Berridge Steps Down As EastEnders Executive Producer
By Larry Jaffee
Borehamwood, England - After more than two years on the job, Louise Berridge has decided to step down as executive producer of EastEnders, it was announced Sept. 21.
Mal Young, BBC controller of continuing drama series, paid tribute to Berridge. He said: "This must be the toughest programme-making role on British TV.
Louise has done a superb job, overseeing some of the most talked about telly moments of the last three years.
"It's a relentless job, both as manager and lead creative of over 200 hours of prime-time drama, in a very public spotlight.
"There are not many people talented or resilient enough to handle this job, and Louise has proved herself one of the few. Without Louise, there'd be no Alfie Moon, no Dennis Rickman.
"At a time of all channels losing audience share, she has helped EastEnders keep its share stable year on year.
"We're sorry to see her leave her current position, but pleased that she's staying on in BBC Drama, as she will now be involved in a major new drama project.'
Berridge said: "I've loved every minute of my time on EastEnders, but felt it the right time to move on to new challenges. Plus I could do with a holiday!
"It's been a privilege to lead BBC One's number-one show through the last two years, even when faced with the unexpected.
"We now have some very exciting plans in place with forthcoming storylines, of which I'm very proud.
"I'll miss working with all the crew and cast, but I know EastEnders will be in good hands, and continue to go from strength to strength.'
The new executive producer will be Kathleen Hutchison, currently the executive producer of BBC One's weekly, hour-long medical drama Holby City, which featured Michael French (David Wicks) from 1999-2001, during which Hutchison was working on that show. So who knows? Maybe she'll be able to entice French to come back to EastEnders since David is often mentioned by fans as a character they would like to see back.
Mal Young said: "Kathleen has all the right qualifications to take on this job. She's a great leader, with an energy and passion for popular drama, along with lots of exciting ideas to help keep the viewers glued to BBC One's flagship show. She's played a huge part in the success of Holby City, and I'm thrilled Kathleen will now be moving over to EastEnders.'
Kathleen said: "This is my dream job. I'm a massive popular drama fan, having been hooked on EastEnders, Coronation Street and Brookside at various times over the years. Soap reaches the hearts of the nation with iconic characters and stories. I can't wait to get stuck in and create a few more on EastEnders. I'm overjoyed to have been given this opportunity,it's a great time to be taking the show forward into its 20th anniversary year.'
Hutchison's appointment represents something of a departure for EastEnders in that her recent predecessors,Berridge, John Yorke, Matthew Robinson, Corrine Hollingworth and Barbara Emile,all had worked on the series in other capacities earlier in their careers before landing the show's top spot.
On a personal note, I am sorry to see Louise go because she's always shown professional courtesies towards the Walford Gazette, empathised with us regarding the BBC America cancellation and gratitude that the American fans care so much for the programme.
We met in person at the studio twice, and also shared several productive transtlantic telephone calls.
I suspect that the U.K. press played a role in her departure, harping on declining ratings as a sign that she lost control of the show. I must say that two or three years is probably all that an executive producer on such a show running on all cylinders four times a week could be expected to endure. For Louise, she had to deal with tabloid hoopla over some of the castmembers' unfortunate transgressions both off and on the set, some too sordid to repeat here.
But on the other hand, her tenure was marked with the return of Den Watts, a feat that some her predecessors were only able to dream about.
She also found it necessary to respond publicly to recent criticism about the show following research conducted by the Daily Mirror newspaper.
In any case, I wish Louise well and will be closely watching her progress in her next BBC endeavour. And I also wish Kathleen well in her new post, and hope we can get together once she gets acclimated.
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