Sam McAlister explained

Samantha McAlister is an English former TV producer and author, best known for securing an interview with Prince Andrew for BBC Newsnight's programme, Prince Andrew & the Epstein Scandal.

Since the interview gained worldwide attention, McAlister has written an autobiographical book, titled Scoops.^[1] Her story of the Prince Andrew interview was turned into a 2024 feature film, Scoop, in which McAlister was portrayed by Billie Piper.^{[2] [3]}

Early life and education

McAlister was born in Guildford. She was the first in her family to attend university,^[4] graduating from the University of Edinburgh and then studying the law conversion course at City University. ^[5]

Career

McAlister is a trained criminal barrister.^[6] She spent ten years working as a Producer on the BBC Newsnight programme, before taking voluntary redundancy in 2021.^[7] By 2024 she was working as a Visiting Senior Fellow in the law school of the London School of Economics.^[8]

Personal life

McAlister is a single parent.^[4]

References

1. News: McTaggart . India . 4 May 2023 . BBC producer wrote Prince Andrew book to ensure she was written into The Crown . en-GB . The Telegraph . 7 May 2023 . 0307-1235.
2. News: 14 July 2022 . Prince Andrew: BBC's Newsnight interview to be turned into a film . en-GB . BBC News . 7 May 2023.
3. Web site: The Sam McAlister Edition . 7 May 2023 . The Spectator . 5 May 2023 . en-US.
4. Web site: Sam McAlister . 7 May 2023 . Town & Country . en-US.
5. Web site: How to avoid a media disaster and get noticed for the right reasons . Jack Grove . 8 June 2023. . 6 April 2024.
6. Web site: McMillan . Kate . 24 July 2022 . How to Land the Interview of the Year with Sam McAlister . 7 May 2023 . Women In Journalism.
7. Web site: Kersley . Andrew . 22 July 2022 . Ex-Newsnight producer Sam McAlister on booking Prince Andrew and BBC's 'fatal' class problem . 7 May 2023 . Press Gazette.
8. Web site: Sam McAlister . London School of Economics and Political Science . 6 April 2024.