Latest news with #BBCStudiosProductions
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Studios Unscripted Boss on Tom Hanks, Stanley Tucci Series and the Recipe for U.S. Success
The Americas, narrated by Tom Hanks, on NBC. [Stanley] Tucci in Italy on National Geographic. Walking With Dinosaurs, narrated by Bertie Carvel (The Crown, HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series), on PBS. These series are just the latest star-studded factual offerings from BBC Studios Productions, one of the British and global media industry's most respected production outfits that is part of BBC Studios, the main commercial arm of U.K. public broadcaster BBC, that have taken the U.S. by storm. Of course, there has also been Prehistoric Planet, executive produced by Jon Favreau, and OceanXplorers with James Cameron. And there is more to come involving big names, as Disney has unveiled that National Geographic has greenlit a new documentary series under the working title Meet the Planets, that is being developed by Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort and BBC Studios. More from The Hollywood Reporter Busan Film Festival to Honor Jafar Panahi as Asian Filmmaker of the Year Anne Hathaway Shares First Look at 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' 'Dune' VFX House DNEG's Immersive Experiences Unit Names NBCU's Jeff Lehman Exec Producer (Exclusive) Bottom line: Shows from BBC Studios Productions, which includes the world-renowned Natural History Unit, the Documentary Unit, the Science Unit, wholly owned label Voltage, and third-party distribution relationships, regularly feature Hollywood creatives and do well on U.S. screens, as well as worldwide. And they have just received six Primetime Emmy nominations and 11 Daytime Emmy nominations. Secrets of the Neanderthals and The Secret Lives of Animals are nominated for the latter. In terms of Primetime Emmy nominees, The Americas are in the running for the Outstanding Narrator Award for Hanks and the Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special Emmy for Hans Zimmer. Tucci in Italy is up for the honors for outstanding hosted non-fiction series or special and outstanding cinematography. And Planet Earth – Asia was nominated in the Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or Special category and Outstanding Narrator for Attenborough. But what is the recipe for factual success at BBC Studios Productions? Key ingredients are scale and breadth, collaborations and partnerships, and specialism, or craft, Kate Ward, managing director, Unscripted Productions at BBC Studios Productions, tells THR. 'I think that factual programming is really having a moment, and we're really seeing that moment,' she argues. 'Big dramas have incredible power and zeitgeist and are, obviously, a huge part of the ecosystem. But what factual does as a genre is that we really passionately believe it's there to change perspectives and start conversations. And because it hasn't always been at the front of the schedule in the U.S., when it does, it feels really special.' Take The Americas, for example. 'We hope it's giving Americans a shared view of the natural world of life on their doorstep, sometimes at the end of their street, which in a world that can feel fragmented and challenging is something that brings people together,' Ward argues. 'Bringing people together is something that is core to our values and our mission at the BBC.' So, how is her unscripted team at BBC Studios trying to succeed in a crowded marketplace? First, 'we're excited about the scale and the variety of work we're doing for the U.S. market,' Ward shares. 'Our shows represent a range of different styles of factual programming for a range of different broadcasters with a range of different models.' In terms of the scale of productions, she lauds BBC Studios' 'unmatched ambition' and ability to pull off 'epic' shows. 'If you look at The Americas, for example, it took five years to make 180 filming expeditions,' she explains. 'So, we are working at epic proportions in terms of production. How many protein bars did the team have to eat over five years to make this show? As a result, you get that infectious curiosity that just draws you in as a viewer.' The second ingredient of success is expertise. 'We can bring the specialism, the craft we are known for,' to ensure high-quality programming, Ward explains. 'Walking With Dinosaurs can bring real value and an education for children and adults. It's rooted in real science. So it is entertainment and education together, and I think that means it can reach a really, really large audience.' Finally, Ward says it's about collaborations with creatives, producers and distribution partners rather than going it alone. 'Creators bring their own way of storytelling, ambition, passion, and together, we can do extraordinary things. We also have deep partnerships producers, with platforms and broadcasters, from our long-standing, unbelievably special relationship with PBS that we value so deeply to NBC and Universal Television Alternative Studio (UTAS), which was a great experience for us. We also have a whole range of programming for National Geographic and Disney, and we have done great work with the likes of Apple and Netflix.' Strong relationships not only give existing shows a good audience platform but can, of course, also lead to the development of further shows, and shows that stand out, she argues. 'These deep collaborative relationships help us shape and do new things for the U.S. market that's really distinctive,' concludes Ward. Now, how about those Hollywood stars collaborating with the BBC. 'We're working with a range of amazing Hollywood talent – actors, directors, auteurs,' she tells THR. 'Why have these people, often known for their fictional work, been drawn to the factual genre? I believe it's because it allows them to explore the subjects about which they're genuinely passionate and to innovate in a different way of storytelling than they do in their other work, which may predominantly be in scripted. We're super excited about that melding of worlds and that sharing of experience.' How does BBC Studios attract such big names in the always-fierce battle for talent? 'It's about storytellers, trust and mutual respect,' Ward tells THR. 'I believe that they are coming to the BBC, because we have the trust, the legacy, the consistent quality, and the specialism that we have built over the years. 'That is really, really important and critical when we're working with other storytellers.' For BBC Studios Productions, working with famous personalities with a shared passion, along with fan appeal and bases, is key too, not least to give series the desired broad reach. But importantly, the creative collaborators must make real sense – or viewers will smell a rat. 'We're looking for those meaningful connections and that creativity,' Ward explains. 'But it is important to approach this through the lens of two storytellers coming together in true partnership, and it always has to be authentic.' Take Tucci, for example. 'Stanley is an incredible storyteller, and to be part of that storyteller's journey through Italy, which he is passionate about, is so exciting, and we're so proud of what we were able to create together,' Ward says. 'Or when you think about Tom Hanks' role on The Americas: Tom's passion for the subject really shines through. If that wasn't the case, the audience would know the difference.' In other words: you couldn't just take a random famous face and attach it to a BBC Studios Productions documentary or other factual series without a real interest or connection. 'This is factual programming. So, there have got to be real, authentic, passionate connections to the subjects, storytellers who immerse you and take you on that journey,' Ward explains. 'These storytellers can start those conversations, change perceptions, take you to worlds and times that you didn't know about. So, we will always be looking for that authenticity and that connection between us and storytellers in a creative partnership.' Thanks to BBC Studios, U.S. audiences, along with British and global viewers, have also fallen in love with such British voices as the legendary naturalist David Attenborough and historian Lucy Worsley (Lucy Worsley's Holmes vs. Doyle). 'She also brings that authentic connection,' highlights Ward. 'Lucy is so popular in America, and she does it so brilliantly.' Ward vows to continue on the path of bringing factual hits to the U.S. and the world. 'Scale, specialism, and collaboration are part of the secret sauce of how we're approaching the business,' she tells THR. 'And we feel super privileged to be able to bring those together and provide a melding of creativity and what that does for people who love factual storytelling or find it. That is a really, really powerful and exciting proposition.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Iconic BBC sitcom to make surprise return to screens two years after death of creator
No episodes of the BBC sitcom have been produced since the death of its creator in 2023 but the series will be back on screen for a Christmas special this year. Two Doors Down is making a return to screens for a Christmas special later this year. The BBC sitcom - which followed the lives of residents living on a Scottish backstreet - initially ran for seven series from 2016 until 2023, and it was originally thought that no more episodes would be produced following the death of creator Simon Carlyle at the age of just 48. But the broadcaster has now announced that the programme will indeed return for a festive episode, and Simon's co-creator Gregor Sharp has written the script. He said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' The ensemble cast is made up of a host of Scottish talent, with Alex Norton and Arabella Weir starring as Eric and Beth Baird, whilst Jonathan Watson and Doon Mackichan play their neighbours Colin and Cathy Whyte. Elaine C. Smith and Graeme Stevely will be back in their roles as Christine O'Neal and Alan respectively, whilst Joy McAvoy will make a comeback as Michelle, and Beth and Eric's son Ian (Jamie Quinn) will return with his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). The action will unfold when all the neighbours pile into Beth and Eric's house to celebrate Christmas. Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, said: 'We're so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can't wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric's for another tortuous Christmas. Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and loveable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Confirmation of the special comes just months after actor Kieron let slip that something was on the way as he spoke of how "though" it would be to get back together without their creator, telling The Daily Record: 'The first day on set without Simon will be tough for everyone. He was such an integral part of the filming, let alone the writing. He was there every day, all day. He was our friend. He was giving us notes. He was supervising it and guiding it. Carlyle also wrote for Changing Ends, an ITV comedy series about Alan Carr growing up in the 1980s, and BBC LGBT+ show Boy Meets Girl. There no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, it's been reported. Jon Petrie, director of comedy commissioning at the BBC, said: "We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of our friend and colleague Simon Carlyle. "Simon was a wonderful comedy talent who, amongst many other credits, co-created and wrote the multi award winning series Two Doors Down. His warm comic voice shone through these characters, garnering huge audience affection, and firmly establishing it as a long-lasting sitcom favourite. Our sympathies are with his family and friends at this difficult time." His death came before the seventh series of the sitcom went to air, and it eventually moved from BBC Two to BBC One for broadcast, although all episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer. Around the same time, actor Grado claimed that there would be "no more" episodes produced, and the production team spoke of how "deeply saddened" they were by the news of Simon's death. The sitcom's production team added: "We are deeply saddened by this terrible news. Simon was a brilliant, funny, mercurial and magnificent human being. He had a microscopic fascination with what makes funny things funnier and we were so lucky to have known him. He was at the centre of all the work we made together and his loss will be felt profoundly by all of us. We send love and support to his family and friends." "Farewell @Simoncarlyle - I am totally devo'ed by your leaving us. The laughs won't ever be the same. Sleep well pal. #RIPSimonCarlyle," one Twitter user wrote this evening, as another fan tweeted Caryle's Twitter account saying: "I'm devastated to hear you're no longer with us. We started speaking when #TwoDoorsDown very first came on TV. Thanks for always being so kind to me and thank you for such an incredible show! I'll miss our little chats. Thinking of everyone who knew you. Love."
Metro
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
BBC confirms Two Doors Down is returning 2 years after show was cancelled
Multi-award winning sitcom Two Doors Down is set to return for a Christmas special this year despite the death of its creator, Simon Carlyle. The Scottish comedy series, which began as a one-off special episode in 2013, became a full series in 2016 and ran until its final outing in December 2023. The sitcom follows the lives of the Baird, White, and O'Neal families, who all live on Latimer Crescent – a quiet street in a pleasant suburb of Glasgow. Four months before the emotional finale of the show, the series' creator and lead writer Carlyle died aged 48. After seven seasons, three Christmas specials and the death of its creator, Doon Mackichan – who played Cathy Whyte on the show – said that Two Doors Down was finishing 'for now'. This comment was reinforced a year later by actor Grado Stevely, who played Alan Edgar, saying that no more episodes of Two Doors Down were expected. Now, however, the BBC has confirmed the return of a new Christmas special. The main series finished with Michelle (Joy McAvoy) and Alan (Grado Stevely) returning to Glasgow after eloping to Las Vegas to get married, with the grisly details shared for everyone to hear. But to celebrate Christmas, the residents of Latimer Crescent will be congregating at Beth (Arabella Weir) and Eric's (Alex Norton) house. The neighbours are all back, including Christine (Elaine C Smith), Cathy (Doon Mackichan) and Colin (Jonathan Watson), Alan (Graeme Stevely) and Michelle (Joy McAvoy), plus Beth and Eric's son Ian (Jamie Quinn) and his fiancé Gordon (Kieran Hodgson). After seeing a steady growth in audiences since it began, the show has gone on to win several awards, including an RTS Scotland Award for Best Comedy in 2024 and 2017 and BAFTA Scotland Best Actress awards for Doon Mackichan in 2024 and for Elaine C. Smith in 2018. Gregor Sharp, who has written the new Christmas special, said: 'It's really exciting to be revisiting Latimer Crescent with all the regular cast for this new episode. 'Christmas is a time for getting together with friends and family and then becoming low level irritated by them so it feels like they're the perfect group to celebrate the season with.' BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie added: 'There's something comforting about having the neighbours round for Christmas, even if they bring minor chaos. Gregor and the gang bring the warm laughs, sly digs and brilliantly petty moments that make Two Doors Down such a cracking comedy.' Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Productions, and Steven Canny, Executive Producer, also said: 'We're so pleased to be returning to Latimer Crescent and can't wait for the audience to be back in Beth and Eric's for another tortuous Christmas. 'Gregor and Simon created a brilliantly funny show that has an outstanding cast of memorable and loveable characters and we're hugely looking forward to seeing them torment each other again.' Star Elaine C. Smith (who plays Christine O'Neal on the series) previously said when asked about the series returning: 'I think we have to be really respectful to Gregor because that was like a marriage – they had been writing together for 20 years. 'Gregor's grief will be huge as they were locked in an office together for six months of the year.' More Trending Despite being set in Glasgow, the series is actually filmed in the Silvertonhill area of Hamilton, a town that lies just over 10 miles to the south of the major city. While the critical reaction was initially mixed, Two Doors Down won over millions of viewers and eventually became a warmly received and acclaimed series. By the show's end in December 2023, the final episode pulled in almost three million viewers across all platforms during its first 30 days after release. Two Doors Down can be watched on BBC iPlayer . Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: Why is EastEnders not on tonight? Latest news on today's episode MORE: Naga Munchetty 'set to quit BBC Breakfast following bullying allegations' MORE: Who could replace John Torode and Gregg Wallace as BBC's new MasterChef's judges?
The National
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
BBC accused of 'North Korean-style censorship' in royal coverage
Trooping the Colour – the King's annual birthday parade – was covered live by the BBC at the weekend. But Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, has written to the boss of the events team at BBC Studios Productions accusing the broadcaster of 'censoring and erasing' the presence of 'highly visible' protests against the monarchy. It is the first time Republic has approached the factual entertainment and events team about its coverage and has threatened to go to people 'higher up in the BBC' if there is no response. READ MORE: Pete Wishart calls for Labour Government not to remove whip from MPs Smith – who says he has had several meetings with the BBC about their news coverage – told The National the broadcaster was being 'dishonest' in painting a picture of a 'devoted nation fawning over the royals'. 'Generally our focus has been on their news coverage [so far], but these big events are not done by their news teams, it's done by a separate events team,' he said. 'It's only been the last couple of years that we've been at those events, and we've started to notice […] how they are deliberately editing things out. 'Some of the commentary from people like Clare Balding at the weekend just presents this picture of a devoted nation fawning over the royals. It's not just about them cutting us out, it's about them misrepresenting the crowds, suggesting it's much larger than it is and suggesting it's royalists.' He went on: 'There's a bit where they are showing the carriages coming down the Mall and you can see the crowds at the barriers, and then we can see – because we know what we're looking for – we can see where we are and they zoom in and you can just about see some feet and a bit of yellow [the colour Republic uses]. (Image: Aaron Chown) 'They should be covering it as it is, not doing the royals' job as a press office. 'This is why we say it's like North Korea, it's such a dishonest representation of what is going on and how people feel about it.' At the start of last year, a Savanta poll showed support for the monarchy had fallen to just 48%. A YouGov poll that followed a few months later showed support for the monarchy in Scotland at 50% compared to 34% backing a republic. Smith cited how a few years ago, David Dimbleby revealed the level of control exerted by the royal family over broadcasters' rights for the Queen's funeral. He told the Henley Book Festival that as he broadcast from St George's Chapel in Windsor the BBC was receiving emails 'almost simultaneously' from palace officials, dictating which clips of footage could not be shown in any subsequent broadcast. 'There was this complete list of things that no broadcaster could show because the copyright belongs to Buckingham Palace. I think that's wrong, just wrong,' he said. READ MORE: BBC chief responds to landmark report exposing bias on Gaza The letter to Hannah Wyatt, managing director of factual entertainment and events at BBC Studios, claims the BBC's coverage of Trooping the Colour 'completely ignored' the protests held by Republic, even when they could be heard in the background. 'It is not going too far to suggest that you have chosen a North Korean style of coverage which censors and erases the presence of noisy, growing and highly visible protests against the monarchy,' the letter says. 'Aerial shots of the crowd showed numbers are falling, with huge swathes of empty space outside the palace and along the Mall. 'Yet still you convey a misleading image of a packed Mall full of fawning royalists, while your commentary included no input from critics of the institution. 'These protests will get bigger and louder, and they will not stop. So, I'm asking that we meet to discuss these concerns and hopefully convey to you the seriousness of this issue.' Smith said there has been a 'consistent pattern' at the BBC of editing out signs of opposition to the monarchy, as he claimed similar incidents had occurred the coronation and Commonwealth Day. The BBC has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BBC Studios Acquires Unscripted Production Company Mothership TV
BBC Studios Productions, a unit of BBC Studios, has boosted its investment in Mothership TV, the unscripted production firm founded by former Channel 4 deputy director of programs Kelly Webb-Lamb, to take full ownership of the company. In late 2022, BBC Studios Productions had taken a 25 percent stake in the company. More from The Hollywood Reporter Andrew Tate and Brother Tristan Charged With 21 U.K. Crimes, Including Rape and Human Trafficking Susie Wolff Is Putting the F(emale) in F1 Guillermo del Toro to Host Canadian Horror Film Festival (Exclusive) The transaction unveiled on Thursday marks the second deal for an unscripted indie by the unit of the commercial arm of the BBC following its acquisition of Voltage TV (Amanda and Alan, Tempting Fortune) in 2022. Mothership will be part of BBC Studios' newly announced Unscripted Productions, led by Kate Ward, managing director, Unscripted Productions. Financial details weren't disclosed. Under the terms of the deal. BBC Studios will have first-look global distribution and format rights to Mothership's output. Mothership launched in 2022 to make 'entertaining, warm and witty unscripted formats of scale.' Currently in production by it is Secret Genius, a new competition format for Channel 4 in which 'Alan Carr and Susie Dent will test Britain's brainpower like never before to uncover the country's most gifted and unsung minds.' Mothership has also produced Around The World in 80 Weighs and Sandi's Great British Woodland Restoration for Channel 4, with 'a raft of new programs in development.' Said Webb-Lamb: 'What matters most to me is being able to make great telly with great people and I've really enjoyed and valued Mothership's relationship with BBC Studios over the past three years. I'm looking forward to deepening this relationship going forward.' Added Ward: 'As demand for unscripted formats continues to grow both in the U.K. and around the world, we are thrilled to be strengthening our successful partnership with Kelly and Mothership and look forward to a very exciting future.' BBC Studios Productions also houses six scripted labels, namely Lookout Point (Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley 3), Baby Cow Productions (Brian and Margaret, Changing Ends), House Productions (Conclave, Sherwood), Clerkenwell Films (Baby Reindeer, The End of the F**king World) Sid Gentle Films (Killing Eve, Rain Dog) and Firebird (Wild Cherry, Outrageous). It also holds minority investments in a five others, namely Various Artists Limited, Expectation Entertainment, Turbine and Boffola Pictures. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
