Former Sky Exec Kylie Munnich Named Goalpost Pictures CEO
The Invisible Man, Five Blind Dates and Black Snow producer Goalpost Pictures has named film and TV industry veteran Kylie Munnich as its CEO. The Sydney-based producer will welcome her on November 1. The former Sky Studios and Sonar Entertainment exec is leaving a role as head of Screen Queensland, a post she held for three years, overseeing the state’s biggest ever spike in production against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, she was a Scripted Sales and Co-Production Executive for Seven Studios and Senior Vice President for Distribution, Asia Pacific for Sonar Entertainment. Before that, she’d worked in the UK as Director of Drama and Comedy for Sky Vision (now Sky Studios) and worked on in-house scripted commissions for Sky. She also held senior roles for Sony Pictures Television. Goalpost is currently in in post-production on Stan and...
The Invisible Man, Five Blind Dates and Black Snow producer Goalpost Pictures has named film and TV industry veteran Kylie Munnich as its CEO. The Sydney-based producer will welcome her on November 1. The former Sky Studios and Sonar Entertainment exec is leaving a role as head of Screen Queensland, a post she held for three years, overseeing the state’s biggest ever spike in production against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, she was a Scripted Sales and Co-Production Executive for Seven Studios and Senior Vice President for Distribution, Asia Pacific for Sonar Entertainment. Before that, she’d worked in the UK as Director of Drama and Comedy for Sky Vision (now Sky Studios) and worked on in-house scripted commissions for Sky. She also held senior roles for Sony Pictures Television. Goalpost is currently in in post-production on Stan and...
- 9/26/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
UK drama executive John Yorke, former exec producer of Wolf Hall, will serve as the international script mentor for FremantleMedia Australia.s Blue Sky drama initiative.
A former head of Channel Four Drama and controller of BBC Drama Production, Yorke will lead two writers through a 5-day development workshop in Sydney starting on August 17.
Fma is yet to name the two writers, whose projects will be developed to a bible and then first draft script stage, ready for commissioning, assisted by director of drama Jo Porter and head of scripted content Anthony Ellis.
They will be further rewarded with financial and creative participation in any successful project. Jointly funded by Screen Australia.s new enterprise industry program and Fma, the scheme aims to create four high-end drama concepts for international broadcasters and VOD platforms.
Porter said, .Having someone of the calibre of John Yorke guiding these unique projects is going...
A former head of Channel Four Drama and controller of BBC Drama Production, Yorke will lead two writers through a 5-day development workshop in Sydney starting on August 17.
Fma is yet to name the two writers, whose projects will be developed to a bible and then first draft script stage, ready for commissioning, assisted by director of drama Jo Porter and head of scripted content Anthony Ellis.
They will be further rewarded with financial and creative participation in any successful project. Jointly funded by Screen Australia.s new enterprise industry program and Fma, the scheme aims to create four high-end drama concepts for international broadcasters and VOD platforms.
Porter said, .Having someone of the calibre of John Yorke guiding these unique projects is going...
- 8/4/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: BBC1 has commissioned Working Title Television to produce drama strand The Secrets, which will pair emerging writers with established acting and directing talent.
The strand will comprise 5 x 30-minute dramas, with a five-week shoot launching in London this week ahead of broadcast later this year. Director Dominic Savage will oversee all five episodes, which are connected by an explosive secret.
Playwrights Nick Payne and Elinor Cook make their TV debut for the strand, alongside emerging talents Ben Ockrent and Sarah Solemani. Executive producers are Juliette Howell for Working Title Television and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The strand was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, controller, BBC drama commissioning, and BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore.
The first of two episodes from Payne will star Olivia Colman, Alison Steadman and Steve Oram in the story of a vet expecting her first child, who has access to drugs that put pets to sleep, and a mother who is chronically ill and...
The strand will comprise 5 x 30-minute dramas, with a five-week shoot launching in London this week ahead of broadcast later this year. Director Dominic Savage will oversee all five episodes, which are connected by an explosive secret.
Playwrights Nick Payne and Elinor Cook make their TV debut for the strand, alongside emerging talents Ben Ockrent and Sarah Solemani. Executive producers are Juliette Howell for Working Title Television and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The strand was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, controller, BBC drama commissioning, and BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore.
The first of two episodes from Payne will star Olivia Colman, Alison Steadman and Steve Oram in the story of a vet expecting her first child, who has access to drugs that put pets to sleep, and a mother who is chronically ill and...
- 1/23/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Company Pictures has agreed a deal with Israel's Tedy Productions and Add Content Agency for a new show based around 'Prisoner X'.
The new drama will be loosely centred around the true story of Prisoner X, a Mossad agent who died in an Israeli prison while facing treason charges.
Ben Zygier - an Australian-Israeli citizen working for the Mossad - is thought to have hanged himself in his maximum security cell in 2010. He had revealed state secrets to unconfirmed enemies of the nation.
However, his imprisonment and death was not widely known until February 2013, becoming headline news within Israeli media.
Prisoner X will focus on two women left behind after an Israeli agent disappears in solitary confinement, reports Variety.
Producers describe the drama as a spy-thriller version of Thelma & Louise, in which two women fight for a man who has disappeared. Together they investigate his whereabouts and discover the secrets behind his capture.
The new drama will be loosely centred around the true story of Prisoner X, a Mossad agent who died in an Israeli prison while facing treason charges.
Ben Zygier - an Australian-Israeli citizen working for the Mossad - is thought to have hanged himself in his maximum security cell in 2010. He had revealed state secrets to unconfirmed enemies of the nation.
However, his imprisonment and death was not widely known until February 2013, becoming headline news within Israeli media.
Prisoner X will focus on two women left behind after an Israeli agent disappears in solitary confinement, reports Variety.
Producers describe the drama as a spy-thriller version of Thelma & Louise, in which two women fight for a man who has disappeared. Together they investigate his whereabouts and discover the secrets behind his capture.
- 12/20/2013
- Digital Spy
Sky1 HD‘s latest original drama is a two-part adaptation of the John Meade Falkner adventure novel, Moonfleet. Ray Winstone will play Elzevir Block, the leader of a band of smugglers in 18th century Dorset, England. He’s joined by Aneurin Barnard (The White Queen, Emanuel And The Truth About Fishes) who plays a young newcomer to the smuggling crew as they embark on the hunt for a lost diamond. Ashley Pharoah, creator of the original Life On Mars, wrote the adaptation that also stars Ben Chaplin, Omid Djalili and Sophie Cookson. Shooting starts this summer in Dublin. Company Pictures, producer of Starz/BBC series The White Queen, is producing Moonfleet in association with Ireland’s Element Pictures. Bletchley Circle‘s Andy de Emmony directs and Endeavour‘s Dan McCulloch produces. Exec producers are Huw Kennair-Jones, John Yorke, Claire Ingham, Pharoah and Patrick Spence. Winstone is up next in Darren Aronofsky...
- 6/10/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
John Yorke is a former head of drama for both the BBC and Channel 4 and has worked on or commissioned shows as diverse as EastEnders, Life on Mars, The Archers, The Street and Shameless. He's currently managing director of independent TV producers Company Pictures. His new book, Into The Woods: A Five Act Journey Into Story (Particular, £16.99) is an in-depth study of and guide to stories and narrative and a primer for any budding screenwriter (or any kind of writer). We asked him for his 10 top tips for telling stories.
- 4/3/2013
- The Independent - Film
From Casablanca to The Killing – the elements of a great script are essentially the same. John Yorke – who is responsible for some of the most popular recent British TV dramas – reveals how and why the best screenwriting works
Once upon a time, in such and such a place, something happened." In basic terms that's about it – the very best definition of a story. What an archetypal story does is introduce you to a central character – the protagonist – and invite you to identify with them; effectively they become your avatar in the drama. So you have a central character, you empathise with them, and something then happens to them, and that something is the genesis of the story. Jack discovers a beanstalk; Bond learns Blofeld plans to take over the world. The "something" is almost always a problem, sometimes a problem disguised as an opportunity. It's usually something that throws your...
Once upon a time, in such and such a place, something happened." In basic terms that's about it – the very best definition of a story. What an archetypal story does is introduce you to a central character – the protagonist – and invite you to identify with them; effectively they become your avatar in the drama. So you have a central character, you empathise with them, and something then happens to them, and that something is the genesis of the story. Jack discovers a beanstalk; Bond learns Blofeld plans to take over the world. The "something" is almost always a problem, sometimes a problem disguised as an opportunity. It's usually something that throws your...
- 3/16/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Kate Harwood has been named BBC Production's head of drama. The former EastEnders executive producer will now be in charge of ongoing serials and series produced in-house at the corporation, including its flagship soap, Holby City and Casualty, The Guardian reports. Harwood is currently BBC's controller for series and serials and replaces current boss John Yorke. Yorke announced his departure in October to become head of Company Pictures, which produces dramas including Shameless and Skins. Director of drama production Nicholas Brown also left to join Sam Mendes's (more)...
- 12/15/2012
- by By Beth Curtis
- Digital Spy
John Yorke, controller, drama production at the BBC, is leaving the British public broadcaster to lead independent producer Company Pictures, whose hit shows have included Skins and Shameless. The BBC veteran, who has been at the broadcaster since 1986 interrupted by an 18 months stint at Channel 4 and has overseen such big shows as EastEnders, will take on a managing director role at the firm that is part of All3Media, Britain's largest independent TV producer. He will take Company Pictures from founders George Faber and Charlie Pattinson, who are leaving to set up another venture at All3Media. Yorke worked
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- 10/25/2012
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lorraine Newman is to take on the role of EastEnders's executive producer in a permanent capacity, it has been announced today (June 27). Newman, who has been part of the EastEnders team for nearly 20 years, accepted the position on an acting basis in March after her predecessor Bryan Kirkwood decided to stand down. She will now take up the permanent position with immediate effect. Speaking of her appointment, Newman commented: "It is an absolute honour to be taking on the role of executive producer at EastEnders on a permanent basis. "My passion for EastEnders was ignited during my first stint on the show as script secretary at the age of 19 and this passion has continued to grow ever since. I am looking forward to leading a talented creative team, cast and crew into 2013." John Yorke, Controller of BBC Drama Production (more)...
- 6/27/2012
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
We'll find it hard to defend the Falklands now we don't have an aircraft carrier, and we just can't resist showing ourselves in a bad light
✒As the Falkland islanders prepare to vote in their referendum, I met at a party a very, very senior military officer – someone you've certainly seen on television. I asked if it was true the Argentinians had no intention of trying to retake the islands by force, and he said he hoped not. But they could certainly cause havoc. All they needed to do, he said, was to land special forces on the islands and blow up the airfield. "Now that we have no aircraft carriers, there is absolutely no way we could send troops and materiel. We would be absolutely powerless." I have no doubt this thought has occurred to the Argies too.
✒There's been much sympathy for David and Samantha Cameron after it...
✒As the Falkland islanders prepare to vote in their referendum, I met at a party a very, very senior military officer – someone you've certainly seen on television. I asked if it was true the Argentinians had no intention of trying to retake the islands by force, and he said he hoped not. But they could certainly cause havoc. All they needed to do, he said, was to land special forces on the islands and blow up the airfield. "Now that we have no aircraft carriers, there is absolutely no way we could send troops and materiel. We would be absolutely powerless." I have no doubt this thought has occurred to the Argies too.
✒There's been much sympathy for David and Samantha Cameron after it...
- 6/15/2012
- by Simon Hoggart
- The Guardian - Film News
The Archers' acting editor John Yorke has dismissed claims that he is planning to revamp the Radio 4 soap. Recent press reports have suggested that the rural programme will become "darker and bigger" in the vein of BBC One's EastEnders as part of a change in style. Yorke - executive producer on the Albert Square soap between 1999 and 2002 - is currently overseeing The Archers while editor Vanessa Whitburn is on leave. Writing in a BBC blog post today (June 6), Yorke denied suggestions that he is plotting to "smash up Ambridge like some bloated property developer and turn it into Albert Square". He commented: "It's a great story - but it isn't true. The source was a fairly innocuous interview with Radio Times about what's coming up on the show. "A few months ago, Radio 4 had very kindly asked me (more)...
- 6/6/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
The Archers is to be revamped, ex-EastEnders boss John Yorke has said. The rural Radio 4 soap is set to become "darker and bigger" in the vein of BBC One's EastEnders. Yorke - executive producer on the Albert Square soap between 1999 and 2002 - is currently overseeing The Archers while editor Vanessa Whitburn is on leave. "My thing has always been that every episode needs to have an arc and listeners should be left wanting more," he told the Radio Times. "You need a cliffhanger to drive the story in a new direction." Of The Archers becoming more like EastEnders, Yorke explained: "The fundamentals of character and storyline (more)...
- 6/6/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood is leaving the soap, it has been announced. The show's boss will stand down from his position next month after two years in charge. EastEnders' experienced series producer Lorraine Newman will then take over his role on an acting basis. Kirkwood commented: "Being the executive producer of EastEnders is one of the most exciting jobs in TV, but it's also the most exhausting - so after two years, I've decided it's time to leave Walford. "It's been a thrill to work with such talented people such as John Yorke, Simon Ashdown and our amazing cast and crew. Most of all it's been a privilege to tell stories that have genuinely had the nation talking. I'm going to take with me some brilliant friends and memories." He continued: "I'm (more)...
- 3/12/2012
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
A former EastEnders producer has defended soap storylines which tackle difficult subjects, describing them as "invaluable" in educating younger viewers. John Yorke, senior drama executive at the BBC, argued that plots such as Emmerdale's assisted suicide saga and the sexual exploitation plot in EastEnders highlight sensitive real-world issues in an entertaining way. "If you ringfence soaps and say they are not a place for adult issues, removing them, it would be like making children's programmes," Yorke told The Guardian. "It would be like (more)...
- 6/17/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
A former EastEnders producer has defended a number of recent controversial soap storylines, describing them as "invaluable" in educating younger viewers. John Yorke, senior drama executive at the BBC, argued that plots such as Emmerdale's assisted suicide saga and the sexual exploitation exposé in EastEnders highlight sensitive real-world issues in an entertaining way. "If you ringfence soaps and say they are not a place for adult issues, removing them, it would be like making children's programmes," Yorke told The Guardian. "It would be like taking the wolf out of Little (more)...
- 6/17/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
In case you missed them, here are the 15 most popular topics over the past week at We Love Soaps TV:
1. We Love Soaps TV 2.58 Billy Warlock
2. Nominations: 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
2. Photos: Roger Howarth Returns to One Life To Live May 13
4. We Love Soaps TV 2.63 Thom Racina & Greg Turner
5. News: Teary Susan Lucci, Univision Mobile Soap, Poor Damon
6. News: Beth Maitland, Constance Towers, David Essex, Kym Marsh
7. News: Brothers & Sisters Canceled, Dark Shadows Release Date Set
8. News: Bo & Nora Tragedy, ABC Pickups, Freddie Smith, Amanda Robb
9. We Love Soaps TV 2.57 Trailer Made's Laura Thomas
10. News: John Yorke, Daytime Landscape, Taylor Momsen, Alison Sweeney
11. News: Colleen Zenk, Daytime TV Landscape, Telenovelas, Hoff
12. Gotham & Venice Nomination for Daytime Emmy Award!
13. News: Ronn Moss, Trevor Donovan, Colin Egglesfield
14. Daytime Emmy Nominations By Show
15. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
You can also catch up on the latest episodes of our web series,...
1. We Love Soaps TV 2.58 Billy Warlock
2. Nominations: 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
2. Photos: Roger Howarth Returns to One Life To Live May 13
4. We Love Soaps TV 2.63 Thom Racina & Greg Turner
5. News: Teary Susan Lucci, Univision Mobile Soap, Poor Damon
6. News: Beth Maitland, Constance Towers, David Essex, Kym Marsh
7. News: Brothers & Sisters Canceled, Dark Shadows Release Date Set
8. News: Bo & Nora Tragedy, ABC Pickups, Freddie Smith, Amanda Robb
9. We Love Soaps TV 2.57 Trailer Made's Laura Thomas
10. News: John Yorke, Daytime Landscape, Taylor Momsen, Alison Sweeney
11. News: Colleen Zenk, Daytime TV Landscape, Telenovelas, Hoff
12. Gotham & Venice Nomination for Daytime Emmy Award!
13. News: Ronn Moss, Trevor Donovan, Colin Egglesfield
14. Daytime Emmy Nominations By Show
15. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
You can also catch up on the latest episodes of our web series,...
- 5/15/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
BBC Exec Responds to All My Children, One Life To Live Cancellations
John Yorke, BBC's Controller of Continuing Drama and the man behind shows like Eastenders, said: "Our primetime soaps are much more resilient. Partly there are more people available to watch, but also they reach a wider demographic, so at their best they still offer something for everybody. All TV audiences have dropped here from a high of maybe 15 years ago, and some like Heartbeat and The Bill have been lost, but the survivors work well because they're properly funded and — most of the time — are actually pretty good."
The Happy Death of Soap Operas
Jennifer Grant writes: "Although it’s true that fewer women choose to – or can afford to – stay home during the early years of their children’s lives, and that 'housewives' were the audience for which these shows were created, there are still plenty of...
John Yorke, BBC's Controller of Continuing Drama and the man behind shows like Eastenders, said: "Our primetime soaps are much more resilient. Partly there are more people available to watch, but also they reach a wider demographic, so at their best they still offer something for everybody. All TV audiences have dropped here from a high of maybe 15 years ago, and some like Heartbeat and The Bill have been lost, but the survivors work well because they're properly funded and — most of the time — are actually pretty good."
The Happy Death of Soap Operas
Jennifer Grant writes: "Although it’s true that fewer women choose to – or can afford to – stay home during the early years of their children’s lives, and that 'housewives' were the audience for which these shows were created, there are still plenty of...
- 5/10/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
BBC drama boss John Yorke has spoken candidly about EastEnders' portrayal of working class life in the East End of London, admitting that the drama does not fully reflect real life but has an "emotional truthfulness". Speaking to Radio Times about the future of soaps, the Controller of BBC Drama Production conceded that the real East End has changed significantly since EastEnders was launched in 1985. However, he insisted that the Walford show should not stray too far from its roots. "Real life changes much more quickly than representations of it on television," Yorke commented. "Soaps reach a point where they have a really big decision to make - do they stay true to the original vision, or do they throw it away and adapt to a changing world? "My own feeling is that the truth lies somewhere in between. EastEnders' East (more)...
- 5/10/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Online show EastEnders: E20 has won a Webby award. The spinoff drama, which premiered on the EastEnders website in January 2010, fought off competition at the 15th Annual Webby Awards to take the top spot for the 'Best Online Drama'. EastEnders: E20 allowed viewers to get involved by sending in original tracks and remixes of the iconic EastEnders theme for use in the series. John Yorke, Controller of BBC Drama Production and New Talent and Executive Producer of E20, told the BBC upon hearing the news: (more)...
- 5/3/2011
- by By Kristy Kelly
- Digital Spy
Talkback Thames's head of drama Johnathan Young has landed a new job at the BBC, taking over from Casualty and Holby City's executive producer Belinda Campbell, it has been announced. Young - who was the final boss of ITV police drama The Bill - will succeed Campbell in the role after more than five years at Talkback, Broadcast reports. Campbell has chosen to leave the BBC in order to take up a new post as executive producer of Tony Jordan's independent production company Red Planet. BBC drama boss John Yorke today paid tribute to Campbell's work following her four-year stint in charge (more)...
- 2/9/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Controller of BBC Drama John Yorke has defended EastEnders' baby swap storyline, insisting that it follows in the tradition of the soap's history of hard-hitting plots. Nearly 6,000 complaints are known to have been received by the corporation over the show's tragic New Year story, which has seen Ronnie Branning switch her dead son with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) child after losing her baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids). Charities and campaign groups have claimed that the portrayal of a bereaved mother as unhinged is insensitive and offensive. The backlash has sparked rumours that the plotline could be brought to an early end, possibly as soon as April. Speaking to BBC News about the controversial story, Yorke commented: "Like any EastEnders storyline, the DNA of the show is very much to take big social issues and tell (more)...
- 1/7/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
BBC drama boss John Yorke has claimed that soap operas lose 5,000 viewers every time a "bad episode" is aired. The corporation's controller of drama production told The Guardian that serials like EastEnders have to maintain high standards as they face tough competition for viewers. "I can't remember a time when it's been more competitive," he said. "25 years ago there was little to draw your attention away from the soaps but now it's not just the multitude of other channels and the internet we're competing with, it's everything else too." He continued: "Back in the day, everything used to shut at 6pm and that's just not the case any more; people simply have more social lifestyles. There has been a decline in soap audiences just as there has been a decline in channel share but as a rule of thumb, I don't (more)...
- 8/16/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
John Yorke has claimed that EastEnders loses 5,000 viewers every time a "bad episode" is aired. The BBC controller of drama production told The Guardian that the soap had to maintain standards as it faced tough competition for viewers. "I can't remember a time when it's been more competitive," he said. "25 years ago there was little to draw your attention away from the soaps but now it's not just the multitude of other channels and the internet we're competing with, it's everything else too." He continued: "Back in the day, everything used to shut at 6pm and that's just not the case any more; people simply have more social lifestyles. There has been a decline in soap audiences just as there has been a decline in channel share but as a rule of thumb, I (more)...
- 8/16/2010
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
EastEnders producer John Yorke has revealed that Don Gilet was "ecstatic" about his character Lucas Johnson's murderous personality. Yorke was responding to criticisms from author and journalist Hannah Pool, who claimed that writers turned Lucas into a killer with little reasoning. Pool had suggested: "When Lucas first appeared and as a man of the cloth, I was really interested because religion plays a big part in many black communities. "But then he started killing people and my heart sank. I thought, 'When you have so few black male characters, is this really the best you can do?' "EastEnders very nearly had a credible, working black family and they ruined it by making Lucas a murderer. I feel that a whole family has been written off." Yorke said in response: "If you look at the history of Afro-Caribbean men (more)...
- 7/13/2010
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
A number of television executives have today expressed concern and disappointment over ITV's axing of The Bill, claiming that the industry will suffer following the loss of the show. Last month, it was announced that the police drama is to be dropped after 27 years on the air. Declining ratings were blamed for the decision. Speaking to The Guardian, controller of BBC drama production John Yorke questioned how new writing talent can be developed without ongoing serials like The Bill. Yorke commented: "Five years ago it was possible for talent to cut their teeth on Brookside, Dream Team, Family Affairs, Grange Hill. The last ten years you've seen us move from continuing drama reigning supreme to a time where it's had to accept reality and The X Factor - and realise that means we all have to work much harder. "The (more)...
- 4/12/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Controller of BBC drama production John Yorke has predicted that Barbara Windsor's departure from EastEnders could be an opportunity to move the soap forward. The TV boss, who was the Walford show's executive producer between 2000 and 2002, confirmed that he is looking on the bright side following Windsor's decision to leave her role as Peggy Mitchell. Windsor announced last October that she is to depart the programme after 15 years as Peggy. She will film her final scenes (more)...
- 2/16/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Controller of BBC drama production John Yorke has revealed that more online EastEnders spinoffs are likely to go ahead in the future. The soap's recent internet counterpart E20 - which focused on young Walford newcomers Zsa Zsa Carter (Emer Kenny), Leon Small (Sam Attwater), Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb (Ricky Norwood) and Mercy Olubunmi (Bunmi Mojekwu) - was a hit with fans after it launched online last month. Asked whether viewers can expect more online spinoffs in an interview with Walford Web, Yorke replied: "We hope so - we're incredibly pleased at how [E20's] (more)...
- 2/16/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Actor Shane Richie is to reprise his role as EastEnders' Alfie Moon later this year, it has been confirmed. The 45-year-old was last seen in the BBC soap on Christmas Day 2005 when Alfie and wife Kat (Jessie Wallace) drove off into the sunset together bound for America in their Ford Capri. He is due to return to filming in the autumn and will make his screen reappearance toward the end of the year. Speaking of his comeback, Richie said: "It's an honour and a privilege to be asked back to the iconic series of EastEnders which is at the top of its game! I'm looking forward to finding out what Alfie has been up to over the last few years but more importantly - what the future has in store for him." Controller of BBC drama production John Yorke commented: "Alfie is one of EastEnders' most loved and...
- 2/7/2010
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Holby City's executive producer Tony McHale is to stand down from his role, it has been announced. McHale co-created Casualty's sister show alongside Mal Young, wrote the first ever episode which aired in 1999 and served as the programme's lead writer, before opting to take a break several years later. He then returned in 2006 as executive producer. Speaking of his decision to stand down, he said: "I've had a terrific four years on Holby and am thrilled with what we've achieved. I'd like to thank cast, crew and production for all their hard work, talent and dedication. I know the show will go on from strength to strength." Controller of drama at the BBC John Yorke said: "It's been a privilege to work with him, and we will (more)...
- 12/14/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Mystery surrounds suggestions that Danny Dyer has been offered a role in BBC soap EastEnders, Digital Spy can reveal. The East-End-born 31-year-old - who is most noted for his role in soccer hooligan film Football Factory - claimed that he was being 'headhunted' for a part in the Walford-based serial after meeting with controller of BBC drama production John Yorke. More recently, Dyer said that he had scrapped plans to join the soap, despite bosses allegedly lining him up as the show's 'potential saviour'. However, a source told Digital (more)...
- 5/12/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Danny Dyer turned down a starring role in a British soap opera - because he was terrified of the huge amount of publicity the show receives.
The movie tough-guy was approached to appear in hit U.K. show EastEnders, which chronicles life in London.
But Dyer rejected the role, which was devised with him in mind - because the series' stars regularly make headline news in Britain.
He says, "I met John Yorke, controller of drama production. He asked if I would be willing to go in and shake up a few of the characters.
"He said they would write a synopsis and then take me out to dinner and anything I wanted to change, I could change, which gives me a bit of power.
"I quite like the idea of it. But actually, in reality, I just got cold feet. Just from having a meeting it's all over the newspapers and it gave me the horrors. Imagine if I went in it.
"With the EastEnders thing the whole publicity gets out of hand. It's like a whole new beast. It's not something I fancy. I don't want to write if off totally but at this point in my career I think it would be madness."...
The movie tough-guy was approached to appear in hit U.K. show EastEnders, which chronicles life in London.
But Dyer rejected the role, which was devised with him in mind - because the series' stars regularly make headline news in Britain.
He says, "I met John Yorke, controller of drama production. He asked if I would be willing to go in and shake up a few of the characters.
"He said they would write a synopsis and then take me out to dinner and anything I wanted to change, I could change, which gives me a bit of power.
"I quite like the idea of it. But actually, in reality, I just got cold feet. Just from having a meeting it's all over the newspapers and it gave me the horrors. Imagine if I went in it.
"With the EastEnders thing the whole publicity gets out of hand. It's like a whole new beast. It's not something I fancy. I don't want to write if off totally but at this point in my career I think it would be madness."...
- 4/19/2009
- WENN
Danny Dyer has scrapped plans to accept a role on BBC soap EastEnders, it was revealed today. The Football Factory actor entered talks with controller of BBC drama production John Yorke last month. He later announced that he hoped to shed his "hard man" image on the programme. However, Dyer has now called a halt to the career move after realising that he would be unable to cope with the press scrutiny which surrounds the Walford-based show. "I quite liked the idea of it. But actually, in reality, I just got cold feet," he told the Daily Star Sunday. "Just (more)...
- 4/19/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Football Factory actor Danny Dyer is reportedly being lined up for a role in BBC soap EastEnders. The 31-year-old, who played Tommy Johnson in the football hooligan film, recently met with controller of BBC drama production John Yorke to discuss a potential role on the show. A source told The Sun: "Danny is ideal for EastEnders. He's actually from the East End (more)...
- 3/19/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
LONDON -- Channel 4 is turning its back on big-budget period drama and bleak storytelling to focus instead on more upbeat humorous and contemporary shows, incoming drama head John Yorke said Wednesday. Yorke said at a conference in London that the network is abandoning its emphasis on such critically acclaimed projects as Longitude and the Kenneth Branagh starrer Shackleton and is instead looking to pick up the mood of such shows as Six Feet Under and Sex and the City. "One area I don't really want to look at anymore is period drama," Yorke said. "Things like 'Shackleton' and 'Longitude' were very good, but we need to concentrate on modern, urban and contemporary. There's also a lot of bleak stuff. I've read an above-average number of scripts that end with the central character killing themselves, their children or the rest of the family. I don't really want to sit through drama that's telling me life is terrible."...
- 5/22/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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