Latest news with #GraniteHarbour
The National
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Top roles on BBC Scottish dramas 'more often based in London'
BBC Scotland has been told there is a 'lot of distrust' among the Scottish production community due to the corporation choosing London-based creatives over them, The National understands. Peter Strachan, who sits on the board of trade body Directors UK, said the broadcaster still has 'a long way to go' in providing careers for film and TV talent based in Scotland. The veteran TV director's research, for which he looked at where the people who hold above-the-line roles on established and new Scottish BBC dramas are based, suggested that more people based in London hold key production positions than those in Scotland. READ MORE: Scottish director's film set during Highland Clearances takes Cannes by storm Strachan looked at eight dramas commissioned by BBC Scotland: Granite Harbour, Nightsleeper, Shetland, Vigil, Mint, Counsels, Grams, and The Young Team. The latter three are set to be funded from the soon-to-be axed River City's budget. The research showed that nearly 43% of above-the-line roles, which include positions like directors, producers, and writers, were held by London-based creatives, while less than 42% of the same positions were held by those based in Scotland. Strachan (below) has called on BBC Scotland to boost the level of Scottish writers, producers, and directors working on its shows. (Image: Supplied) He said: 'The stats aren't all bad news but reveal there's still a long way to go in terms of creating career-sustaining opportunities for senior film and TV talent based in Scotland. 'There's a lot of distrust in the Scottish production community, as one senior drama director put it, 'I've already been to a lot of rodeos'. 'It's important the BBC does even more to boost the level of Scottish writers, producers and directing talent working on its network Scottish productions. Editors, too.' A report published by Screen Scotland late last year found that only five of the BBC's top 15 'Scottish' producers (by hours commissioned) were headquartered in Scotland. Previous research by Strachan also found that the hit TV show The Traitors had 81% of its production team based in England. At the same time, he also published an open letter calling for 'urgent' changes, without which he warned Scotland's screen industry will 'continue to dwindle and die'. Strachan told The National that London-based creatives being favoured by the BBC isn't just a Scotland issue but one that affects the whole of the UK. He added: 'The best way to do this is to award commissions to genuinely Scottish production companies, which guarantees the IP stays in Scotland, helping to sustain jobs and develop new productions. 'My colleagues and I at Directors UK look forward to working collaboratively with the BBC to bring about positive change. 'This isn't just a Scottish issue, it's one that impacts all of Directors UK's 'Out of London' members and has done for many years.' BBC Scotland has been approached for comment.
Press and Journal
20-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Fittie Bar saved from closure at 11th hour as new landlords swoop in to take over troubled Aberdeen pub
The Fittie Bar appears to have been saved from closure at the 11th hour – as new bosses have swooped in to rescue the much-loved Aberdeen pub. The bar was close to having its licence stripped after police read the riot act over a number of instances of 'violence, disorder and staff drunkenness'. But now, experienced landlords Natalie and Colleen Willox have taken over the Wellington Street bar. This comes just 24 hours before the venue was to learn its fate at a meeting of Aberdeen City Council's licensing board. Police had previously said they would take back their complaints if the previous manager stood down – but this statement has now disappeared from council papers, and new management are in place. Police wrote to Aberdeen City Council licensing bosses at the end of April demanding action. They highlighted how, since November, the pub has been the site of six incidents involving 'violence, disorder and staff drunkenness'. The force had previously asked for the coastal venue's licence to be 'reviewed and revoked' – however this seems to have changed. Previous documents read: 'Should the designated premises manager be removed and no longer be employed, they may look to withdraw the request.' The pub's history stretches all the way back to 1821, and it most recently featured in the BBC crime drama Granite Harbour. But with its 200 year history in doubt, two experienced pub bosses have stepped in to save the day. Mum and daughter Colleen and Natalie Willox have taken over the bar – with the family also running The White Cockade. The Willoxes have been in charge of the Torry pub for just under five years. A post on Facebook from the Willoxes read: 'We are in making some improvements too the bar but looking forward to welcoming you all back very soon. 'Please keep an eye out for our grand opening.' As of Tuesday, the Fittie Bar lies closed, with works ongoing before the new grand opening. But those who have visited The White Cockade are already excited for how the storied venue could look under its new management. Claire Spiller Smith wrote on Facebook: 'If it's half as good as the The White Cockade is, I can't wait!' Another who was looking forward to the new-look pub was Alanna Milne, who said that under new management, 'it's going to be a cracker'. 'I'm sure this wee bar will be fab once again,' praised Kathleen McGhee.
The Herald Scotland
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Campaigners under fire from BBC over River City 'mistruths'
The actors' union had claimed that the long-running soap attracts more than half a million viewers on average for each episode and is outperforming other drama series. Read more: However BBC Scotland said the actual figure for the soap was just 200,000 per episode, with River City lagging well behind other made-in-Scotland dramas like Shetland, Granite Harbour and Vigil. The BBC is also angry at suggestions that River City's £9 million budget would be 'funnelled into cheap reality or factual TV' as well as used to make new drama series which would shun Scottish talent, and instead import cast and crew from England. The campaign to save River City has won cross-party support since the show's cancellation was announced in March. Equity launched an immediate campaign to save River City in March after BBC Scotland announced plans to bring the show, which was launched in 2002, to an end in the autumn of 2026. BBC Scotland chiefs have blamed 'changing audience habits and declining viewing figures' for the decision, but have insisted River City's budget will be fully reinvested as part of a commitment to spend £95m on drama from Scotland between 2026 and 2028. Scott Fletcher and Stephen Purdon have starred in River City. (Image: BBC) Three brand new shows set in and around Glasgow – Counsels, Grams and The Young Team – have been commissioned from Scottish writers. Other new BBC productions that have been filming in Scotland in recent months include Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd's new show Half Man, which will feature Jamie Bell, Neve McIntosh and Amy Manson, family crime drama Mint, which will star Laura Fraser and Lewis Gribben, and psychological thriller The Ridge, which will see Outlander and Karen Pirie star Lauren Lyle appear opposite New Zealand actor Jay Ryan. BBC Scotland is to keep making Shetland, which stars Ashley Jensen and Alison O'Donnell. (Image: BBC) BBC Scotland has also announced the return of Shetland and Granite Harbour for new series, while a third instalment of Vigil has also been commissioned. Equity has predicted that the loss of River City, which it described as 'a well-loved staple of TV schedules,' would be a 'disaster for Scottish television". Nearly 12,000 supporters have backed a petition demanding a rethink from BBC Scotland over River City's cancellation, claiming it 'outperforms other TV series by more than 2.5 times". Equity general secretary Paul Fleming previously said: 'The £9m annual budget is excellent value for money given the hours of programming produced throughout the year for a successful show pulling in a regular audience of 500,000 per episode.' Equity Scotland official Marlene Curran has suggested River City would be replaced by "lift and shift" productions based outside Scotland. She said previously: "They'll have their cast and crew already lined up, and then they'll bring it up to Scotland, use our locations so that it looks as if it is a Scottish production made in Scotland, and then take it back down south to edit it again." Equity's website and the online petition have recently been amended to make it clear that its regular audience is actually 200,000 per episode. BBC Scotland said this compares to an average Scottish audience of 453,000 for Granite Harbour, 710,000 for Vigil and 791,000 for Shetland. A spokesperson for BBC Scotland said: 'River City does not have an audience of 500,000 per episode. 'When River City launched on BBC One Scotland in 2002 it had an initial audience of 700,000 but by last year, the average audience for River City across 2024 was 200,000 in Scotland. 'The decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures, which have dropped to an average of 200,000 per episode, considerably lower than other BBC dramas. 'Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas, so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. 'This is about value for money for the audience. We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95m over the next three years.' BBC Scotland insisted that Scottish culture and voices would be represented in the three new drama series it unveiled as part of its River City announcement. Its spokesperson added: 'All of the lead writers on each of these new dramas are Scottish – it's wrong to suggest otherwise. 'The BBC and the independent companies involved are fully committed to hiring Scottish crew as we successfully do with other dramas such as Shetland, Mint, Half Man and Granite Harbour. 'It's inaccurate to say that these new dramas will be bringing cast and crew up from the south rather than hiring locally and these mistruths are damaging to the creative sector we are committed to growing. 'The BBC remains committed to reflecting Scottish culture and voices in dramas across the UK. 'River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026. 'We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities.'
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Fittie Bar could have booze licence stripped over 'violence and staff drunkenness'
The Fittie Bar has landed itself in hot water over the allegations. Image: Paul Glendell The Fittie Bar's future is in doubt after the police have called for its licence to be revoked over 'violence, disorder and staff drunkenness'. The coastal venue may be banned from selling booze following complaints from cops over a number of incidents in the past six months. The pub's history stretches all the way back to 1821, and it most recently featured in the BBC crime drama Granite Harbour. But its immediate future is now in doubt, with crunch talks set to seal its fate later this month. Fittie Bar rumble could be the death of harbour pub Police wrote to Aberdeen City Council licensing bosses last month demanding action. Police are alleging that staff have been drinking on the job at the Fittie Bar. Image: Isaac Buchan/DC Thomson They pointed out that, since November, the pub has been the site of six incidents involving 'violence, disorder and staff drunkenness'. Police are asking for the Fittie Bar's licence to be 'reviewed and revoked' – but are willing to compromise. They say they 'may' rethink the request if the manager leaves their position. Papers going before councillors state: 'Should the designated premises manager be removed and no longer be employed, they may look to withdraw the request.' What do you think of the Fittie Bar? Let us know in our comments section below What happens next? The matter will be discussed by licensing chiefs on Wednesday, May 21. The Fittie Bar in Aberdeen was transformed into The Bodach Stone for BBC drama Granite Harbour. Image: Scott Baxter The harbour pub will have the opportunity to defend itself during the hearing. The Fittie Bar did not wish to comment. You can view the full papers here. Read more: Tags
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
River City ends on dramatic series cliffhanger as show takes break from screens
BBC Scotland revealed details about the show being taken off air next year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RIVER City fans are guaranteed to be left hanging tonight - as long-standing character Lenny Murdoch teetered on the edge of scaffolding as the series came to a dramatic end. The current run of the show has seen the Shieldinch gangster, played by Frank Gallagher, battle with his mental health. 3 Lenny Murdoch and wife Lydia stand on scaffolding looking over Shieldinch Credit: BBC 3 The Murdoch clan are one of the most well-known families on Montego Street Credit: BBC And his family rushed to his side, urging him towards safety. But the credits rolled before viewers found out if it was too little, too late for Lenny. A telly source said: "The storyline has been kept hush-hush and viewers will have to wait until June to find out what happens next." The soap returns in the summer for a new series - but will end completely next year after the BBC decided to axe the long-running drama. The flagship Scots soap will air its final series in Autumn 2026 - 24 years after viewers were first introduced to the residents of Shieldinch. BBC Scotland announced last month that it will reallocate the budget for the series away from long-running shows towards shorter runs. There will be three new series – Counsels, Grams and The Young Team. While popular drama Granite Harbour will return for a third series, filming in Aberdeen and Glasgow in the coming months. Also making a return is Shetland for its tenth series and Vigil for a third series, while the previously announced eight-part drama, Mint, is shooting in Scotland. Total investment in BBC drama from Scotland over the next three years is expected to rise to over £95million. Iconic Scots BBC show AXED after more than 20 years The BBC will also work with industry partners on a new talent training plan in Scotland to build on River City's successful training academy. Hayley Valentine, Director, BBC Scotland said: 'River City has been a wonderful adventure and of course we'll all be sad to see it go. "The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. "But as viewing patterns change and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK. 3 River City ends on a dramatic series cliffhanger tonight as the show takes a break Credit: BBC "Our goal is to grow Scotland further on the global drama map – with a slate of world-class productions that set the standard not just here but internationally too.' Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning at BBC Scotland, added: 'We are incredibly proud of River City and it is with great sadness that we have come to this difficult decision. "I want to thank the River City team in front of and behind the cameras for their dedication to the show over the years, past and present. "For more than two decades, River City has brought drama to life on screen as well as offering industry training at grassroots level, and we know that fans of the programme will be really sad to see it go. "The show leaves a tremendous legacy behind and the new productions we've announced will offer further opportunities. 'However, the media landscape is changing at pace and, as audience viewing habits change, it's vital we respond to this. "Our three new dramas, alongside the returning drama favourites, reflect the increasing shift in audience demand for series rooted in Scotland which play to audiences across the UK…and beyond. "We're delighted to be working with such great production teams and remain steadfast in our commitment to invest in Scotland's creative industry.' Commenting on news that River City is being cancelled, Scottish Labour Culture spokesperson Neil Bibby said: 'River City is an iconic and popular show. It is deeply disappointing news for the actors, production crew and many viewers that BBC Scotland is planning to axe the show after over 20 years of success. 'The public service broadcaster must be fully transparent and explain the rationale for this decision. It is very concerning that an apparent lack of planning in relation to studio space may have contributed to this detrimental decision. 'River City has provided a vital platform for many Scottish actors and a pipeline of talent to the wider television and film industry. 'Everything that can be done should be done to save the show and ensure Scotland has a soap opera drama. 'Even if this decision goes ahead it is essential that the £9 million budget for the show is ringfenced for the production of Scottish drama to protect the jobs of actors and production crew and provide entertainment for Scottish viewers.'
