The Stage

Double commissioning to keep BBC drama talent

Published Tuesday 31 May 2005 at 14:25 by Liz Thomas

Drama commissioning at the BBC is to undergo a significant overhaul, with executives able to commission two or three series of popular shows at a time, in a bid to retain talent for future productions.

In an unprecedented move for the Corporation, multiple runs of programmes such as Spooks, Hustle and Waking the Dead could be commissioned in one block rather than consecutively.

Controller of drama commissioning Jane Tranter said: “Double commissioning is designed to allow independent production companies the creative freedom to think further forward with their development of long-running drama for the BBC. This is a clear commitment from us to secure the very best drama for our audience and another way of making commissioning more nimble.”

Returning series New Tricks, the detective programme made by indie Wall to Wall starring James Bolam, Dennis Waterman and Amanda Redman, is the first show to win a double commission under the new system. Filming will begin on an eight-part third series later this year and the fourth is scheduled to be shot in 2006.

The BBC is keen to build-up its slate in mainstream drama and New Tricks has consistently attracted audiences in excess of 7 million. John Yorke, controller of continuing drama series and independent drama, said the new system would help keep talent at the BBC. He added: “It is notoriously difficult to get comedy drama right. The series has quickly won a loyal audience and with a double commission secured, the brilliant team are now committed for at least a further two years.”

The move is part of BBC director-general Mark Thompson’s plan to open up the process with a greater amount of commissions and better access to commissioners available to independent producers.

Last month the BBC announced it was axing the ‘double tick’ commissioning approach - where programmes have to be approved by both genre commissioners and channel controllers - in a bid to speed up and simplify the process. Its drama commissioning system has been criticised in the past by the independent production sector for a lack of fairness and transparency.

The Corporation recently came under fire for failing to ensure that Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper were contracted for more than one series of Doctor Who. However the new process only applies to returning dramas that have proved their popularity and would not have kept the pair in their roles for a second run of the hit Saturday night show.