BBC commissions new series of Moving On from LA Productions

By Alistair Houghton on Jul 30, 09 03:34 PM

MERSEYSIDE-made drama series Moving On is returning for a second series in what producer Colin McKeown says is an "unparalleled commitment" from the BBC to Liverpool.

As reported in today's Liverpool Echo, BBC chiefs have ommissioned a second series of the popular one-off dramas - and have doubled the number from five to 10.

The shows will be made by LA Productions at its Kirkdale base.
Mr McKeown said: "We were asked to produce 10 episodes ready for transmission in May and June 2010.
"It demonstrates an unparalleled commitment from BBC daytime to Liverpool.
"This new series also represents a huge financial injection into the local economy.
"Our aim is to have a budget of around £2m.
"The audience feedback for the first series was phenomenal.
"The series represented an opportunity to blend high-profile experienced talent both on and off the screen, with upcoming writers and directors.
"It bettered all our expectations and achieved the accolade of what we believe to be be the first daytime commissioned drama given a re-run on a more prime-time slot."
The first series of Moving On, whose executive producer is Jimmy McGovern, featured actors including Sheila Hancock, Dervla Kirwan, Ian Hart and Neil Fitzmaurice.
Writers included Esther Wilson, who also penned this week's episode of McGovern's The Street, and fellow Street writers Arthur Ellison and Marc Pye.
The dramas were screened across five consecutive weekday afternoons, but proved so popular with viewers they were repeated in evening slots on BBC1.