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Durham-based filmmaker selected for BFI London Film Festival Works-in-Progress showcase

Posted on 10 October 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

Harder Than The Rock, a music documentary from North East filmmaker Mark Warmington, is one of only five projects selected to take part in the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) Work-In-Progress showcase.

The music documentary tells the story of the UK’s first reggae band, Cimarons, and follows the band in their old age as they battle to keep the Cimarons dream alive and play to live audiences again, one last time. By diving into the historical and social context that connects Ireland and Jamaica, Harder Than The Rock explores the relationship between the Irish diaspora and the Windrush generation who lived alongside each other and faced similar prejudice in London, features interviews with all of the surviving band members, a live performance of their classic hits from the 1970s and exclusive archival footage from an incredible tour.

The in-person event took place on October 7 as part of the festival’s UK Talent Days focus, in partnership with the British Council, at London’s Picturehouse Central.

The event screened extracts from each project, with an introduction from its filmmaker to an invited audience of international buyers as well as UK sales agents and festival programmers, followed by a networking event. Clips from the films will be available online for a week from October 7 via a secure platform to an invited pool of international industry professionals. All projects are still in production, or in post, from filmmakers at debut or second feature stage.

Laura Purvis, Talent and Business Development Manager at North East Screen said: “It’s great to see Mark’s hard work and brilliant ideas paying off regionally and nationally. He is definitely a one to watch!”

Other films selected for the BFI LFF Works-in-Progress showcase include The Ceremony, dir-scr. Jack King; Low Rider, dir-scr. Campbell X; Smoking Shoes, dir. David Warwick; and A Winter’s Journey, dir-scr. Alex Helfrecht.

Jackdaw debuts with 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

Posted on 6 October 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

Jackdaw, the feature-length writing and directorial debut from North East filmmaker, Jamie Childs, which received support from the North East Production Fund, has debuted with 100% on the popular review site Rotten Tomatoes. following its worldwide premiere at Fantastic Fest.

Set in Hartlepool over the course of a single night, the crime drama follows a former motocross champion and army veteran (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) as he searches for his kidnapped brother.

The film stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man, The Haunting of Hill House) as the title character, with other household names including Jenna Coleman – known for her work in Doctor Who, The Sandman and Victoria – This is England star Thomas Turgoose and Game of Thrones star Rory McCann.

It has seen a £300,000 investment from the North East Production Fund, delivered by regional screen agency North East Screen on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), as part of their ambitious plans to make the region one of the UK’s leading film and TV production hubs.

Production of the film took place in the Tees Valley area and wrapped at the beginning of this year.

Since its debut at Fantastic Fest in Texas last month, the film has been receiving positive reviews with critics praising the cinematography and nuanced performance from the film’s cast.

The film was also the first feature to make use of the newly opened The Northern Studios in Hartlepool, currently the North East’s only large-scale film and TV studios.

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director for North East Screen, who manages the North East Production Fund, said: “Piloting JACKDAW through the North East Production Fund was an easy decision, it allowed us to not only support exceptional North East homegrown talent, but also showcase the North East in a different light for the big screen.

“We have world class talent, world class crew and world class locations here in the North East, and all of these are showcased in JACKDAW – a testament to the work we are doing to build on the growing screen industry in the region.”

To mark the film’s release in UK cinemas by Vertigo Releasing, a glittering star-studded premiere will take place in Tees Valley before a series of local screenings ahead of its release.

Watch the trailer for Jackdaw below

The BBC Small Indie Fund 2023 is now open for applications

Posted on 5 October 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

The BBC has announced the launch of its £1 million BBC Small Indie Fund 2024 to support a range of UK Indies, from start-up companies to more established Indies with ambitious growth plans.

The 2023 Small Indie Fund cohort included six North East production companies: Candle & Bell (Gateshead), MCC Media Limited (Sunderland), Middlechild Productions (Newcastle), Schnoobert Productions (Newcastle), Sea & Sky Pictures (Hartlepool) and Twenty Six 03 Entertainment (Gateshead). Hopefully the 2024 cohort will see more upcoming North East production companies named.

On the success of the North East companies in the 2023 cohort, North East Screen’s Head of Talent and Development, Lisa Laws said: “The region is full of talented creative businesses with an abundance of ideas, skills and incredible determination. The tide is beginning to turn with support for the screen industry in the North East, and funds such as this from the BBC will help to supercharge creative business development, making us a region to look out for nationally and globally.”

The fund, which has been running since 2020, backs talented small independent production companies with turnovers of less than £10million across factual, daytime, drama, comedy, entertainment and children’s TV genres, prioritising diverse-led companies and those based in the Nations and English regions. It is granted to companies based on the strength of their creative potential and aims to support growth and deliver sustainability within the company. Successful companies receive tailored support packages to help their development along with commissioning mentors from the BBC.

Any North East-based company looking to apply for the Small Indie Fund is invited to contact the talent and business development team at North East Screen for an informal chat about applying and continued company development by emailing talent@northeastscreen.org

More information on the BBC Small Indie Fund can be found on the BBC website.

Channel 4 opens Emerging Indie Fund for 2023 applications

Posted on 28 September 202328 September 2023 by North East Screen

Channel 4’s Emerging Indie Fund, which aims to help indies in the nations and regions grow their business, has opened for a new round of applications.

The Emerging Indie Fund 2023 provides practical support and opportunities for indies to help them scale their business through a combination of commissioner support, funding and training.

Selected indies will have a direct relationship with a commissioning editor within their chosen genre who will meet with the indie on a regular basis to discuss their slate. They will also meet regularly with Channel 4’s head of indie relations Rebecca Thompson, who will advise them on working with Channel 4 and growing their company.

Production companies will also benefit from online sessions with key departments within the channel, such as finance, corporate affairs and scheduling, to get a unique insight into Channel 4.

Thompson said: “Channel 4’s Emerging Indie Fund has a proven to be an incredibly effective mechanism for helping indies grow their companies and establish themselves as production partners. It’s vital that we continue to nurture emerging indie talent and help support the production sector in the nations and regions.”

Two production companies, Hill 5.14 Media and Motif Pictures, were supported by the Emerging Indie Fund in 2022.

Co-founder and managing director at Newcastle’s Motif Pictures, James Craggs, said: “I believe that the Emerging Indie Fund was a game changing experience for us as we develop and build our company.”

“It gave us vital insight into how a leading broadcaster goes about business. From there, it also allowed us to develop a relationship with a knowledgeable and experienced commissioner who gave us universal guidance, not just aimed towards what Channel 4 needs or wants so it’s improved us as a business, how we will approach our evolution and also how we develop and pitch ideas.”

The Emerging Indie Fund combines slate development funding with ongoing support from Channel 4. The funding can be used to bolster the indie’s development team with additional staff roles or consultants, or for other costs relating to the effective development of their slate.

Eligible indies may already have a track record with Channel 4 and should have a slate of ideas to discuss with a commissioner. The Emerging Indie Fund is seeking ideas that feature distinct voices and stories that are aligned with Channel 4’s editorial priorities and Future4 strategy. https://www.channel4.com/commissioning/future4-strategy

Applicants must also meet all of the following criteria:

Primary office and more than 50% of key creative decision-makers based in the Nations and Regions
A true indie in which no one broadcaster holds more than 25% of its shareholding
Turnover must be below £6m according to the latest set of accounts
Has a slate of content in development suitable for Channel 4
Evidence of a previous TV, film or digital production credit
No more than one previous Channel 4 linear series commissioned or recommissioned
No previous participation in the Emerging Indie Fund as a main awardee

Applications should be made through the online application form and the deadline for is 9am on Monday 19th October 2023. Further detailed information about the commissioning priorities of a specific genre is available on the 4Producers site.

Channel 4 announces support for three northern writers at New Writing North awards co-hosted by North East Screen

Posted on 22 September 202322 September 2023 by North East Screen

Three emerging screenwriters from the North of England have been awarded Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards 2023 to support their development.

Each of the writers wins a £3000 bursary and a package of money-can’t-buy opportunities, including nine-month placements with independent production companies where they will develop original scripts, and mentoring with industry professionals.

The Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards were founded in 2014 as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards. They are funded by Channel 4 and produced by New Writing North, the writing development agency for the North of England. The Northern Writers’ Awards are England’s largest and longest-running writer development programme, supported by Northumbria University, Arts Council England and a range of partners.

The 2023 winners were announced on Thursday evening (21 September) at The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle, at a celebration hosted with North East Screen, the North East’s regional screen agency which develops and nurtures homegrown talent including writers, producers and directors. The event was attended by writers and industry professionals from television and audio, and included a showcase of new writing talent from across the North.

Harriet Ghost, an actor-writer from Newcastle, will receive a nine-month programme of mentoring and support from the Leeds-based production company, Rollem Productions (The Syndicate; Fat Friends). Harriet trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and her acting credits include Ken Loach and ITV projects. She has written for the stage and in 2020 was selected for BFI’s Script Lab and received mentoring from Aisling Bea through the BAFTA Connects scheme supporting women in TV and film.

Joe McNally is a writer from Liverpool whose debut play ‘Cosmic’ was staged at Liverpool’s Royal Court theatre in April 2023. Joe holds a Masters in Screenwriting and is a graduate of both Liverpool’s Royal Court Stage Write Development Programme and Liverpool Everyman’s YEP writers’ programme. His award includes a nine-month placement with Bonafide Films (Mood; The Last Post), where he will develop an original script.

Liz Redwood, from Southport, won the Channel 4 Writing for Television Award: Lime Pictures. She will spend her placement on the production of Hollyoaks, where she will work with members of the core writing team and shadow the script development process.Liz has completed the Liverpool Royal Court’s Playwright Programme and the Liverpool Everyman’s Playwrights’ Programme. In 2020 she was shortlisted for the Kenneth Brannagh New Drama Award at the Windsor Fringe Festival and the Sphinx Theatre programme for female playwrights. Her first professional production, ‘A Tipsy Christmas Fairy Tale’, was staged by Liverpool Royal Court in 2022.

Harriet, Joe and Liz join a growing list of television writers supported by Channel 4 and New Writing North. Previous winners include Sharma Walfall, who won the inaugural award in 2015 and has gone on to write for productions including Dreamland, Noughts and Crosses and A Town Called Malice, and Jayshree Patel, whose award led to her becoming a core writer on Hollyoaks before recently moving to EastEnders. The programme has also launched the television writing careers of Taiba Ahmad, Adam Bennett-Lea, Joshua Halm, Kemi-Bo Jacobs and Samantha Neale.

The Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards form part of Channel 4 and New Writing North’s Talent Development Partnership, which offers year-round support and opportunities for new writers from the North, with a particular focus on supporting writers from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in the television industry. Alongside the awards and industry placements, it offers script development, writers’ roadshows and workshops, and the formation of the Northern Talent Network.

Channel 4’s Head of Drama Caroline Hollick said: “Nurturing the next generation of talent is a key priority for Channel 4, particularly in the north, which is why we are so committed to these awards. We want to ensure that anyone who is determined to work in the creative industries has an opportunity to fulfil that ambition, regardless of their background or where they live.”

Will Mackie, Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development) at New Writing North, said: “Our flagship awards programme for screenwriters continues to grow and thrive through Channel 4’s generous ongoing support. The Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards give us the chance to identify and support three immensely gifted and exciting emerging writers. These awards offer genuine career-changing experiences and it’s enormously fulfilling for us to play a part in nurturing and celebrating new talent. So much of the success of this programme is down to the dedication and innovation of our brilliant production company partners — Rollem, Bonafide and Lime – who open doors into the world of TV for writers in the North.”

Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Development at North East Screen said: “Huge congratulations to Harriet, Joe and Liz on winning these awards. All three are incredibly talented individuals, and in particular, we are very proud to see Harriet, a North East writer, on stage being presented with an award.

“New Writing North do incredible work nurturing writing talent across the north, and we are delighted to be co-hosting this event giving new talent the space to explore and have fun writing for screen.

“We have lots of exciting plans in the pipeline with Channel 4 to offer even more opportunities to develop talent, content and companies in the North East that we can’t wait to share!”

New multi-million pound production fund set to ignite North East screen industry

Posted on 15 September 20235 March 2024 by North East Screen

On Tuesday in the heart of London, North East Screen was in the spotlight as it launched its multi-million pound Production Fund to a room full of screen industries movers and shakers. The fund is set to transform the North East and attract more production companies and filmmakers to film in the region hot on the heels of much anticipated studio development plans.

North East talent and locations have starred on screens in recent years with major feature films such as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves and 1917, as well as much loved TV drama Vera and children’s show The Dumping Ground, all choosing the North East to act as a backdrop.

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen said,

“We’ve got world class talent, exciting studio developments, an emerging infrastructure and now a Production Fund to supercharge the screen industry in the North East. We will attract more high-end TV productions, feature films and returning series to the region, providing more jobs and opportunities for regional and re-locating crew.”

Piloted in early 2023, the North East Production Fund has so far funded three very different productions: feature film JACKDAW from Tees Valley-born Director, Jamie Childs, and Anton Corp; unscripted children’s TV show, Cooking with the Gills, from Sunderland-based MCC Media, for Milkshake; and highly-anticipated drama, The Red King, from Quay Street Productions for UKTV.

Speaking of the support they have received from the Production Fund, Samantha McMillion, Chief Operating Officer at Quay Street Productions said,

“The support we have received from North East Screen through the Production Fund has been extraordinary. The team at North East Screen strive to work as a partner to production and have ensured that communication, and their approach, is collaborative throughout. Their team has been fantastic to work with and I would encourage other productions to seriously consider filming in the North East.

“Being able to provide jobs for local people, support trainees from the region and contribute to the continued growth of the industry in the North East is something we really value at Quay Street.”

Feature film JACKDAW is Tees Valley-born Jamie Childs’ directorial debut, shot in and around the area he grew up in. He said,

“I come from a northern colliery village and I’ve always wanted to make things here. The film shows off the North East in a very stylised and fictional way and allowed me and the great cast and crew to just have fun filming it.”

Delivered by regional screen agency, North East Screen, on behalf of the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), the discretionary fund looks to support scripted and unscripted film and TV productions from both indigenous companies and incoming productions with grants being made between £50,000 up to £500,000. All applications are judged by an independent panel of industry experts following a rigorous application process.

NESIP is the ambitious partnership of all 12 local and combined authorities across North East England investing in growing the screen industry, driving inward investment and creating local jobs. North East Screen is delivering this groundbreaking programme to grow a thriving screen ecosystem which includes a hands-on film office service and significant skills and talent support. In a tough economic environment the North East is both ready to invest in productions ready to shoot immediately, but also interested in having conversations about development opportunities which best showcase the talent and beauty of the region with even more funding opportunities on the horizon. Productions should complete an Expression of Interest at www.northeastscreen.org/project/production-fund.

Alison Gwynn, Jamie Childs, and David Parfitt

We are hiring – come work for the North East Screen family!

Posted on 13 September 202313 September 2023 by North East Screen

We are looking for two people to join us as Development Coordinator and Skills Coordinator and continue to develop and support the North East’s film and TV industry.

If you love film and TV, have solid admin skills, a creative eye and want to make an impact then the Development Coordinator role may be just right for you. You’ll be part of the Talent and Business Development team helping to support North East companies and talent to land opportunities and thrive.

There’ll be a number of administrative duties you’ll have to do and be first port of call for all development related enquiries, as well as assisting the wider team with events and content creation.

Apply now for the Development Coordinator role.

If you fancy helping people get work in film and TV and supporting them on their journey, then apply to be our Skills Coordinator? You will be part of the Film Office team, reporting to the Skills Manager.

Your role will see you support North East based crew and those looking to get into the industry, offering insights on work opportunities, and give our Crew Academy members support and advice that will lead to them landing that next role. You’ll also look after our Crew Academy database, ensuring it is up-to-date and explore ways to grow and maintain it.

Apply now for the Skills Coordinator role.

You have until Midnight, Sunday 8^th October to apply.

South Shields base puts filmmakers at heart of growing industry

Posted on 27 July 202327 July 2023 by North East Screen

A burgeoning North East creative sector is helping a team of North East filmmakers tell stories about their homeland.

Award-winning South Shields film, television, and training company, Red Stamp Productions, is fast building a reputation for delivering unique, quality work about the North East and its diverse communities.

Co-founder, Connor Langley, who formed the company with Michael Lambert, and Michael Rowlands, believes the team’s affinity with the region helps drive their passion for projects.

“I had to move from the North East to cut my teeth in the industry, going to the North West to work on the documentary “Idris Elba, No Limits” for Discovery,” he said. “It was a fantastic experience, but also one that helped me realise that while I enjoyed working on a factual productions, it was scripted projects that really interested me.

“I’d graduated from Sunderland University and decided to go back to study for my Masters. I met the two Michaels and realised we had loads in common. We worked together to create four, 20-minute horror comedies that won an RTS Award and we were off and running.

“There were a few obstacles as we worked to establish ourselves, COVID being the main one, but we’ve delivered some really nice projects and continued to win work.”

Among the projects have been an award-winning music video for 27 Productions, a musical about the former British Steel blast furnace at Redcar, short film The 12^th Man about a supporter’s love for Middlesbrough, and a series of signed films for deaf children.

Michael Rowlands said: “Though working-class stories are told on screen, seldom are they told by working-class people. Now that we have this exciting new kit, we’ll open opportunities for other working-class filmmakers to come and take advantage of it to create art, tell stories, and bring representation to the region from those that live and work here.”

As work lines up, Red Stamp is optimistic about the future of regional filmmaking, with Fulwell 73 creating a studio in Sunderland, Hartlepool’s Northern Studios opening and support agency North East Screen receiving funding from all councils to bring productions to the region like the recently released blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

To capitalise on the firm’s unique location in the heart of the North East, Red Stamp invested in state of the art equipment, thanks to a £30,000 grant from Innovate UK, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.

The Black Magic Mini Ursa 12K Camera was recently added to Netflix’s approved camera list, meeting the exacting standards set by streaming giant for productions on the platform.

Michael Lambert added: “The grant has been invaluable. Too often talent has moved away and aspirations of the next generation hampered because of few job opportunities here in the TV and film industry. Red Stamp is passionate about creating a sustainable production company, aiming high for the next decade and bringing large-scale productions to the North East. This will then champion and employ young filmmakers and crew.”

Connor added: “We’re committed to telling the stories we love from the North East and to help create a thriving film production industry here, alongside the many extremely talented companies who are already here.

“The new kit will strengthen our offer and help us build our reputation across an industry that is notoriously difficult to break into and almost inaccessible for a South Tyneside based company a few years ago.

“But things have changed. The industry is waking up to great local talent, amazing film-making locations and an enthusiasm to make this once in a generation opportunity fly.

“It costs so much to get up and running and we’re now investing in cameras that I could never have dreamed of even seeing, never mind using, when I was a student. The barriers for potential filmmakers from working-class backgrounds are still there, but they are getting smaller and with the help of North East Screen and arts and creative support organisations there will be greater opportunity for young filmmakers in the North East.”

The company recently welcomed experienced media executive, Alex Connock, as a Red Stamp shareholder. A founder of Ten Alps with Bob Geldof, which owned TV production companies and was responsible for ground-breaking shows like The Big Breakfast, he said: “It’s exciting that there is this new and cutting edge production business in South Shields, at the same time as wider investment in studios and media production in the region. Media is a unique industry through which South Shields can access a world market – with its talent, its ideas and its locations – and it’s great that local government is so engaged.”

Connor added: “Alex adds knowledge, experience and has so many contacts across the industry, so it’s a genuine coup to have him involved with the business.

“It feels like everything is falling into place for Red Stamp and we’re all genuinely excited about what the future hold for us, the company and the industry across the North East.”

Cllr Margaret Meling, lead member for Economic Growth and Transport, said: “Having signed the Film-Friendly Charter, we recognise the benefits to our economy and tourism of the TV and film industry and we congratulate Red Stamp on the work they are doing to champion the region on screen

“The passion, skill and enthusiasm of the team there is evident and the work they produce is of the highest quality. I’m pleased that the Council has been able to support the company and I very much look forward to seeing more of their work.”

Speaking about Red Stamp’s growth, North East Screen’s Head of Talent and Business Development, Lisa Laws, said: “Connor and the team at Red Stamp are super passionate not only about the region, but the whole industry, and I know they will make the most of any opportunity that comes their way.

“We’re delighted to be supporting them as they continue to grow and establish themselves within the North East screen sector.”

We Are Newcastle United Launches Weekly on Prime Video From Friday 11th August

Posted on 26 July 202326 July 2023 by North East Screen

Prime Video today released the official trailer for the highly anticipated UK Original documentary series We Are Newcastle United, which will launch exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, with the first episode airing on Friday 11^thAugust. We Are Newcastle United is the latest addition to the Prime membership.

New episodes in the four-part docuseries will launch each week through to Friday 1^st September and tell the inside-story of Newcastle’s expectation-defying 2022/23 season which culminated in qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The full episode release schedule is as follows:

· Episode 1: Friday 11^th August

· Episode 2: Friday 18^th August

· Episode 3: Friday 25^th August

· Episode 4: Friday 1^st September

Narrated by Newcastle United’s all-time leading goalscorer Alan Shearer, the series will offer a unique insight into the club’s ongoing evolution under head coach Eddie Howe, offering exclusive access to the club’s decision makers and following the Magpies’ ongoing 2022/23 season from close quarters. With Eddie Howe’s squad chasing European qualification in the league after reaching their first cup final for 24 years, the series will explore how the decisions made by the club off the pitch impact their fortunes on it.

The series will also delve into Newcastle United’s storied history at the heart of one of the world’s great football cities and will explore the club’s unique bond with its passionate supporters as they follow their team in a season that has already defied expectations.

We Are Newcastle United is produced by Lorton Entertainment and 72 Films, a Fremantle company, executive produced by Clare Cameron and three-time BAFTA winner John Douglas.

The series follows the global success of All or Nothing: Arsenal, All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur and All or Nothing: Manchester City and joins Prime Video’s growing line-up of sports content which includes documentaries such as Rooney, The Pogmentary, Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In, Take Us Home: Leeds United, Inside Borussia Dortmund, When Eagles Dare, Andy Murray: Resurfacing and The Test. Prime Video also offers a wide selection of live sport for Prime members globally, including Premier League football in the UK, US Open, ATP and WTA Tour tennis in the UK and Ireland, Ligue 1 football and Roland-Garros tennis in France, UEFA Champions League football in Germany and Italy, Thursday Night Football in the United States, New Zealand Cricket in India and more.

The production team behind this series were assisted by North East Screen’s Film Office.

Watch the trailer below.

Charlotte Crosby returns to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer for more Charlotte in Sunderland

Posted on 21 July 202321 July 2023 by North East Screen

Cameras will once again follow the unpredictable and dynamic world of entrepreneur and TV personality Charlotte Crosby as Charlotte in Sunderland returns to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer for a second series later in 2023.

Made by Chatterbox Media, Charlotte in Sunderland series two (10 x 30’) will pick up a few months after the conclusion of the first series, which saw Charlotte face a host of life changing moments including discovering she was pregnant with her first child, her partner Jake leaving Manchester and moving to the North East, her mum being diagnosed with cancer and the sad passing of her beloved nana Jean.

The second series gets underway with Charlotte’s daughter Alba now seven months old – and Charlotte having some big plans for the rest of 2023…

Charlotte Crosby says: “I am so excited to announce that I am back on BBC Three in the Autumn for series 2 of Charlotte in Sunderland! Last year was a rollercoaster and the BBC and Chatterbox showed great sensitivity while filming some of the happiest and saddest moments of my life. I will treasure it forever as a tribute to my lovely Nana Jean. Get ready for another amazing series which will bring everyone up to date with me Jake and Alba – and of course Mam and Dad. It will be full of lols and a few surprises!”

Nasfim Haque, Head of Content for BBC Three says: “It is great to get Charlotte back once again giving viewers an access all areas pass to her entertaining world…the best bit is that off screen the team making it will be supporting local North East production talent develop – it’s a winning combo for sure.”

Nav Raman, Executive Producer for Chatterbox Media says: “We’re excited that Charlotte’s hit series is returning. We look forward sharing her on the next chapter of her hectic life – juggling relationships, work, romance and motherhood.”

Series 1 of Charlotte in Sunderland averaged 300,000 (28 day / 4Screen) with 40% of this audience between the ages of 16-34, with strong overall iPlayer viewing (62%) and the series performed particularly well with viewers in the North of England. The series also generated 448k engagements via social media with a combined total of 36m impressions.

Charlotte in Sunderland series 2 will be broadcast on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer this Autumn.

The first series is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

Charlotte in Sunderland (10 x 30’) is made by Chatterbox Media for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. The Executive Producers for Chatterbox are Nav Raman and Ali Quirk. The series was commissioned by Nasfim Haque, Head of Content for BBC Three and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Ruby Kuraishe.