Ambitious BBC plan to boost NI’s creative sector

At least twenty network drama and comedy series will be set in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, with a role for Northern Ireland to “lead on new commissions,” the corporation has said.

This devolution of editorial decision-making will double the number of co-commissions from Northern Ireland on the BBC’s network channels.

As well as recently announcing a second series of the Bloodlands, a new BBC Daytime serial crime drama set, also set in the Province, will be made with support from NI Screen.

The ‘Hope Street’ series will be set in the fictional Northern Ireland coastal town of Port Devine, starring Brid Brennan (Brooklyn) as Concepta, Des McAleer (The Crown) as Barry and Amara Karan (The Night of) as Alimah.

A major upgrade of BBCNI’s headquarters building in Belfast’s Ormeau Avenue is also taking place.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said it is anticipated that the changes will “cumulatively involve a minimum of £700 million additional spend outside London by 2027/28”.

He said: “Over the last year, the BBC – which has been an essential part of the UK’s culture, democracy and creativity for almost a century – has helped inform, educate and entertain all four Nations, as we have collectively faced some of our toughest moments in recent history. 

“Now, as we look to the future, we must play our part in supporting social and economic recovery; rebuilding the creative sector and telling the stories that need to be heard from all corners of the UK.”

Mr Davie added: “Our mission must be to deliver for the whole of the UK and ensure every household gets value from the BBC. These plans will get us closer to audiences... and develop and nurture new talent”.

Plans set out in the “Across the UK” blueprint, include a commitment to training.

It states:·“We will double our commitment to apprentices, supporting 1,000 apprentices in any year across the UK, piloting an Apprentice Training Agency in the West Midlands as part of the Digbeth regeneration plan.

“In parallel, we will explore with NI Screen and the NI Executive proposals to provide a tailored apprenticeship and training programme for a diverse range of younger entrants to the industry.”

• According to the BBC, “Hope Street will celebrate the warm-hearted and good-humoured people of [Port Devine] – as they build a future together rather than dwelling on the differences of the past.

“The series is set in the fictional town of Port Devine on the Northern Ireland coast and will focus on Port Devine’s police department – and the mysterious arrival of English Detective Constable Alimah Kahn, the first Muslim police officer in the town’s history.

“The character-led series combines a long-running serial narrative with self-contained crime stories in each episode.”

Filming begins later this month for the first series, which will air on BBC daytime and BBC One Northern Ireland in 2022.

READ: BBC announces new daytime crime drama set in Northern Ireland

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