Sam McAlister

Sam McAlister is a BAFTA and Emmy-nominated journalist, author and negotiation expert, best known for securing the Prince Andrew interview and advising on high-stakes communication and reputation.

Sam McAlister is a BAFTA and Emmy-nominated executive producer, speaker and author, best known for securing and producing some of the most high-profile and challenging interviews in recent broadcast history. With over a decade at the BBC’s flagship current affairs programme Newsnight, Sam has negotiated with CEOs, world leaders, royalty and celebrities – including Buckingham Palace, The White House, Tesla, and Facebook.

Her most renowned work includes the headline-making interview with HRH Prince Andrew, alongside other exclusives with figures such as Sheryl Sandberg, Justin Trudeau, Bill Clinton, Elon Musk, Julian Assange and Stormy Daniels. Her ability to navigate sensitive negotiations and secure complex interviews under pressure has earned her a strong reputation in media and beyond.

A trained criminal barrister, Sam’s career has always centred on negotiation, communication and strategy. These skills have since led her to new roles beyond the newsroom. She now teaches negotiation at the London School of Economics as a Visiting Senior Fellow, and serves as an Associate at the global reputation advisory firm Panterra, working with clients on reputation and crisis communications.

Her book Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews became an Amazon bestseller and has been widely praised for its insight into journalism and decision-making under pressure. It was adapted for screen as Scoop — a Netflix drama released in 2024, where Sam was portrayed by Billie Piper alongside Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell. Sam served as Executive Producer on the film, which was nominated for both BAFTA and Emmy awards and viewed over 25 million times.

Alongside her professional work, Sam is an ambassador for Careers Office, a social mobility charity that supports young people from underrepresented backgrounds to access careers and training opportunities.