Category: TV Drama

Date: 28.09.2004
Printable version

It was confirmed today (28 September 2004) that Mal Young is leaving the BBC to join 19 TV as Director of Drama.

Mal, Controller of Continuing Drama Series, joined the BBC as Head of Drama Series in 1997 and has overseen a number of successful titles including EastEnders, Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, Waking The Dead and Dalziel And Pascoe.

Alan Yentob, Creative Director and Director of Drama, Entertainment and CBBC, comments: "Mal has made a great contribution to BBC Drama.

"Over the last seven years he's developed shows which bear testament to his passion and commitment to popular drama.

"He's now got a new challenge in the USA. We'll miss him but we look forward to working with him in his new role."

Jane Tranter, Controller of Drama Commissioning, said: "Mal Young is one of television drama's best known and highly respected characters.

"His contribution to popular drama at the BBC has quite simply been immense - there is no doubt that we shall all miss him, but his new venture is a hugely exciting opportunity.

"He will be a great success and we look forward to working with him a different capacity in the future."

Mal said: "I've had the happiest and most fulfilling seven years at the BBC, but when Simon approached me about he and I working together, it was a no-brainer.

"We both aspire to make 'talk about TV' for big, mainstream audiences and the time feels right for us to take advantage of the many exciting opportunities, both in the UK and the States.

"I wasn't actively looking to leave the BBC, but this felt like the perfect fit."

Mal will not be leaving the BBC until the end of the year and in the interim Alan Yentob and Jane Tranter will be discussing next steps.