Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Born (1977-08-26) 26 August 1977[1]
Nationality British
Occupation Television producer

Dominic Treadwell-Collins (born 26 August 1977) is a British television producer, known for his work on the soap operas Family Affairs and EastEnders.

Career

Early work

Treadwell-Collins' first job in television was for the ITV crime drama series Midsomer Murders, devising means of killing off characters.[2] He moved to Talkback Thames for four years,[3] working as a story producer on the Five soap opera Family Affairs, where he was taught to storyline by Ian Aldwinckle. In 2007, he named the show winning the 2005 British Soap Award for "Best Storyline" the biggest achievement of his career.[2] Family Affairs was cancelled in 2005, which surprised Treadwell-Collins, who had expected that several award wins meant the show would be extended. He felt that viewers remained "incredibly loyal" to the series, and that it would have had greater longevity had it aired on a different channel, or been better publicised by Five.[4]

EastEnders

Treadwell-Collins began working on the BBC soap opera EastEnders in October 2005,[3] as a senior story editor under Brigie de Courcy, before becoming story producer in January 2007.[2] He was responsible for running the EastEnders story department, working with the show's writers to devise future storylines.[2] In his first year on the show, he created the characters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack and Rita Simons.[5] In response to criticism of the show's lack of characters with disabilities, EastEnders producers planned to introduce several actors with disabilities in early 2009. Treadwell-Collins felt that such characters are often portrayed as being "noble or 'worthy'", and suggested that EastEnders subvert this stereotype by making the new roles flawed.[6] He created the storyline in which the Muslim character Syed Masood struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality, and his relationship with Christian Clarke, as well as the Who Killed Archie? whodunnit, which culminated in the show's first live episode in February 2010.[3]

Treadwell-Collins stood down from his EastEnders role on 25 June 2010, becoming head of development at Kudos' Lovely Day production company. The company is run by former EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer, who commented: "Dominic is a brilliant and original talent, bursting with great ideas and gripping stories. Many of EastEnders' best storylines and characters of the last few years have come directly from his imagination and design, and he played an integral part in conceiving and plotting the hugely successful 25th anniversary episodes. I'm delighted to be resuming our creative partnership at Lovely Day." Treadwell-Collins stated: "I have had an amazing time at EastEnders and I couldn't have dreamed of a better place to work. Working on EastEnders has enabled me to create some fantastic storylines and characters that have been received so well but after four-and-a-half years of life in Walford, I feel that it is time to move on and try something new."[3]

Return to EastEnders

On 29 July 2013, it was announced that Treadwell-Collins would be returning to EastEnders as executive producer, taking over from Lorraine Newman, who resigned from the role after sixteen months on the job. Treadwell-Collins assumed the position on 19 August 2013[7] and his first episode as executive producer aired on 9 December 2013.

Treadwell-Collins' first major cast change was to introduce Shirley Carter's (Linda Henry) extended family, who took over The Queen Vic â€“ her brother (later revealed to be her son) Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), sister Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White), Mick's common-law wife Linda (Kellie Bright) [8] and their children Lee (Danny-Boy Hatchard), Nancy (Maddy Hill) and Johnny (Sam Strike).[9] The family was later expanded to include Shirley, Tina and Mick's father Stan Carter (Timothy West), their maternal aunt Babe Smith (Annette Badland)[10] and their estranged mother Sylvie (Linda Marlowe),[11] plus Shirley's son Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) who returned to the show after several years.[12] Other major characters introduced by Treadwell-Collins include Dot Branning's (June Brown) grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett),[13] Pam (Lin Blakley), wife of established recurring character Les Coker (Roger Sloman)[14] and DC Emma Summerhayes (Anna Acton) a detective investigating the murder of Lucy Beale and Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) as Kim Fox's husband. He also introduced Margaret Midhurst, Sharon Watts's lawyer (later revealed to be her aunt) and Gavin Sullivan husband to Kathy Beale, (later revealed to be Sharon's father).[15]

Treadwell-Collins also reintroduced several characters who had previously featured in the show, including Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) [16] Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Les Coker (Roger Sloman),[17] Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton)[18] and Jack Branning (Scott Maslen),[19] who all returned permanently, while the likes of Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor),[20][21] Nick Cotton (John Altman),[22][23] Rainie Cross (Tanya Franks), Jean Slater (Gillian Wright), Libby Fox (Belinda Owusu), Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet), Ryan Malloy (Neil McDermott), Glenda Mitchell (Glynis Barber) , Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook) and Lorna Cartwright (Janet Dibley), have all returned for guest appearances. The characters of Shabnam Masood,[24] Ben Mitchell,[25] Martin Fowler,[26] Louise Mitchell[27] and Jordan Johnson were also reintroduced, but the roles were recast to Rakhee Thakrar, Harry Reid, James Bye,[28] Tilly Keeper [29] and Joivan Wade[30] respectively.

Treadwell-Collins also created a spin-off for the EastEnders characters Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) set in Ireland called Redwater, scheduled for broadcast on BBC One in 2017.[31][32]

Departure from EastEnders

On 18 February 2016, it was announced Treadwell-Collins would be stepping down as executive producer of the BBC One flagship show after two and a half years. Speaking of his decision to leave, Treadwell-Collins said: "My love for EastEnders is no secret and so the decision to leave Walford has not been one I have taken lightly. When I commit to something, I always give it my all â€” and after two and a half years of giving my blood to Walford, it is time for me to move on to other things â€” and keep EastEnders creatively refreshed, something that it has to do to stay at the top of its game."

Upon his decision to leave, Treadwell-Collins stated that he planned to leave in the summer but decided to stay on for longer for two reasons. The first being the death of EastEnders icon, Peggy Mitchell, commenting, "When Dame Barbara comes to you to produce her final episodes, you cannot say no. I left EastEnders with Peggy last time when she burnt down her Vic and it feels fitting that we will now leave permanently together." Secondly, because he wanted to find the right person to take over from him, the statement revealed that The Archers editor, Sean O'Connor, would replace Treadwell-Collins. He said "This is an incredible all-consuming show and in Sean, I know that we have found someone who already has Albert Square in his bones and who adores EastEnders as much as I do."

Treadwell-Collins stated that "It's going to be gut-wrenching to tear myself away from everyone at EastEnders. It's an utterly unique place to work, with everyone working so hard and with such passion â€” and I am so so proud to have led that brilliant team over the past couple of years. I know that EastEnders will continue to thrive under Sean and I'm looking forward to watching the show as a viewer again."

Treadwell-Collins' last day at EastEnders was on 6 May 2016.[33]

Personal life

Treadwell-Collins lives in London. He grew up in Radlett, near the BBC Elstree Studios.[2] and went to Edge Grove Prep school, Harrow Public school then Oxford University.[34] His father was the son of an Irish farmer who emigrated to London from his home near Skibbereen, in West Cork, in the mid 1960s and his mother is from north London; his mother's maiden name is Treadwell which explains the double-barrelled surname. Treadwell-Collins father died in a drowning accident in 1990, when Treadwell-Collins was aged about twelve. As a child Treadwell-Collins had ambitions to work for the BBC, as he lived just down the road from the Elstree Studio, and used to look in through the gates on his way home from school.

References

  1. ↑ "Twitter / dominictc: 36 today. Heading home for". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Oatts, Joanne; Green, Kris (14 October 2007). "All about 'EastEnders' Dominic Treadwell-Collins". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Green, Kris (28 June 2010). "Treadwell-Collins joins Santer's Lovely Day". Digital Spy. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
  4. ↑ Bishop, Tom (30 December 2005). "End of the Affairs for Five soap". BBC News (BBC Online). Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  5. ↑ Adam Page (director, producer), Mark Cossey (executive producer) (2009-04-03). "EastEnders Revealed: The Secret Mitchell". EastEnders Revealed. Episode 56. BBC. BBC Three.
  6. ↑ Walker, Tim (14 January 2009). "Boris Johnson opens the floodgates". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  7. ↑ "Twitter / dominictc: Had an amazing three years". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  8. ↑ Brown, David (1 October 2013). "EastEnders: Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright to become new Queen Vic landlord and landlady". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  9. ↑ Rigby, Sam (29 October 2013). "'EastEnders': First picture of Danny Dyer's Carter family". Digital Spy (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  10. ↑ "EastEnders casts Timothy West, Annette Badland as new Carters â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps". Digital Spy. 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  11. ↑ EastEnders to welcome matriarch, Sylvie to the Carter clan
  12. ↑ EastEnders: Matt Di Angelo returning as Deano Wicks â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  13. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (22 January 2014). "EastEnders casts Dot Branning's grandson Charlie Cotton". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  14. ↑ EastEnders to introduce Les Coker's wife Pam for new funeral parlour â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  15. ↑ EastEnders spoilers: Lucy Beale murder case cop cast with 'yummy mummy' actress Anna Acton in the role â€“ Mirror Online
  16. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (15 October 2013). "'EastEnders' confirms Sonia Fowler return". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  17. ↑ Brown, David. "'EastEnders':Lacey Turner to return as Stacey Branning in the new year". Radio Times (6 December 2013). Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  18. ↑ EastEnders: Jane Beale makes surprise return to show â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  19. ↑ [http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-24/eastenders-scott-maslen-makes-surprise-return-as-jack-branning EastEnders: Scott Maslen makes surprise return as Jack Branning â€” Radio Times
  20. ↑ EastEnders: Barbara Windsor makes surprise return as Peggy Mitchell â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  21. ↑ EastEnders: Barbara Windsor returning for 30th anniversary â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  22. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 July 2014). "EastEnders: John Altman returning to show as Nick Cotton". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  23. ↑ ]
  24. ↑ Drewett, Meg. "'EastEnders': Shabnam Masood returning to soap, role recast". Digital Spy (1 December 2013). Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  25. ↑ EastEnders: Ben Mitchell to be played by newcomer Harry Reid â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  26. ↑ EastEnders recasts Martin Fowler: James Bye to take over role â€“ EastEnders News â€“ Soaps â€“ Digital Spy
  27. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (16 December 2015). "Here comes trouble: Phil Mitchell's feisty daughter Louise is returning to EastEnders next year". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  28. ↑ "Martin Fowler returns to Albert Square". EastEnders News & Spoilers. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  29. ↑ "Louise Mitchell Returns To Albert Square". EastEnders News & Spoilers. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  30. ↑ "Jordan Johnson returns to EastEnders". EastEnders News & Spoilers. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  31. ↑ Brown, David (4 April 2015). "EastEnders: Kat and Alfie to get their own drama series on BBC1". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  32. ↑ Campbell, Tina (26 February 2016). "Shane Richie teases EastEnders Kat and Alfie TV spin-off could be ‘ongoing’". The Sun. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  33. ↑ Treadwell-Collins, Dominic (6 May 2016). "DomTreadwellCollins on Twitter: "It's my last day on Albert Square."". Twitter. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  34. ↑ "EastEnders' new boss and his star Danny Dyer on the changes coming to Walford". radiotimes.com. Retrieved 2016-02-08.

External links

Media offices
Preceded by
Lorraine Newman		 Executive Producer of EastEnders
2013–16 		Succeeded by
Sean O'Connor
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