In Episode 31 of Wit + Grit, we are joined by BBC comedy writer James Cary - the man behind episodes of Miranda, Citizen Khan, My Family and Bluestone 42.

But this conversation goes well beyond sitcoms.

James opens up about the constant rejection that comes with writing, even when you’re “successful”, what working in comedy has taught him about teams, why authenticity matters more than trying to be funny, and how character often counts for more than qualifications.

There’s also brilliant insight on leadership, AI, creativity, criticism, resilience, and why young people need to get better at looking people in the eye.

Funny, thoughtful and surprisingly practical, this is a conversation about writing, work, identity and the grit it takes to keep showing up.

Key takeaways

Rejection never really stops.

Failure is not just possible - it’s essential.

You want to find out what doesn’t work early, not when it’s too late.

Be interested in the thing, not yourself.

Your limitations can become your strengths.

Humour is high risk, but authenticity isn’t.

Teams work best when people care about different things.

Different motivations can be a strength, not a weakness.

AI is a tool, not a brain.

Character matters more than credentials.

Keywords

James Cary, BBC comedy writer, Miranda writer, Citizen Khan writer, My Family, Bluestone 42, sitcom writing, rejection, resilience, humour, leadership, teams, authenticity, AI and creativity, storytelling, critical thinking, character, human skills, communication, writing career, comedy writer podcast, Wit and Grit podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to James Carey

00:48 The Journey into Comedy Writing

02:16 Pathways into Comedy and Early Experiences

04:36 The Role of Management Consultants in Comedy

07:10 The Intersection of Theology and Comedy

10:03 The Stand-Up Theologian

10:35 Writing and Team Dynamics in Comedy

13:10 Problem Solving on Set

15:57 Navigating Egos in the Creative Process

19:59 The Importance of Writing in Today's World

21:21 The Impact of Literature on Young Minds

22:48 The Challenges of Writing and Education

25:15 Embracing Failure in Creative Pursuits

28:20 The Role of Humor in Leadership

32:57 Navigating AI in Creative Processes

35:58 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

38:47 Character Over Qualifications in Success