BBC Worldwide has today confirmed that Jane Tranter will join the company next year as EVP Programming and Production, driving forward its U.S. scripted and reality business from its Los Angeles base.

 

Tranter will take joint responsibility for BBC Worldwide's North American production business in LA and New York with Paul Telegdy, EVP Content & Production USA. She will report to both Wayne Garvie, Managing Director Content & Production, and Garth Ancier, President BBC Worldwide America.

 

Garvie said: "Jane Tranter is one of the most gifted television executives of her generation. She will be a beacon for British talent looking to succeed in the US. Jane and Paul Telegdy will form one of the most innovative, energetic and successful partnerships in Hollywood and take our existing American production business to another level."

 

Ancier added: "Jane has made a truly exceptional contribution to scripted television, not only in the UK, but worldwide. She has developed and overseen some of the most iconic dramas of the decade, many of which were co-produced with U.S. partners and enjoyed tremendous success in the States.

 

"Whether formatting UK shows for U.S. audiences, or nurturing close ties with top writing talent, Jane is the perfect person to lead our expansion into drama and comedy, and we're tremendously fortunate to have her."

 

BBC Director of Vision, Jana Benett, added: "Jane Tranter has been an unequalled force in British drama. Over the years I have worked with her, BBC Drama has gone from strength to strength. She has reinvented family drama in Dr Who, Robin Hood and Merlin and launched acclaimed contemporary series such as Spooks Life on Mars as well as Cranford. She stands for bold decision making and backing the best work from writers, performers and directors, across the range of scripted output: from the single drama to classic adaptation to cutting edge comedy and Film. She will be a great addition to the vibrant world of US television."

 

On taking up the role, Jane said: "I am thrilled to be returning to production and working with BBC Worldwide. Paul has already established a cracking pace and area of excellence out there, and I know that we have a huge and exciting task on our hands, and that we'll have great fun tackling it and am very pleased to be able to make the move to US drama whilst staying within the BBC family.

 

"I am hugely grateful for the opportunities, excitements and amazing colleagues, both in and outside the BBC over these past years."

Tranter will leave her current position as Controller, Fiction for BBC public service at the end of this year, taking up her new position on January 1 2009. She will be stepping down from her current commissioning role with immediate effect to be replaced by Ben Stephenson but will continue to add strategic input to BBC Fiction as a whole until she leaves at the end of the year.

 

Chris Charlton/Mark Macdonald