Bryan Kirkwood (producer)

Bryan Kirkwood (born 1976) is a British television producer. He was the producer of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009, and was the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders from 2010 until 2012. He returned as the executive producer of Hollyoaks in late 2012,[1] with his episodes set to air until June 2021.

Bryan Kirkwood
Kirkwood in 2011
Born	1976 (age 44–45) Bellshill, Scotland
Nationality	British
Occupation	Television producer
Years active	2002–present
Employer	Lime Pictures (prev. ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC)
Television	Coronation Street (2003) Hollyoaks (2006–2009, 2012–present) EastEnders (2010–2012) Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights (2012)

Personal life

Kirkwood was born in Bellshill, Scotland. He formerly lived in East Kilbride and in Edinburgh prior to moving to Brighton, England at a young age. Kirkwood is openly gay, and was living in Liverpool with his partner in 2006.[2]

Career

Kirkwood's first major role came as a storyliner for ITV's Coronation Street. He later took control as the producer for Channel 4's Hollyoaks between 2006 and 2009, a period in which the show explored a number of well-loved and critically acclaimed storylines (such as that of the relationship between John Paul McQueen and Craig Dean and the Dog at the Pond explosion that killed five characters).[3] After leaving the main Hollyoaks team, he produced the second series of the late-night spin-off Hollyoaks Later, shown in 2009 on E4. He became responsible for the casting of several new characters and guest appearances, such as Bonnie Tyler.[4]

On 2 November 2009 it was announced that he would become the executive producer of the BBC One soap opera EastEnders, replacing Diederick Santer.[5] He faced criticism from the media before he even assumed his role on EastEnders, with many reporting he planned to 'sex up' the show on arrival.[6] His appointment came on 1 March 2010 as Santer stepped down from the role after the 25th anniversary celebrations.[7] His first episode was broadcast on 4 June 2010 (moved from 7 June due to a schedule change), though he shares the executive producer credit with Santer for two weeks.[8]

Kirkwood's tenure oversaw numerous high-profile storylines, such as the death of Billie Jackson (Devon Anderson), and the introduction of such characters as Michael Moon (Steve John Shepherd), Yusef Khan (Ace Bhatti), Vanessa Gold (Zöe Lucker) and Jodie Gold (Kylie Babbington). Other ideas, however, such as the decision to kill off long-standing soap veteran Pat Butcher (Pam St. Clement) and Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison), were not as well-received and prompted media criticism. The show was also criticized for pandering too heavily towards a younger demographic, insofar that the soap was, at one point, dubbed the "East End version of Hollyoaks."

In January 2011 an EastEnders baby swap storyline involving Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) and Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) gained over 10,000 complaints, which resulted in the BBC ending the storyline earlier than planned.[9] On 12 March 2012, it was announced Kirkwood had decided to leave his position of executive producer of EastEnders, and left in April 2012, after two years in charge[10] with series producer Lorraine Newman temporarily taking over his role.[10] Of his departure, Kirkwood said "Being the executive producer of EastEnders is one of the most exciting jobs in TV, but it's also the most exhausting - so after two years, I've decided it's time to leave Walford."[10]

Later that month it was announced that Kirkwood had returned to working with Lime Pictures. Working alongside Tony Wood, Kirkwood will help create new scripted and reality drama.[11] He produced Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights[12] before returning as executive producer of Hollyoaks.[13] In September 2020, it was announced that Kirkwood had made the decision to depart from Lime Pictures and Hollyoaks in March of that year, with his episodes on the soap set to air until June 2021.[14][15]

References

1. Kilkelly, Daniel (29 September 2012). "'Hollyoaks' producer Emma Smithwick leaving soap - Hollyoaks News - Soaps - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
2. Fulton, Rick (18 August 2006). "My plot to clean up at the TV soap awards". Daily Record. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
3. "Bryan Kirkwood announces departure". Hollyoaks News (Channel4.com). 15 October 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2008.
4. Bonnie Tyler to guest on Hollyoaks, Metro News
5. Green, Kris (2 November 2009). "Kirkwood replaces Santer as 'Enders exec". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
6. Kirkwood to sex up EastEnders
7. Green, Kris (24 December 2009). "Diederick Santer (Executive Producer, 'EastEnders')". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
8. Green, Kris (11 May 2010). "Exclusive: Bryan Kirkwood (Executive Producer, 'EastEnders')". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
9. 'Enders baby plot 'to be cut short' - EastEnders News - Soaps - Digital Spy
10. Kilkelly, Daniel (12 March 2012). "'EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood to stand down". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
11. Eames, Tom (29 March 2012). "'EastEnders' former exec Bryan Kirkwood returning to Lime Pictures". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 29 March 2012.
12. "Mark Wright's Hollywood Nights". ITV. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
13. Kilkelly, Daniel (29 September 2012). "'Hollyoaks' producer Emma Smithwick leaving soap - Hollyoaks News - Soaps - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 27 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
14. "Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood quits after 12 years". Metro. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
15. Davies, Megan (3 September 2020). "Hollyoaks boss Bryan Kirkwood confirms he's leaving the soap at the end of 2020". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.

External links

• Bryan Kirkwood at IMDb