'EastEnders': Lorraine Newman to be permanent executive producer
Published Jun 27 2012, 13:08 BST | By Daniel Kilkelly
© BBC Pictures
Newman, who has been part of the EastEnders team for nearly 20 years, accepted the position on an acting basis in March after her predecessor Bryan Kirkwood decided to stand down. She will now take up the permanent position with immediate effect.
Speaking of her appointment, Newman commented: "It is an absolute honour to be taking on the role of executive producer at EastEnders on a permanent basis.
"My passion for EastEnders was ignited during my first stint on the show as script secretary at the age of 19 and this passion has continued to grow ever since. I am looking forward to leading a talented creative team, cast and crew into 2013."
John Yorke, Controller of BBC Drama Production and New Talent, added: "Over the last few months, Lorraine Newman has steered the show through a period of considerable change, and she's done an amazing job positioning the show for one of the most exciting autumns I can remember.
"Lorraine has been part of EastEnders for nearly 20 years, and is the first executive producer to have occupied every editorial role on the show. Starting as a script secretary she has risen through the ranks, finding herself as series producer and second in command for the last seven years.
"With her depth of experience, her passion for the programme and her commitment to talent on-screen and off, she's the perfect person to take EastEnders forward."
Kirkwood, who was executive producer for two years, recently returned to Lime Pictures to expand its reality and scripted programming.
Its the script writers that need a kick up the backside,their recent story lines are from "Fantasy Land"
June 30th 2012 at 3:49pm
Yeah he did intoduce ann mitchell as cora but also changed bens head and complete character at the same time. The rubbish baby swap plot was dreamt up by him and he brought in more moons than the writers had personalities for. He hired the worst actress ever to kill stone dead the idea that dot had a legendary sister. The masoods got bitter screamy and boring after diedrick so successfully introduced an entertaining family unit. Kat and alfie returned .. Ill stop there with kirkwood era!
June 28th 2012 at 8:51pm
Newman has had so many years experience of the fabric of the show I hope she takes it to the classic years. I don't follow every episode now unfortunately kirkwood has ruined the show completely and I hope it recovers. Julia smith created a wonderful show at the time I agree with kelibro that it would be great to see contemporary issues tackled. Television has changed so much since eastenders began it was new and exciting challenging what was broadcast it too has become cliched and repetitive and needs to be challenged by new dramas or it will become tv history itself. It needs to redifine its place on the tv landscape and become challenging again and embrace the issues of our society today rather than go over old storylines again and again. Good luck to newman I hope her appointment will be great for the show and erase the work of kirkwood.
June 28th 2012 at 1:00am(+2 likes)
He hasn't ruined it. He did a lot of positives as well as some negatives. Maybe he ruined it for you but for a lot of people he hasn't.
June 28th 2012 at 3:35pm(+1 like)
The show has been outstanding over the last few weeks and I think that appointing a new EP with so much experience in EastEnders can only build on its recent success.
June 27th 2012 at 11:01pm
The show has become too much of a formulaic soap over the years and needs to return to its roots as a contemporary drama reflecting real life as we know it. Albert Square seems to be set on Mars these days the amount of relevance it has to the real world. And so many of the plots are inconsequential and irrelevant. Once it was a show that bravely tackled contemporary issues, enlightening and challenging its audience. Although I appreciate the increase in lighter moments and comedy over the last year, the show has lost its relevance and has become a filler show in the TV schedules. It need to start saying something again; that will get it back to being something great.
June 27th 2012 at 9:29pm(+1 like)
I do agree, EastEnders could be a little more gritty and less soapy with its storylines. Back when the show started, we had families out of work, recession was biting Britain etc. In 2012, Britain is again in recession, Where is the character that is representative of the struggle that a lot of people are having?
Why aren't Christian or Syed talking about gay marriage? I don't mean bang on about it, but even mention it.
A storyline on terrorism. This is the East End of London. A terrorist attack or a suspected terrorist attack. What that would do to the community.
I agree, the show could do more to root itself back into reality. I do enjoy a lot of the storylines that the show does, but yeah there is room to be more relevant, a slice of life as the creator Julia Smith called it.
June 27th 2012 at 10:50pm
Bianca represents a single mother with financial difficulties due to lack of work as heather and billie did, and lastly Ian beale who had it all and now has lost it which is a true representation of alot of entrepreneurs today, i think these characters repersent struggles nowadays.
June 27th 2012 at 11:11pm
It's the most unrealistic of all the soaps and still hasn't stepped out of the dark ages, jeez no one hardly ever steps out of the square let alone anywhere else and they all work on their own doorsteps for pittance! All soaps are guilty but EE is the worst, a slice of London life it is not!
June 28th 2012 at 12:38pm
Steve_Soapbox I agree with you entirely! EE was previously a voice and an accurate representation of real-life issues and people, now it's just a fantasy world full of pointless stories and characters. Lorraine knows what made it great, whether or not she can reproduce that greatness remains to be seen.
June 28th 2012 at 12:43pm
Less realistic than Hollyoaks? Seriously?
June 28th 2012 at 3:36pm(+1 like)