Freeland quits BBC

Mark Freeland

Mark Freeland has left his position as controller of fiction and entertainment at the BBC, C21 understands.

Freeland’s decision comes as the public broadcaster prepares to launch its new BBC Studios division tomorrow.

He told BBC staff today that BBC Studios director Mark Linsey’s plans for the new production outfit didn’t give him “the creative platform I need to be at my very best and add maximum value to the Studios project.”

Freeland said he “will not be taking his leadership role forward into BBC Studios when the new division launches tomorrow,” but added that he’d be announcing his next move soon.

As controller of fiction and entertainment for two years, Freeland oversaw the teams behind EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing, War & Peace, Silent Witness, Top Gear and Mrs Brown’s Boys. He sat on the BBC’s TV board and managed relationships for the BBC, such AMC/BBC America and Comic Relief.

Freeland’s exit follows several changes at the BBC’s production division as it prepares to launch BBC Studios, which was unveiled last year and will be able to produce programmes for non-BBC channels and compete with other production outfits.

In March, comedy commissioner Chris Sussman was upped to the role of head of comedy at BBC Studios, replacing Myfanwy Moore, who resigned in January. In that month, BBC Studios also appointed Anna Mallett as chief operating officer. Sussman’s replacement was also announced today.

In an email sent to staff today Freeland said: “For someone who never thought they’d bluff their way into the BBC, the two visits I’ve had here, leading first in commissioning and then production, have been a fantastic privilege and a real blast.”

Freeland’s BBC exec production credits include The Wrong Mans and as head of in-house comedy he oversaw shows including Miranda, Mrs Brown’s Boys, The Thick of It, Still Open All Hours, Citizen Khan and Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. Prior to the BBC, Freeland was at Hartswood Films, Sky and Planet 24.