BBC's Head Of Values, Ian Fletcher, returns for second series of W1A on BBC Two
The BBC today announces that Ian Fletcher, Head of Values, will be allowing cameras into New Broadcasting House again early next year for another series of W1A, following his day-to-day problem creating and solving abilities.
Published: 15 September 2014
I am very happy to have the cameras back. Being Head of Values is all about re-setting the dial for the BBC and perhaps about shining a new light on that dial, or at least shining the old light but with a new bulb, so none of us can be in any doubt where the dial is or can have any excuse for not being able to read what it says.
Until the cameras roll it won't be known exactly what crisis will be averted or indeed where Ian's desk will be. It can be assumed that he will once again have the unavoidable benefit of PR company Perfect Curve's high standards of clarity and presentational skills when it comes to the key issues facing the Corporation.
And with Charter Renewal in 2016 getting ever closer, Ian's job as Chair of the Way Ahead Task Force will be even more important than ever.
Ian Fletcher says: "I am very happy to have the cameras back. Being Head of Values is all about re-setting the dial for the BBC and perhaps about shining a new light on that dial, or at least shining the old light but with a new bulb, so none of us can be in any doubt where the dial is or can have any excuse for not being able to read what it says."
Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning, says: "There's an all-too-painful yet comedic delight in John's ability to pick away at the scab of modern corporate piffle and bureaucratic absurdity. We can't wait to see what dysfunctional madness lies ahead for Ian Fletcher and colleagues in this sly fiction."
Kim Shillinglaw, Controller, BBC Two, says: "I can't wait for the return of W1A next year. Brilliantly authored comedy, featuring some of our brightest talent, is central to BBC Two and this series, alongside the return of The Wrong Mans and new series Boy Meets Girl, the Javone Prince Show and the arrival of Backchat and Russell Howard's Good News, demonstrates the exciting range of comedy we have coming up on the channel."
Myfanwy Moore, Controller, UK Comedy Production, says: "We're overwhelmed and privileged to have Ian Fletcher return. We just need to find him a desk."
Commissioned by Kim Shillinglaw, Controller, BBC Two and Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning, W1A (1x60' and 3x30') is written and directed by John Morton for BBC In-house Comedy. The executive producer is Jon Plowman. W1A stars Hugh Bonneville as Ian Fletcher.
Notes to Editors
BBC In-house Comedy is the biggest producer of comedy in the UK and prides itself on working with the very best in comedy talent - established and new - both on and behind the screen, and is responsible for some of the country's most watched and loved comedies across radio, online and all four BBC TV channels. In the last 12 months alone, the department has won 14 prestigious awards including BAFTAs, Rockies, RTS Awards and National Television Awards.
Recent BBC One hits include the multi-award-winning Mrs Brown's Boys and Miranda. A second series of David Walliams' Big School returned this autumn as will the third series of Adil Ray's Citizen Khan. And after a hugely successful Christmas Special last year, a brand-new series of Still Open All Hours is in production starring David Jason as Granville alongside a new adaptation of David Walliams' children's book The Boy In The Dress. This follows hugely popular previous adaptations of Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny.
The success story continues on BBC Two following several hugely successful new series last year including the award-winning The Wrong Mans written by and starring James Corden and Mat Baynton, W1A written by and directed John Morton and starring Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes, Inside No 9, written by and starring Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton and House Of Fools with Vic & Bob. And coming in the autumn is Nurse, written by and starring Paul Whitehouse, based on his radio show. BBC Two is also home to the brilliant Stewart Lee.
BBC In-house comedy also provides home grown programmes for BBC Three including Bluestone 42 and this autumn brand-new series Crims and Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment. BBC Four this autumn will see Puppy Love on screen, written by and starring Vicki Pepperdine and Jo Scanlan; In And Out Of The Kitchen with Miles Jupp, and Bob Servant returns for a second series, as does The Life Of Rock With Brian Pern and Up The Women - both of which are moving to BBC Two.
BBC Radio Comedy goes from strength to strength with many stand-out shows being adapted for TV, including In And Out Of The Kitchen. Ever popular long-running shows such as BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz and The Now Show continue to delight audiences and Radio 4's Just A Minute will this year celebrate its 900th episode - with the same host Nicholas Parsons.
Our emphasis on supporting new talent can be seen in The BBC Radio New Comedy Award which seeks out the brightest new comedy stars ever year. This year has also seen BBC Radio Comedy nominated for the prestigious Rose d'Or Awards; and an example of the continuing popularity of comedy podcasts can be seen in the fact that there has been over 90million downloads of Radio 4 Friday Night Comedy since its September 2007 launch.
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