C4 drama boss exits

Beth Willis

The head of drama at UK public broadcaster Channel 4 is leaving to join The Forge, the UK indie behind the network’s shows Ackley Bridge and National Treasure.

Beth Willis joined C4 as deputy head of drama in 2012 and was promoted to the top job in the department following Piers Wenger’s move to the BBC in 2016.

Willis has joined London-based The Forge as partner, having commissioned series such as Kiri, The End of the F****** World, National Treasure, The State, Ackley Bridge, No Offence, Born to Kill, Humans and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt while at C4.

Before joining C4, Willis worked at the BBC as co-executive producer on the relaunch of Doctor Who with Matt Smith. She also co-executive produced Eric & Ernie, written by Peter Bowker and starring Victoria Wood, during her time with the Beeb.

Prior to that, she worked at Kudos Film & Television under former CEO Jane Featherstone, where she produced the first two seasons of Ashes to Ashes for the BBC.

As well as Ackley Bridge and National Treasure, The Forge’s production credits include Kiri, The Last Post, The Miniaturist and Collateral. The company’s most recent production to be greenlit is Dark Money, a four-part series for BBC1, written by Levi David Addai.

Ian Katz, director of programmes at C4, said: “Beth Willis has been an inspirational head of drama, shaping the channel’s diverse and award-winning slate with impeccable taste and an unerring eye for how to tell a compelling story.

“In particular, she has been a relentless champion for new writers and ideas that other broadcasters would never make – just what Channel 4 drama should be. We look forward to working with her in the next phase of her career.”