In conversation: The Last of Us, GoT, and Succession Director Mark Mylod
By MetFilm School
24 April 2025
Our MA Directing students were lucky enough to attend a virtual masterclass with Emmy Award-winning TV director and executive producer, Mark Mylod. Students gained behind-the-scenes insights on some of his most high-profile productions, including The Last of Us, Succession, and Game Of Thrones.
Mark has worked in the US TV industry for over 25 years, and his TV credits include The Royle Family, Entourage, Shameless, Game of Thrones, and Succession. His most recent achievement is the latest episode of The Last of Us, which included a spectacular battle scene reminiscent of Game of Thrones.
Broadcasting live from Brooklyn, New York, Mark answered questions from our students on a variety of subjects, such as his directing process, working on location, and his stand out moments from working in TV.
How do you go about building tension in a scene?
For me, everything comes from performance and working with the actors – in the script, in rehearsal, and in the playing.
It’s about identifying the heart of the conflict, and what’s being hidden. What’s the character holding back? What is left unsaid? What are the pressures in the scene that might force that information to come out?
Ultimately, it tends to come down to two people who want different things – or one knows something the other doesn’t. You identify that and make sure the audience can feel it. And if you can’t, then you look at the pacing, you look at the nuance of the performance, you look at the camera… all of it.
What is it about Succession that makes it stand out?
Ultimately, it’s the quality of the writing, isn’t it? In that it’s so vivid. There’s always an alchemy – like trapping lightning in a bottle.
The timing was very good, coming into the Trump era in the States, and in the UK as well. It’s a potent combination of family drama that’s part high-end soap, part comedy, part King Lear. Plus, it’s got that nice satirical bite.
Until that point, satire was very out of fashion. So there was an element of it that felt really fresh. But really, it’s just a great script that attracted great talent. One of the unsung heroes of Succession is Francine Maisler, the original casting director.
What’s your advice for aspiring directors trying to break into the industry?
My advice to any director is to make yourself indispensable. Keep making things until it’s undeniable. Do commercials, do music videos, do short films – refine your voice as a director so your uniqueness catches someone’s eye.
Can you tell us a bit about how you got started, and what lessons you learned along the way?
[Laughs] There were a few failed attempts at sacking me, I’ll say that much. But honestly, I learned more from the failures than anything else. They built character.
You’ve got to take the hits and keep moving. That’s part of the job. It’s not supposed to be easy.
Finally, what are your top tips for anyone who wants to make a living as a director?
Always be bold. And always be prepared to work your a**e off.
Ready to take the lead?
At MetFilm School, our MA Directing course gives aspiring directors the tools, insight, and experience to tell powerful stories — and bring them to life from script to screen.
Students will develop a strong creative voice while learning practical skills in working with actors, visual storytelling, script development, and production management. Through hands-on workshops, industry masterclasses, and collaborative shoots, you’ll direct your own projects while building a network across disciplines — all under the guidance of working professionals.
Apply now to study MA Directing in Berlin, Leeds, or London and step confidently into your future in the screen industries.
