How do you unwind at the weekend?
At the moment it depends on whether I'm working on our two big series: The Big Proud Party Agency, about three LGBTQ party planners who put on a party for the week's lucky winner, and The Fast and the Farmer(ish), a UK-wide competition involving farmers and tractor challenges.
Weekends off are very special. I would bake a lot: scones, muffins, shortbread with flavours like lemon drizzle, white choc chip and raspberry is really nice.
Last weekend I baked choc chip muffins with my granddaughter Annie who is two. She put the bun cases in the tray and licked the bowl.
::What do you recall most about weekends growing up?
I'm originally from Tyrone from a village outside Coalisland. It was semi-rural, a mile outside the town. There were seven of us, four close in age. I and three friends from the row of houses opposite would put on performances choreographed by my sister. On Saturday morning we would go to the GAA club which had a disco, nearly always involving an Abba track. My favourite would be Mamma Mia! although I also like Dancing Queen. To this day, when I'm cleaning the house I always listen to Abba Gold.
::Friday night or Saturday night?
I'm a Saturday night girl. If I have been working in Derry or Belfast, Friday night is when I cook a simple meal, say spaghetti carbonara. I do it the Italian way, using egg and bacon and no cream. My husband works in research and we love Saturdays. We have three grown-up children who are not creatives, and now two grandchildren.
::Have you a must-listen weekend radio show or podcast?
I listen to Downtown Radio. And I love a podcast featuring Eddie Izzard, I've been a fan of hers for years and have been to several of her stage shows. I admire the way she's carried off that look and transition and achieved all that philanthropic work, including the marathons.
::Have you a must-watch TV show or box set?
Depends what's on, but I have been watching Baptiste and The Good Doctor on Sky Atlantic. We didn't watch Line of Duty from the start but have been catching up.
::Have you a favourite eatery or is it a takeaway?
We like a restaurant in Magherafelt, Church Street. Probably our favourite takeaway is Solo Pizzeria in Magherafelt which does a lovely veggie pizza.
::Is Sunday still special?
I regularly need to work on Sunday and a couple of weeks ago was filming Fast and Farmer(ish) in Ballymoney with nearly 40 crew. If I'm off, I have people round for a meal and recently had my parents-in-law, my brother and sister-in-law with their two daughters – we like to entertain.
::How do you feel on Sunday night about Monday morning?
I like the sense, if I haven't been working, of a new challenge. To be honest, I'm lucky as I enjoy my work so much. And I am really proud of the two flagship shows Alleycats TV (alleycatstv.com) is working on now.
Jane Hardy
