BBC acts on controller, orders Theroux

A temporary replacement for the outgoing controller of BBC2 and BBC4 in the UK has been appointed, while both channels have ordered new factual shows.

Adam Barker, who is currently an editorial exec for the two nets, will become acting controller at BBC2 and BBC4 and take up the role in March.

He will replace Janice Hadlow who is stepping down next month to take up the newly-created position of controller of special projects and seasons at the UK pubcaster, having run BBC2 since November 2008.

She has also headed up BBC4 since 2013, following Richard Klein’s departure for ITV.

BBC director of TV Danny Cohen said Barker’s appointment would ensure there was “no delay in commissioning decisions” and help “maintain momentum over the coming weeks” while a full-time replacement is sought.

Potential candidates could include Channel 4 head of factual Ralph Lee, the BBC’s head of documentaries for BBC1, BBC2 and BBC4 Emma Willis and BBC commissioner Kim Shillinglaw.

Meanwhile, BBC2 has ordered a new three-part factual series that sees presenter Louis Theroux explore Los Angeles.

The three episodes – In City Of Dogs (working title), In Life And Death (wt) and In Sex Offenders (wt) – will reveal the lesser-reported side of the US city and be made in-house by the BBC, with Sam Bagnall attached as exec producer.

Finally, BBC4 has commissioned Secrets of The Dolphin House, a one-off special about an experiment in the 1960s that saw a fully grown male bottle-nosed dolphin and a young woman live together for 24 hours a day in a flooded house.

The 1×50′ show is being produced by BBC In-House Productions and has been slated for broadcast later this year.