Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning Ben Stephenson unveiled a slate of five new commissions this week.

Stephenson said: “2012 is a massive year for drama on BBC1 as (BBC1 controller) Danny Cohen and I up the scale and pace of our output to secure the next generation of mainstream hits, risk taking and originality. The unique nature of our funding means that only BBC1 drama can bring this kind of quality and range to ensure there really is something for everyone. This year alone will see BBC1 launching over 20 new titles, as well as bringing back over 15 series.”

The production grabbing the most headlines right now is the historical series War Of The Roses, “one of the most ambitious projects ever attempted by the BBC” says Stephenson. Also on the slate are The Secret Of Crickley Hall, written and directed by Joe Ahearne from the James Herbert novel, Truckers by William Ivory, The Moonstone (based on Wilkie Collins” novel) and Room On The Broom, a special from the makers of The Gruffalo.

War Of The Roses, based on Philippa Gregory’;s novels, will be produced by Company Pictures while The Secret Of Crickley Hall (3×60 drama) is being made by BBC Drama Production North. The Moonstone is another in-house production but Truckers is second Company Pictures commission and Room On The Broom (30 mins for Christmas 2012) is from Magic Light Pictures.

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