Mark Freeland Takes On New Role at BBC

LONDON: In mid-January, Mark Freeland, who has been serving as controller of comedy production, is set to become the controller of fiction and entertainment for BBC Productions.

In the newly established position, Freeland will manage the in-house drama, entertainment and comedy production teams. He will report to Danny Cohen, the director of BBC Television, and will collaborate with Natalie Humphreys, the controller of factual production.

As controller of comedy production, Freeland helped the in-house comedy business expand by 10 percent and commercial income rise by 50 percent. Earlier in his career, he was the head of comedy commissioning for the BBC.

Cohen noted: "Mark's appointment as controller [of] fiction and entertainment comes at a very exciting time for BBC Productions. We now have a fantastic new leadership team to build on our creative successes and drive the team forward to make even more brilliant programs. Mark understands the creative risks needed to ensure BBC Productions continue to be known for their quality and innovation across the world.

"His track record speaks for him. He has led a team that has produced the biggest comedy hits of recent times from Miranda to Mrs Brown's Boys, The Thick of It to The Wrong Mans. He has driven a high volume of new creative business and brought some of the most talented people in the world to work at the BBC. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he develops this track record across drama and entertainment alongside comedy."

Freeland added: "Over the last six years, working in comedy production, alongside amazing on- and off-screen talent, the BBC has let me express myself creatively. I have had the best time. I want to carry that on and lead and learn from a fantastic group of storytellers—in drama, entertainment and comedy. I can't thank the BBC enough for giving me this opportunity to work with and shape a company of confident, ambitious, creatively hungry program-makers."