Middlechild announces expansion into the North East
February 16, 2022
BBC Daytime has commissioned Northern Justice w/t (10×30’), a new series produced by Middlechild for BBC One mornings (10.45am). The ten-part series will shine a light on the work of legal professionals working throughout the North East of England.
Northern Justice w/t will reveal what happens when ordinary people facing all sorts of extraordinary times in their lives turn to local lawyers in their hour of need. The series will use first-person testimony from both lawyer and client to tell personal, emotional, and compelling stories of people in dire straits and the legal professionals that step in to find ways the justice system can save them.
Each episode will explore two or three different stories, which will help viewers better understand the intricacies of the British justice system. It will feature a broad variety of cases, from problems at work, to property disputes, medical negligence, and pensioners falling foul of conmen. Away from the law, the series also reveals the human stories behind legal cases, with clients disclosing the background to each situation and the impact it has had on their lives.
The commission coincides with Middlechild’s successful application to the BBC’s Small Indie Fund This has provided the impetus for the Brighton based indie to move forward with planned new venture, Northern Child, which resulted in them opening a permanent office in the North East this month to house the Northern Justice w/t production team and newly recruited development staff, all drawn from local talent.
Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime and Early Peak says: “We are delighted to be working with Middlechild on their first series from their new North East base. The team have real commitment to not only reflecting authentic voices on screen, but also a passion for growing and developing off screen talent in the region.”
Andrew Eastel, Creative Director at Middlechild says: “We are really excited to be working on our first series for the BBC, one that will feature some remarkable stories and help people better understand how the justice system can provide solutions to the sorts of problems any of us might face in our lifetime. The North East of England is home to some of the best solicitors in the country and our cast of legal professionals will do whatever it takes to help their clients overcome adversity.”
Northern Justice w/t was commissioned by Carla-Maria Lawson, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak. The Commissioning Editors for BBC Daytime are Helen Munson and Rachel Platt. Andrew Eastel and David Sumnall are Executive Producers for Middlechild.