Post by RitaLittlewood on Nov 15, 2007 13:16:48 GMT
From Media Guardian:
ITV names soap supremos
Ben Dowell
Guardian Unlimited Thursday November 15 2007
ITV today appointed Kim Crowther to the top job on Coronation Street, while Anita Turner will take the helm at Emmerdale, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal.
Crowther, who began working on Coronation Street more than six years ago and left in 2004 to develop other projects for ITV, will take the top post of producer in the new year to allow a handover period with the current producer, Steve Frost.
Frost will bow out at the end of March after two-and-a-half years. Kieran Roberts, the controller of drama for ITV in Manchester, will continue his role as executive producer.
Meanwhile at Emmerdale, Anita Turner, a former script editor on the series who has been working at independent Lime Pictures for the past two years, will take over from series producer Kath Beedles in January and be based in Leeds.
Both Frost and Beedles will remain with ITV Productions taking on what the network calls "important new roles in the drama department".
One of Beedles' first projects will be an Emmerdale related spin-off, which she hopes to produce during 2008.
The controller of drama for ITV in Leeds, Keith Richardson, continues his role as Emmerdale's executive producer.
Crowther, who joined Coronation Street as script editor in 2001 and quickly progressed to the role of series editor, said: "From my time as series editor while Richard Hillman gripped the nation, through to the current meltdown of David Platt, Corrie has proved it does things differently, having the ability to move, amuse and excite its audience all at the same time.
"I'm looking forward to building on the show's recent successes while creating must-see storylines for 2008 and beyond."
Turner has worked in television for 20 years, during which she has worked as script editor on Emmerdale and Coronation Street. She has also script edited Holby City.
Most recently, Turner was the development editor and script editor on a new drama, Apparitions, produced by Liverpool-based indie Lime Pictures.
"Thirty-five years and Emmerdale is still fantastic. Being given the chance to help it go from strength to strength is such an honour - I can't wait," she said.
The director of ITV Productions, John Whiston, said: "It's a time of change for the soaps. In the last couple of years under Steve and Kath and their teams, both soaps have defied gravity and held on to their massive audiences while all around were losing theirs.
"Both Steve and Kath are a terribly tough act to follow. That's why we are all thrilled that we've got Kim and Anita to step into their shoes. These jobs require passion, judgment, diplomacy, invention and above all superhuman stamina.
"I'm also just as excited that we've persuaded Steve and Kath to stay within the company. We will be unleashing them soon into the wider drama arena where I know they will deliver great new shows for ITV Productions."
ITV names soap supremos
Ben Dowell
Guardian Unlimited Thursday November 15 2007
ITV today appointed Kim Crowther to the top job on Coronation Street, while Anita Turner will take the helm at Emmerdale, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal.
Crowther, who began working on Coronation Street more than six years ago and left in 2004 to develop other projects for ITV, will take the top post of producer in the new year to allow a handover period with the current producer, Steve Frost.
Frost will bow out at the end of March after two-and-a-half years. Kieran Roberts, the controller of drama for ITV in Manchester, will continue his role as executive producer.
Meanwhile at Emmerdale, Anita Turner, a former script editor on the series who has been working at independent Lime Pictures for the past two years, will take over from series producer Kath Beedles in January and be based in Leeds.
Both Frost and Beedles will remain with ITV Productions taking on what the network calls "important new roles in the drama department".
One of Beedles' first projects will be an Emmerdale related spin-off, which she hopes to produce during 2008.
The controller of drama for ITV in Leeds, Keith Richardson, continues his role as Emmerdale's executive producer.
Crowther, who joined Coronation Street as script editor in 2001 and quickly progressed to the role of series editor, said: "From my time as series editor while Richard Hillman gripped the nation, through to the current meltdown of David Platt, Corrie has proved it does things differently, having the ability to move, amuse and excite its audience all at the same time.
"I'm looking forward to building on the show's recent successes while creating must-see storylines for 2008 and beyond."
Turner has worked in television for 20 years, during which she has worked as script editor on Emmerdale and Coronation Street. She has also script edited Holby City.
Most recently, Turner was the development editor and script editor on a new drama, Apparitions, produced by Liverpool-based indie Lime Pictures.
"Thirty-five years and Emmerdale is still fantastic. Being given the chance to help it go from strength to strength is such an honour - I can't wait," she said.
The director of ITV Productions, John Whiston, said: "It's a time of change for the soaps. In the last couple of years under Steve and Kath and their teams, both soaps have defied gravity and held on to their massive audiences while all around were losing theirs.
"Both Steve and Kath are a terribly tough act to follow. That's why we are all thrilled that we've got Kim and Anita to step into their shoes. These jobs require passion, judgment, diplomacy, invention and above all superhuman stamina.
"I'm also just as excited that we've persuaded Steve and Kath to stay within the company. We will be unleashing them soon into the wider drama arena where I know they will deliver great new shows for ITV Productions."
