The Chase Co-Creators Align with BBC Studios

BBC Studios has tapped format creators and producers Amanda Wilson and Elliot Johnson to join its production business, leading creative development across the entertainment and music department.

The pair is behind such formats as The Chase, Four Weddings, Strictly Come Dancing, The Waiting Game, Who Dares Sings and RTÉ One Ireland’s Raised by the Village. They will be charged with devising and advancing original format ideas through to commission for a variety of broadcasters and platforms.

Wilson and Johnson will provide editorial direction and strategic business leadership for the development team, working alongside three other creative directors—Mel Balac, Pete Ogden and James Payne—for content production. They will also help BBC Studios Production transform its program offering and accelerate its pace of change in diversity and inclusiveness both on- and off-screen.

Suzy Lamb, managing director for entertainment and music production at BBC Studios, said: “Amanda and Elliot are a creative powerhouse. Their fingerprints can be found on some of TV’s most popular contemporary formats so the prospect of them creating in the BBC Studios Entertainment and Music space is thrilling. Developing new content that’s popular and representative for all audiences is vital and I can’t wait to see what they dream up for us.”

Wilson commented: “Last time I was at the BBC we had success with Strictly Come Dancing. It’s great to be coming back to bust some new moves and I hope the formats we create will also get 10/10 from the judges!”

Johnson added: “I started my TV career in BBC Music Entertainment under the stewardship of Chris Cowey and had an exciting time producing performance shows and music documentaries. So when we were approached with this opportunity it was a no-brainer to be part of a revitalized BBC Studios hungry for new entertainment formats and ambitious music projects.”