Tag Archive: BBC Scotland

1. BBC announces new Richard Gadd drama Lions (w/t)

   22nd February 2024 5:32 pm Comments Off on BBC announces new Richard Gadd drama Lions (w/t)

   The BBC has commissioned Lions (working title), an original six-part drama about two men across the decades, written and created by the multi award-winning writer and performer Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Code 404). Set and filmed in and around Glasgow, the series is made by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) for BBC One, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer.

   When Niall’s estranged ‘brother’ Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives. Spanning almost forty years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers’ relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. It will capture the wild energy of a changing city – a changing world, even – and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question… What does it mean to be a man?

   Creator and writer Richard Gadd says: “When I first started talking about this project with the wonderful Tally Garner and Morven Reid, it was love at first sight. For them, anyway. I kept it purely professional. I am absolutely thrilled to be working with them in bringing Ruben and Niall to the screen alongside Lindsay Salt, Gaynor Holmes, and the incredible BBC team. It is a dream come true to be part of such a historic broadcaster with a reputation for bringing the best comedy and drama (and comedy-drama for that matter) to our screens. A dream which will likely wear off when it comes to tight writing deadlines and rainy shooting days on the streets of Glasgow. Just joking. I have never been happier to work on anything in my life and I would like to thank Tally, Morven, and Gaynor for everything – as well as the inimitable Lindsay Salt who has always been my biggest champion and to whom I will always owe a great debt of gratitude.”

   Tally Garner, executive producer for Mam Tor productions, says: “My fellow exec Morven Reid and I are unbelievably excited to be embarking on the journey of making the extraordinarily multi-talented Richard Gadd’s new show. Richard has that rare gift of creating characters who challenge your senses while stealing your heart, and in Ruben and Niall he has created something very special. We can’t wait to watch as director Alexandra Brodski brings them to life. Enormous thanks to the wonderful Lindsay Salt and Gaynor Holmes for their tireless support, and for allowing Ruben and Niall to steal their hearts too.”

   Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “Richard Gadd’s hugely imaginative, one-of-a-kind exploration of Niall, Ruben, and their intertwining lives is bold and brilliant storytelling that will make you sit up and lean in. This is a relationship you really haven’t seen before, and we can’t wait to unpack it across six surprising, moving, funny, highly original episodes.”

   Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland, says: “We’re delighted to be working with our BBC colleagues and Screen Scotland on this truly innovative drama. Richard’s writing for stage and for screen has always been visceral, dynamic and captivating and Lions’ youthful exploration of modern manhood is sexy, sad and shocking in equal measure. BBC Scotland is always looking for distinctive talent and projects to support and in Lions we’ve come on board with something very special.”

   Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland: “We are incredibly excited to be supporting this brilliant new show, Richard is an extraordinary and compelling talent and it’s fantastic that he is teaming up with the wonderful team at Mam Tor and the BBC.”

   Lions (w/t, 6×45) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and is created and written by Richard Gadd. The lead director is Alexandra Brodski (Somewhere Boy, Rivals) and the producer is Wendy Griffin (Limbo, The Lost King). Executive producers are Tally Garner and Morven Reid for Mam Tor Productions, Richard Gadd, and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC with Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland. Lions (w/t) is supported by Screen Scotland, and Banijay Rights will distribute the series internationally.

2. IWC to Make Shelf Isolation Series for BBC Scotland

   22nd April 2020 12:00 am Comments Off on IWC to Make Shelf Isolation Series for BBC Scotland

   IWC, a Banijay Group company, today announces it has been commissioned to make an 3×30’ series, Shelf Isolation for BBC Scotland.

    

   At a time where we are being asked to stay indoors, some of us may now be able to read more books, watch that classic movie and finally catch up on one of those box-sets our friends have been raving about. In this brand-new series, Shelf Isolation, award-winning author and cultural guru, Damian Barr, will be remotely meeting with some famous Scottish names to get their tips on what to read, watch and listen to. The line-up includes actor, Mark Bonnar (Quiz, Shetland, Line of Duty, Guilt, Catastrophe), comedian, actor, writer and director, Greg Hemphill (Still Game, Chewin’ the Fat), and award-winning crime writer, playwright and graphic novelist, Denise Mina.

    

   Damian will be interviewing his guests from his home via an app to record the discussion and giving us a window into their homes. In these intimate talks, he will not only be finding out what cultural pleasures our guests would most recommend to help get us through these troubled times, but also the emotional impact they have and how they reveal something about their own lives.

    

   Pauline Law, Executive Producer and Head of Factual at IWC said:“Damian’s passion for literature and culture, and his skills as an intelligent and nuanced interviewer make him the perfect presenter to get recommendations out of some of Scotland’s best-loved celebrities. We are looking forward to finding creative and innovative ways to produce this show for BBC Scotland in these extraordinary times.”

    

   Damian Barr said: “The books, films and music we love say so much about us – every time we pick up a novel or sit down to another box set, we add another chapter to the story of ourselves.  And they give us the chance to forget about the world around us and disappear somewhere else, if only for a while.  Right now we can’t leave home but we can still travel and meet new people and have new experiences in books, tv and film “Shelf Isolation” gives us a unique glimpse into how some well-known folk are self-isolating as they reveal what’s getting them through –  the classics they’re returning to or their latest box-set binge.  I’m delighted to be presenting this show and hope it gives viewers (and me!) inspiring, distracting and comforting recommendations. Join us!”

    

   “I’m looking forward to a new series of The Big Scottish Book Club later in the year but in the meantime,  “Shelf Isolation” will provide some much needed fun, humour but also insightful chat on what are the best books, movies and box sets to catch up on at this time” says Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland… “Damian Barr was a great host for the first series of Big Scottish Book Club and there couldn’t be anyone better to get some top names opening up about their favourite books and entertainment choices. ”

    

   The series has been commissioned by Gareth Hydes, commissioning editor BBC Scotland, and is Executive Produced by Pauline Law for IWC.  Shelf Isolation will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

3. IWC’s The Big Scottish Book Club Returns to BBC Scotland

   12th February 2020 12:00 am Comments Off on IWC’s The Big Scottish Book Club Returns to BBC Scotland

   IWC, a Banijay Group company, has been commissioned to make another 8×60’ series of arts show, The Big Scottish Book Club, for BBC Scotland. Produced in Glasgow, the second run follows the critical success of the first season.

   The Big Scottish Book Club will return with award-winning author Damian Barr, who once again will interview acclaimed writers from the worlds of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, to discuss their work on stage in front of a live audience. Filmed in different locations around Scotland, each episode has a theme, from love to loss, survival to betrayal, allowing Barr to delve into, not only the writer’s books, but their own personal stories.

   Series one had a high-profile line-up of guests from Scotland, the UK and the wider world including Ian Rankin, Graham Norton, Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, John Niven, Denise Mina, and Janice Galloway.

   Damian Barr said: “I’m delighted that viewers had as much fun watching The Big Scottish Book Club as we had making it. So many folk fell in love with books they might never have picked up otherwise and that’s just the best! I’m delighted that BBC Scotland is bringing us back for a second series. We promise more exclusive readings, book club visits and conversations with the best writers from across Scotland and around the world.”

   Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland Gareth Hydes said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to double the number of episodes of The Big Scottish Book Club when it returns to BBC Scotland later in the year for a second series.  Damian and the whole team delivered a terrific show full of world-class writers and poets. It was packed full of knowledge and all delivered with such an infectious enthusiasm that left us all wanting more.”

   Mark Downie, Creative Director of IWC said: “Damian’s exceptional talent and reputation as a writer and interviewer meant this literary show, made in Scotland, was host to truly world-class guests and international bestsellers. We look forward to continuing this high calibre exploration into the next series for BBC Scotland, which shares our passion for getting people talking about reading.”

   The Big Scottish Book Club was commissioned by Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor for BBC Scotland, and is Executive Produced by Mark Downie and Pauline Law for IWC. The Big Scottish Book Club is distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

4. Relisted: Scotland’s Home Of The Year Recommissioned – Hunt Is On For Next Winner

   24th June 2019 12:00 am Comments Off on Relisted: Scotland’s Home Of The Year Recommissioned – Hunt Is On For Next Winner

   Filming on series two of Scotland’s Home Of The Year begins in August and programme-makers IWC, a Banijay Group company, are looking for contenders. They want to hear from the owners of all kinds of properties, from urban studio flats to historic country piles. From Shetland to Stranraer and Orkney to Oban, prime properties from all over Scotland will be in the frame.

   Jo Street, Commissioner for BBC Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to announce a second series of Scotland’s Home of the Year. It isn’t just about showing off million-pound properties – it’s about truly celebrating what people have done to turn their house into a home, expressing their individuality through their design, flair and imagination. We saw some cracking houses over the course of series one and there are far more gems to uncover for series two.”

   The first series of Scotland’s Home of the Year became a hit with viewers after it was broadcast on the new BBC Scotland channel in April and May this year.

   The series has since seen its audience continue to grow on iPlayer with requests to view so far hitting more than a quarter of a million – 266,000.

   The format saw three judges – architect Michael Angus, interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones and lifestyle blogger Kate Spiers – travel the length and breadth of Scotland to discover architectural gems and unearth some stunning interiors. Both traditional and contemporary properties were put under the microscope and judges considered everything from a one-bedroom apartment to a centuries-old country castle … and everything in between.

   Each home was scored on functionality, distinctiveness and clever design and from seven finalists, one clear winner of series one was chosen – the White House in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, created by proud owner Lesley Smith and her late husband Mike.

   Series two will have a slightly longer run than series one with nine 30-minute heats, each featuring three properties from a specific part of the country. The 27 houses featured will then be whittled down to a final nine which will go under the spotlight in an hour-long final episode.

   Gerard Costello, Executive Producer, IWC said: “We are thrilled that Scotland’s Home of the Year is returning to the BBC Scotland channel. The first series was a joy to make and we have only scratched the surface of the beautiful and distinctive homes Scotland has to offer. We can’t wait to get started.”

   If you’d like to be considered for the next series of Scotland’s Home of the Year, get in touch at scotlandshomes@IWCMedia.co.uk

   For more information, contact BBC Scotland Press Office on PressOfficeScotland@bbc.co.uk,
   or 0141 422 6381.