Kate Oates Named BBC Studios Head Of Drama Productions After Priscilla Parish Exit
09.11.2023 - 12:23
/ deadline.com
Kate Oates has been named Head of Drama Productions at BBC Studios.
Earlier this morning in the UK, we revealed Parish had quietly stepped down from her role as Head of Drama at the BBC’s commercial arm. In effect, she’s replaced by Oates, who has been promoted from her current role as Head of Continuing Drama.
A BBC spokesperson said Oates was adopting a “slightly different slate of programs” to Parish’s shows, which included Bella Ramsay drama Time. She will retain oversight of flagship soap EastEnders, plus returning series Casualty, Father Brown, Sister Boniface, River City and Pobol Y Cwm and new comedy-drama Anfamol.
Oates role will lead see her take on the UK’s biggest drama production hub outside London with bases in England, Scotland and Wales. Her team will oversee Silent Witness when it moves to the West Midlands, along witha slate of drama developments for both the BBC and domestic and international networks and platforms and the BBC Studios casting department. They’ll also develop a UK training strategy for scripted TV production within BBC Studios.
Oates will report to Mark Linsey, President, Scripted Productions. Her team now comprises BBC Studios Drama Productions Creative Director Deborah Sathe and Director of Production Siân O’Callaghan. Sathe will overseeing production, manage the slate of new developments and lead the training initiative. O’Callaghan oversees all production, and leads the strategic and business planning.
Oates joined BBC Studios in 2018 as a Senior Executive Producer. Prior to that, she produced ITV’s Coronation Street and Emmerdale, which makes her the only person to helm all three of the UK’s top continuing dramas.
“Kate has a proven track record as a creative leader of