THE man described as 'the secret hero' behind the new Doctor Who is returning to his home city of Manchester to develop new drama series for the BBC.
Former Dr Who producer Phil Collinson (pictured) will materialise in the city this spring as head of a newly-created drama hub.
His role will be to identify new projects and discover exciting new writers, stories and production companies for the corporation as it prepares to move more than 2,000 staff to the new mediacity:uk site at Salford Quays. He'll be based in Manchester before the move.
He said: "The four years I've spent producing Doctor Who in Cardiff have been incredibly rewarding and I've long wondered how I was ever going to prise myself away from such a thrilling show and inspirational cast and crew.
"The chance to return home to Manchester, though, and start something completely new, is irresistible.
"Manchester has always been an amazing centre for excellence in drama production and the chance to establish a formal BBC Drama base there, and build on the massive range of local talent, is incredibly exciting. I'm thrilled and honoured to be charged with this task."
Mr Collinson started his career in television in Manchester as script editor for drama serials at Granada, followed by stints as storyliner/script editor on Emmerdale.
He also worked on Peak Practice, Born And Bred, Linda Green and Sea Of Souls before becoming the producer for Doctor Who in January, 2004.
Miss him
Russell T Davies, the Manchester-based executive producer and writer of Doctor Who, said: "Phil has been the secret hero of Doctor Who for the past four years and we'll miss him more than I can say - but the most exciting thing about this new job is that so many more producers, writers and actors will get to work with him. I envy them."
BBC
chief creative officer, Peter Salmon said: "Phil Collinson is a terrific addition to a brilliant top team. His arrival also marks the BBC's renewed commitment to northern drama talent, at a time when its base in the north west of England is to be strengthened considerably throughout."
While Mr Collinson will fill a newly-created position, Greater Manchester already has a good reputation for new BBC drama.
Recent projects filmed in the region include Life On Mars and Cutting It, while a new drama, Mrs Inbetweeny, is set to start on BBC Three soon.
Mr Collinson is currently putting the final touches to the fourth series of Doctor Who but will not work on the fifth series, which is scheduled to be screened in 2010.
The appointment of a BBC drama head in Manchester follows the recent creation of a comedy hub.
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Dr Who's 'secret hero' returns home
February 05, 2008
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LookingForLogic, Stockport (06/02/2008 at 02:07)
Quays Mark, Salford Quays (06/02/2008 at 15:26)
The site now consists of 9 cranes with a 10th and 11th on the way (crane bases in place). Most of the concrete cores of the new BBC building look to be in place or started, rising to 9-10 storeys (maybe more) for the highest cores. The cores are currently being surrounded by concrete pillars up to 4 storeys currently.
The land for the taller buildings off to the side of the main BBC building (right from the Lowry Centre side) is still being dug and prepared but more temporary cabins are in place off Broadway (the road that runs through the back of the Quays) presumably to house more MediaCity:UK project staff and a contingent of the BBC (cameramen) looking at the latest articles across the internet.
The current phase of the build occupies 35-40 acres (next to the City Lofts flats) with other phases planned across the water on the Imperial War Museum side.
The overall site is something of the order of 200 acres but no visible signs of development has started outside the main phase 1 area currently. No doubt this will depend on discussions with other media companies being persuaded to join the MediaCity:UK estate.
For a photographic timeline for December / February and beyond (and pictures back to May of last year), go to Google and search on ‘BBC Salford Quays Approved - Media City : UK whitfield’ in Google or goto ‘www.mawhitfield.co.uk/mcuk.htm’.
Judging be the pace of the development, there is a big push on to meet the 2010/11 date for the first phase completion.
Those currently thinking about a career in the media by way of a chosen degree (media studies, photography etc.) might be one of the 15,500 new jobs to be created between now and 2011 in the first phase of this build. Also, the price of properties (and especially flats) in the area will almost certainly rise as a result of the considerable development occuring in this location with new flats being built currently.
I have worked as an IT Manager in Salford Quays for 12 years and live in North Bolton. When I first came here, the skyline of the Quays area was relatively flat but now houses such buildings as The Designer Outlet (80 outlet stores), The iconic Lowry and Imperial War Museum Buildings and new flat developments which continue to be built in anticipation of the BBC move and general growth in this area.
Hope this update helps.