BBC Studios shifts Rafaele to drama role

The creative director of BBC Studios’ Documentary Unit has been named as the head of a new hub within the company’s scripted division.

Aysha Rafaele

Aysha Rafaele has been in her factual-leaning creative director role for six years, holding responsibility for programmes across observational documentaries, arts, history and factual drama.

She most recently developed five-part social history series Thatcher for BBC2, revealed last week, and was an exec producer on BBC show Murdered by my Father, which won the RTS Award for best single drama and a best actor Bafta for lead Adeel Akhtar.

Among her other credits are BBC1’s The Met: Policing London and BBC3 hit The Call Centre.

Rafaele will now set up a drama hub within BBC Studios’ scripted division, which is run by MD Nick Betts. Further details have yet to be confirmed, with a replacement creative director for BBC Studios’ Documentary Unit currently being sought.

Prior to joining the BBC, Rafaele was a commissioning editor at Channel 4 in the UK. Before that, she was a director of drama and documentary programming.

Rafaele said: “There are huge opportunities in both factual drama and the drama space more generally. By creating a drama hub in BBC Studios’ scripted department, I will be able to build on the work I’ve already been doing, including seeking out an exciting new generation of British drama writers, actors, directors – particularly from working-class and diverse backgrounds.

“There are vital and essential stories to tell from new and established talent that are not yet being told, and I’m excited to be part of helping make that happen in the world of drama.”

Betts, who took up his role at BBC Studios two years ago, added: “Aysha has championed and produced some outstanding drama over the last few years in the Documentary Unit and I’m really looking forward to working with her to build on that success and expand into new territories.”