BBC2 controller Patrick Holland announced new commissions across factual, entertainment and arts during the Edinburgh TV Festival from Keo, Studio Lambert, 72 Films, Lion and Zeppotron.
The new commissions include The Iraq War, which sees multi-award winning director of BBC Two’s Exodus, James Bluemel, return to the channel. The new five-part series is set to be a definitive account of the conflict and will examine in detail the human consequences of the Iraq War told by those who were there. The series will seek to challenge our view of what happened by throwing light on previously ignored perspectives and experiences and explore the far reaching human consequences on all those who were involved.
The Iraq War (w/t) (5×60′) is a KEO Films production for BBC Two. The Series Director is James Bluemel, Series Producer Jo Abel and the Exec Producers are Will Anderson/ Andrew Palmer. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, and Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries.
Arts doc The Nude Uncovered by Mary Beard will set out to explore why there are so many images of naked bodies now and in the past, questioning our own attitudes to nudity and nakedness and reflecting on the changing history of the way people have looked and understood the naked human form.
The Nude Uncovered by Mary Beard (2×60′) is a Lion TV production for BBC Two. Denys Blakeway is the Executive producer. It was commissioned for the BBC by Jonty Claypole, Director of Arts.
Romesh Ranganathan returns to BBC Two following the Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan for a brand new topical studio-based series, The Ranganation. His Ranganation is a group of 25 “larger than life” individuals from a cross-section of modern Britain who come together to take a look back over the week’s talking points to explore the news events and themes alongside comedians and expert guests.
The Ranganation is a Zeppotron production for BBC Two. Ruth Phillips is the Executive producer for Zeppotron. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Kate Phillips, Controller, Entertainment Commissioning. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Ruby Kuraishe.
Race Across the World is a new factual-entertainment series that pits travellers against each other in a race to reach the Far East without taking a single flight. Adventurers will hit the open-road, with no modern trappings such as mobile phones, and travel through astonishing scenery and cross continents using whatever mode of transport they can.
Race Across The World is produced by Studio Lambert. Stephen Lambert, Tim Harcourt and Mark Saben are the executive producers; and Stephen Day is the series editor for Studio Lambert. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two and David Brindley, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Michael Jochnowitz.
Also announced is The Rise of the Nazis (w/t), a history series that covers in detail how the Nazis took control of Germany. Leading historians will study the different psychological perspectives of Hitler’s contemporaries and highlight the incremental decisions and missed warning signs that could have prevented the rise of the Nazis.
The Rise Of The Nazis is a 72 Films production for BBC Two. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Simon Young.
Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, said: “I am delighted to announce such a compelling, exciting and challenging slate of shows. Race Across the World is a major new format that promises adrenaline, adventure and extraordinary encounters, as we leave modern tech behind and travel without a safety net. Couple this with James Bluemel’s unique take in the Iraq War, 72 Film’s intense focus on the years that made Hitler unstoppable, Mary Beard’s singular exploration of the role of nakedness and Romesh’s hilarious new opinionated studio show, BBC Two really is the home to the most eclectic range of programmes, never shying away from complexity, engaging with the most refreshing perspectives and voices. With Michaela Coel’s new drama announced earlier this week, we have a heady mix in-store for our viewers."
Staff Reporter
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