The Stage

Britz director Kosminsky backs Channel 4’s ‘trouble-making’ programming

Published Thursday 25 October 2007 at 17:50 by Matthew Hemley

Award-winning writer and director Peter Kosminsky has defended Channel 4 from criticism it is failing to fulfil its remit, claiming his new drama Britz is an indication of the broadcaster’s commitment to screening “trouble-making” programming.

The writer of Channel 4’s The Government Inspector said Britz, a two-part thriller about sibling British Muslims who are pulled in different directions by their experiences in post 9/11 Britain, would be “deeply unpopular” with certain viewers and claimed no other broadcaster would have made the drama.

He said: “There have been voices raised against Channel 4 over time saying it has forgotten its remit, but I have made a series of films for Channel 4 and if they are not squarely within that remit, I don’t know what it is. The Government Inspector was not a popular film. It asked all the right uncomfortable questions the government clearly detested. Britz will be profoundly unpopular in certain circles and I genuinely can’t imagine any other broadcaster making it at the moment.”

He added: “The fact Channel 4 has supported it for two-and-a-half-years and showcased it as a central piece in its 25th anniversary celebrations is a pretty clear indication of its commitment to this trouble-making programming. That’s a pretty good indication that things are not all bad in the industry.”

Channel 4 was created with a brief to foster the “new and experimental in television” and create distinctive and challenging programming that would not be found on other broadcasters.

Last year, former ITV chief executive attacked Channel 4 at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, claiming it was producing less original productions than other broadcasters.