Emmy-winning producer among 11 recognised with University of Sheffield honorary degrees

Emmy-winning producer and playwright Lucy Pebble has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Sheffield, alongside 10 others.

Lucy originally graduated from the university with a BA in English literature in 2002 and later went onto receive a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014. 

Alongside over 5,000 students from across the university receiving their degrees this week, she was awarded a Doctor of Letters at the graduation ceremony on Monday 21st July. 

Lucy Prebble following the ceremony via University of Sheffield

Accepting her degree, she said: “I am honoured and delighted to be recognised in this way. My heart was forged in Sheffield. I never knew that art could be a way of life before I studied literature here and I never knew a city could feel so friendly but punch so hard, historically, culturally, politically and musically.

“This place was a beginning for me. Thank you for all this, Sheffield. I can never repay you.”

The honour celebrates Lucy Pebble’s achievements writing for stage and screen: from her Broadway and West End plays, Emmy-winning television work on the HBO series Succession, and for creating acclaimed TV shows such as Secret Diary of a Call Girl and I Hate Suzie. 

She told The Sheffield Tab of how “moving” it was to return to the city where she has “many memories”.

Lucy said: “I walked past The Crucible to get to where I was staying and that theatre is very special to me. Not only did I visit it as a student, I was lucky enough to have a play of mine performed there.

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“It feels incredibly moving to be receiving this, coming back to Sheffield always feels like coming home. 

“What was special about my time at Sheffield were the people, and how they changed how I thought about things.” 

She also gave a piece of advice to this year’s graduates or any budding writers: “Be proud of yourself for what you have already done and be okay wanting things. Wanting things is how everything starts.” 

Other people to be awarded this week include poet, journalist and playwright Ian McMillan; co-CEO of Sheffield-based video games creator Sumo Group, Gary Dunn; former cricketer and cricket commentator Urooj Mumtaz Khan; and medal-winning competition climber Shauna Coxsey.

Professor Koen Lamberts, vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “Since Lucy graduated from Sheffield with an English literature degree, she has gone on to have an extraordinary career writing for stage and screen. We are so proud of her countless achievements, and it is fantastic to welcome her back to her alma mater to recognise her remarkable talent and success.

“All of our honorary graduates have made exceptional contributions across their respective fields, and are brilliant ambassadors for our university. I would like to thank them for inspiring our graduates as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”

Featured image via University of Sheffield