Kate Oates to Lead Drama Productions at BBC Studios

BBC Studios Productions has tapped Kate Oates as the new head of drama productions with immediate effect.

Oates joined BBC Studios in 2018 as a senior executive producer and, in 2019, took on the role of head of continuing drama. Oates will retain responsibility for her current slate of programs, including EastEnders, Casualty, Father Brown, Sister Boniface, River City, Pobol Y Cwm and the new comedy-drama Anfamol.

Oates and her team will also manage Silent Witness when it moves to the West Midlands, a slate of new drama developments for both the BBC and domestic and international channels and platforms, the BBC Studios casting department; and develop a U.K. training strategy for scripted TV production within BBC Studios.

She reports to Mark Linsey, president of scripted productions.

Linsey commented: “Kate has a proven track record as a creative leader of outstanding, award-winning popular drama. She already demonstrates her passion and commitment to talent and storytelling across the U.K., and I know she is going to deliver more new drama in this wider role.”

Oates said: “I’m beyond delighted to move into the role of head of drama productions at BBC Studios. Together with my incredible team, we are looking forward to creating new dramas to exist alongside our already iconic brands, as well as innovative training opportunities that we believe will benefit our industry as a whole.”