Lorraine Newman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1978 (age 46–47) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Producer,scriptwriter |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Employer | BBC (1997–2017) |
| Notable work | See below |
| Television | EastEnders |
Lorraine Newman (born 1978) is a Britishscriptwriter,television producer, and the executive producer of theBBCsoap operaEastEnders from 2012 to 2013.[1] Newman, who has worked onEastEnders for "nearly 20 years", received the role of executive producer when her predecessor stepped down in 2012.[2] Newman was also the executive producer ofBabs, a BBC biopic aboutDame Barbara Windsor.
"She knowsEastEnders like the back of her hand, so everyone feels very confident and happy because we're in safe hands. Lorraine knows the show and everybody knows Lorraine, so it doesn't feel like a new boss. You can trust her opinion on things because she knows the characters so well".[3]
Newman first began working on theBBCsoap operaEastEnders aged 19 as a script secretary and, according toJohn Yorke (Controller of BBC Drama Production and New Talent), is the first executive producer to have "occupied every editorial role on the show".[1]
In March 2012, it was announced that the then current executive producer ofEastEnders,Bryan Kirkwood was to step down,[4] with "experienced series producer" Newman taking over the role on a temporary basis.[4] Kirkwood said, "I'm delighted to leave the show in the capable hands of Lorraine Newman. Lorraine has been by my side every step of the way for the last two years and knows EastEnders inside out. I wish her and the show every future success".[4] In June 2012, it was announced that Newman would become the full-time executive producer.[1] Newman commented, "It is an absolute honour to be taking on the role of executive producer atEastEnders on a permanent basis. I am looking forward to leading a talented creative team, cast and crew into 2013".[1] Yorke said, "Over the last few months, 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. 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 takeEastEnders forward".[1] Her first episode aired on 16 July.[5]
One of Newman's first key tasks as temporary executive producer was to oversee production of aspecial episode featuring a live segment in which the character ofBilly Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) carries theOlympic Torch as an official torch bearer in the2012 Summer Olympics torch relay.[6] Carl Doran, creative head of the BBC’s Torch coverage, revealed theLondon Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) andEastEnders production team had worked for two years to organise this.[7] The episode was part of the official torch relay, meaning the torch made a special detour from London[8] to theEastEnders set at theBBC Elstree Centre,Borehamwood.[9]
Billy Mitchell was also involved in one of Newman’s most controversial storylines, in which his granddaughterLola Pearce (Danielle Harold) has her baby taken away by social workerTrish Barnes. Real-life social workers protested this "unhelpful portrayal",[10] with theBritish Association of Social Workers (BASW) calling the BBC "too lazy and arrogant" to correctly portray the child protection process, and saying that the baby was taken "without sufficient grounds to do so". Bridget Robb, acting chief of the BASW, said the storyline provoked "real anger among a profession well used to a less than accurate public and media perception of their jobs".[10]
Newman's first major cast change was reintroduction ofSharon Watts (Letitia Dean) in August 2012,[11] which Newman revealed had been a year in the planning.[12] Upon her return, Dean said that Newman was "very good at character insight".[13]Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe) departed in the same month[14] following the conclusion of the storyline ofHeather Trott (Cheryl Fergison)'s murder storyline, with Newman confirming the departure ofAnthony Moon (Matt Laspinskas) soon afterwards.[15][16] Newman later introducedAva Hartman (Clare Perkins), the secret daughter ofCora Cross (Ann Mitchell),[17] and Ava's sonDexter (Khali Best),[18] and also upgradedPoppy Meadow (Rachel Bright) from a recurring to a regular character.[19] Major departures under Newman’s tenure includeSyed Masood (Marc Elliott) andChristian Clarke (John Partridge) in November 2012[20] and villainDerek Branning (Jamie Foreman), killed off in the Christmas Day episode.[21][22]
On 29 July 2013, Newman left the post, withDominic Treadwell-Collins taking over. Her final episode aired on 5 December 2013[23] In 2018, she returned toEastEnders as a writer.[24]
| Year | Title | Role | Employer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | EastEnders | Script Editor/Secretary | BBC |
| 1998 | City Central | ||
| EastEnders: The Mitchells - Naked Truths | |||
| 2000–2001 | EastEnders | Script Producer | |
| 2000 | Thin Ice | Script Editor | |
| 2001–2003, 2005–2012 | EastEnders | Series Producer | |
| 2002 | Producer | ||
| 2003 | Perfectly Frank | ||
| Slaters in Detention | |||
| 2010–2011 | EastEnders: E20 | Series Producer | |
| 2012–2013 | EastEnders | Executive Producer | |
| 2012 | Billy's Olympic Nightmare | ||
| 2016–2017 | Babs |
