Christopher Aird appointed Head of Drama, London
Mark Freeland, BBC Controller of Fiction & Entertainment, today announces the appointment of a new Head of Drama, London. Christopher Aird, currently Head of Drama Scotland, will be joining Hilary Salmon and Hilary Martin in the Head of Drama, London and North, BBC Production roles announced by Freeland in the summer.
Published: 26 September 2014
I'm really pleased that Chris, alongside Elaine, with all their experience and drive, will be a key part of the team that creates compelling stories that are loved passionately by audiences everywhere
Additionally, Elaine Collins will join Christopher from ITV Studios as Creative Director. Aird and Collins will be starting a new slate of in-house BBC drama development. Both new positions are designed to ensure BBC Drama Production has the most creative leadership, in order to produce ambitious and thrilling drama across the UK. Elaine will also continue to executive produce Shetland for ITV Studios on a part-time basis.
The executive producers of EastEnders, Holby City and Casualty will also be part of Aird’s new team.
Aird has extensive experience in the production and commissioning of TV drama, both at the BBC and in the commercial sector. He was a development executive in BBC Independent Drama Commissioning where he helped launch Spooks for BBC One and Bodies for BBC Two.
Christopher's producing credits include Spooks, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Hotel Babylon. He has been an executive producer on all four series of Call The Midwife and Prisoner's Wives among others. In 2012 Christopher was appointed Head of Drama for BBC Scotland where he has been executive producer on three series of Shetland, Field Of Blood and an adaptation of Stonemouth by the late Iain Banks, which begins filming this October.
An experienced drama developer, Elaine went onto launch and produce the successful detective series Vera for ITV One; now in its fifth run. She went onto sell two series of Shetland to BBC One, and a third series will return in 2015.
Gaynor Holmes will become Acting Head of Drama in Scotland, with responsibility for the further development of its exciting slate until a permanent successor to Chris is found. Gaynor is a highly experienced executive producer having worked on a number of productions including Monarch Of The Glen, Two Thousand Acres Of Sky, Waterloo Road, Ashes To Ashes, Garrow’s Law, The Field Of Blood, Reichenbach Falls and River City. Chris will work on the smooth transition of current Scotland projects.
Mark Freeland says: "Drama is right at the forefront of BBC Production's ambitions in the UK and globally. I'm really pleased that Chris, alongside Elaine, with all their experience and drive, will be a key part of the team that creates compelling stories that are loved passionately by audiences everywhere."
Christopher Aird comments: "I am tremendously excited to be taking on this new role at BBC Drama and thrilled Elaine will be joining me; she is one of the most creative drama executives in the country. I'm very proud of the projects we have been developing in Scotland. I believe the BBC is the best place for intelligent, independent creative voices to flourish. I would like my team to be an empowering home for brilliant writers, directors and producers to make world class TV drama."
Elaine Collins says: "I'm delighted to be joining Chris at the BBC. We formed a strong collaborative relationship at BBC Scotland, particularly on Shetland, and I'm excited about developing an ambitious and creative drama slate with him. The BBC has an outstanding reputation for drama all over the world and I'm looking forward to becoming part of that legacy."
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