The Stage

Young duo likely to replace Reeks as ITV head of drama

Published Tuesday 17 January 2006 at 13:20 by Liz Thomas

ITV is set to hire two executives in place of head of drama Jenny Reeks, in order to ensure a broad variety of productions are commissioned in the genre.

Reeks’, who was controller of drama Nick Elliott’s deputy for ten years, has left at a time when the broadcaster’s commissioning structure is undergoing a radical overhaul. Director of television Simon Shaps has created three super-director roles in entertainment, factual and drama with Elliott now in the latter role.

An industry insider said it was almost certain that management would not opt for a new head of drama as Elliott’s number two but seek instead to make two more junior joint appointments.

One insider told The Stage Shaps is “likely to recruit people below Nick, younger commissioners, to ensure a wider range of drama is commissioned”.

Reeks, a former executive producer at the BBC, and Elliott had worked together since 1995 commissioning hits such as Bad Girls and Cold Feet, they have longstanding relationships with key writers and directors. With Elliott nearing retirement, Shaps, who has consistently made it clear he wants to expand the commissioning teams in all genres, will be keen to bring in fresh blood but will also have to be careful not to repeat the mistake of losing talent when executives leave. The danger of this situation was highlighted by Paul O’Grady’s recent decision to defect to Channel 4 because of the departure of ITV entertainment controller Claudia Rosencrantz and director of programmes Nigel Pickard.

Industry expert Maggie Brown said: “The success of BBC1’s Life on Mars and other experiments such as Bleak House are delivering a message to ITV that the audience wants new material and innovation. So Elliott and Shaps will probably have to look at the more junior level for a bunch of commissioners to natch the new sets of viewers they want to attract… Francis Hopkinson, who left Granada for Channel 4 last year is one possible option.”

Elliott admitted that he was talking to a number of people of varying levels of experience and that Reeks role could be divided among two people.

ITV has confirmed that Granada America’s chief executive Paul Jackson is to be its new director of entertainment and comedy from February. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? producer Guy Freeman and former Granada head of entertainment Duncan Gray are being tipped for roles in the new team following the resignation of Rosencrantz and comedy controller Sioned William.

• Media View, page 15, Broadcasting feature, page 17.