UKTV names Collie Cousins drama commissioner
March 26, 2018
UKTV the multichannel broadcaster, has appointed Philippa Collie Cousins as its first dedicated drama commissioner.
Reporting into Pete Thornton, Senior Commissioning Editor for scripted content, Collie Cousins will join UKTV in May and will oversee all upcoming original drama series for UKTV. Her arrival signals the continued expansion of the UKTV’s commissioning team as the total number of commissioned hours from indies is set to grow by nearly a third in 2018.
Collie Cousins is the BAFTA Award winning director behind The Deadness of Dad, starring Rhys Ifans and, as Head of Drama and Comedy Development at Hartswood West, Philippa worked on the multi-award-winning Sherlock whilst also seeking out and working with best of writing talent in the Nations and Regions. She won best European Director for her film Happy Now starring Jonny Rhys Myer and Paddy Considine. She is currently executive producing with Red Productions on a 10-part drama for the US called The Inside Game with American network AMC.
Collie Cousins said: “I am really looking forward to finding the best original drama for UKTV. Drama can and will go platinum in the UK because we have brilliant writers and directors working here. We have to be brave to break new ground and new narratives. My aim is to commission the best talent for UKTV.”