UKTV Adds to Drama Commissioning Team

UKTV has appointed Paramount alum Claire Hookway as commissioning executive to bolster the development of original drama.

Hookway, who was most recently a senior creative executive at Paramount Television International Studios, will support the delivery of scripted programs across UKTV’s Alibi, U&DRAMA and U&Dave channels.

UKTV’s growing portfolio of original dramas includes U&DRAMA’s The Marlow Murder Club and Alibi’s The Red King and Annika. Brand-new upcoming drama series include Chris Lang’s I, Jack Wright; Bookish, created by Mark Gatiss; and Mudtown, a co-production with S4C for Alibi. Also upcoming are a reimagining of Bergerac and the Mitford sisters drama Outrageous, both of which will launch on U&DRAMA and U in 2025.

At Paramount, Hookway worked across multiple original drama commissions for Paramount+, including A Gentleman in Moscow, No Escape, Sexy Beast and the upcoming series The Road Trip, an adaptation of Beth O’Leary’s novel.

Prior to that, Hookway was a development editor at Big Light Pictures, where her credits included Leonardo and Radio Man. Before that, she built her scripted production experience working on dramas such as World on Fire (Mammoth Screen for BBC), The Bay (Tall Story Pictures for ITV), Bulletproof (Vertigo Films for Sky) and EastEnders and Holby City (BBC Studios for BBC). Her career began as part of the BBC’s production apprenticeship scheme.

“I am delighted to be joining Hilary Rosen and Helen Perry at such an exciting time for UKTV and can’t wait to support Helen’s bold and ambitious drama strategy,” Hookway said. “UKTV is home to some of the most beloved shows across the nation, and I’m excited to join an exceptional team of creatives who are striving to grow the TV drama landscape and deliver high-quality entertainment for U.K. audiences. It is a huge privilege to be joining Helen’s team as she leads us into a new phase of UKTV drama, and I’m looking forward to working with producers, writers and directors to deliver record-breaking drama content, whilst championing distinctive storytelling.”

“I am delighted Claire is joining the commissioning team at this brilliant time for UKTV drama,” added Helen Perry, head of drama at UKTV. “Claire’s arrival marks an exciting point of expansion as we are increasing not only our investment in original drama, but also our ambition to deliver high quality popular drama to a growing audience. Claire brings a wealth of experience and a fresh creative perspective, and her range and versality will be invaluable in continuing to realise UKTV’s ambition to be the home of bold, unmissable and entertaining drama. I can’t wait to work with her.”