Tuesday, October 9, 2012

EMMERDALE Producer Stuart Blackburn Moving (Back) To CORONATION STREET

Stuart Blackburn has been named as the new producer of CORONATION STREET, effective January 2013, taking over the role from Phil Collinson, who has been in the role since 2010. This marks a return to the Street for the TV producer who originally started off as a story editor for ITV's longest running soap opera.

Blackburn moved from CORRIE to EMMERDALE in 2009 as story editor and was responsible for some of the West Yorkshire soap's most challenging storylines, including Ashley’s abuse of his father, Sandy, Jackson’s assisted suicide and the current Cameron, Chas and Debbie love triangle.

Now the producer of the series, Blackburn will oversee the live episode to mark the 40th anniversary of EMMERDALE before heading up the road to Manchester to begin his new role at CORRIE.

Blackburn, whose writing credits include THE BILL, DOCTORS and CASUALTY, said he was thrilled about the change.

Life just couldn't get any better: I'm in the very privileged position of producing EMMERDALE's hour-long live episode to celebrate the program's 40th birthday and I get to produce CORONATION STREET too. CORONATION STREET also has a place in my heart, as I believe passionately in story telling, and although I recognise it’s a massive responsibility, I have the best job in the world.

Collinson, who formerly worked on DOCTOR WHO, will stay in Manchester as he is set to move into a developing role working on new ITV dramas. In his three years working on CORONATION STREET, Collinson has produced almost 750 episodes including the 50th anniversary week, with its tram crash disaster, Peter’s torrid affair with Carla and Kirsty’s domestic abuse towards Tyrone.

Collinson was sad to be leaving his current role but felt the timing was right.

It's been an honor to produce CORONATION STREET and I'll be sad to leave. But the drama can only stay at the top of its game if the Producer is re-energized every two to three years.

No comments:

Post a Comment