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Kate Oates has been named Head of Drama Productions at BBC Studios.
Earlier this morning in the UK, we revealed Parish had quietly stepped down from her role as Head of Drama at the BBC’s commercial arm. In effect, she’s replaced by Oates, who has been promoted from her current role as Head of Continuing Drama.
A BBC spokesperson said Oates was adopting a “slightly different slate of programs” to Parish’s shows, which included Bella Ramsay drama Time. She will retain oversight of flagship soap EastEnders, plus returning series Casualty, Father Brown, Sister Boniface, River City and Pobol Y Cwm and new comedy-drama Anfamol.
Oates role will lead see her take on the UK’s biggest drama production hub outside London with bases in England, Scotland and Wales. Her team will oversee Silent Witness when it moves to the West Midlands, along with a slate of drama developments for both the BBC and domestic and international networks and platforms and the BBC Studios casting department. They’ll also develop a UK training strategy for scripted TV production within BBC Studios.
Oates will report to Mark Linsey, President, Scripted Productions. Her team now comprises BBC Studios Drama Productions Creative Director Deborah Sathe and Director of Production Siân O’Callaghan. Sathe will overseeing production, manage the slate of new developments and lead the training initiative. O’Callaghan oversees all production, and leads the strategic and business planning.
Oates joined BBC Studios in 2018 as a Senior Executive Producer. Prior to that, she produced ITV’s Coronation Street and Emmerdale, which makes her the only person to helm all three of the UK’s top continuing dramas.
“Kate has a proven track record as a creative leader of outstanding, award winning popular drama,” said Linsey. “She already demonstrates her passion and commitment to talent and storytelling across the UK and I know she is going to deliver more new drama in this wider role.”
Oates added: “I’m beyond delighted to move into the role of Head of Drama Productions at BBC Studios. Together with my incredible team, we are looking forward to creating new dramas to exist alongside our already iconic brands, as well as innovative training opportunities that we believe will benefit our industry as a whole.”
Oates and her senior team take up their roles with immediate effect.
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