Writer Slams BBC Over Local Content

A row has broken out over a claim by a Belfast writer that the BBC in Belfast (pictured) is 'failing' to commission enough new drama from Northern Ireland.

Tim Loane - who writes for the new series of Minder - has launched a stinging attack on the BBC for failing to back NI-produced drama enough. He said he is envious of Cardiff's BBC drama unit, who produce primetime favourites like Merlin and Doctor Who, film regularly in Cardiff and employ a large percentage of Welsh actors, writers, producers and crew members.

"Over the years it has been a continual disappointment to me just how hard - almost impossible - it has been to get a contemporary Northern Irish drama made on TV," Loane told the Belfast Telegraph last week.

Loane, who made his name on Ballykissangel and was the creator of Channel 4's Teachers in 2001, claims the corporation's reluctance to represent Northern Ireland onscreen is in breach of its remit to reflect all regions of the UK in its drama output.

"The BBC might be the most likely to make one, you would think it is part of their remit, but they won't. They are not reflecting this region at all on the network, which is what we pay our license fee for," he said.

"I have developed about five different series for BBC NI but I don't believe for one second that the head of BBC drama wants anything that's set here. I think they're scared of it for some reason."

A spokeswoman for BBC Northern Ireland said: "There has been a general recognition across the BBC that not enough network production has taken place outside London and a fundamental shift in this has already begun.

"At BBC Northern Ireland we have been committed to growing the amount of network dramas we produce locally and the amount of hours in other genres including current affairs.

"Next week, we in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen will launch a major new drama Five Minutes of Heaven starring Jimmy Nesbitt and Liam Neeson which will be screened at Easter.

"It will be followed by a drama on George Best written by award-winning writer Terry Caffolla and we have recently used the Paint Hall at the Titanic to recreate an Iraqi City for the three-part drama Occupation which traces the lives of three British soldiers in Basra," the spokesman said.

"BBC Northern Ireland also produces over 30 hours of original readings, plays and short stores for radio drama including Radio 4's Echoes of War by local writer Gary Mitchell.

"While this represents a substantial investment in the cultural and creative industry in Northern Ireland we want to do more and are working with the independent sector and agencies such as Northern Ireland Screen to build a sustainable production base locally."

(BMcC/JM)