SPOTLIGHT

WALFORD WEB EXCLUSIVE

Bryan Kirkwood talks to Walford Web

New EastEnders Executive Producer Bryan Kirkwood recently spoke to Charlotte about some of his plans for the show.

Added: 17 June 2010, and viewed 5241 times

Simon May faces the glare of the Spotlight

Shane’s World

It’s been three months since Bryan Kirkwood took over from Diederick Santer. Charlotte recently caught up with Bryan to discuss his plans for the show with a selection of questions submitted by our very own forum members.

How does it feel to be taking over such a big show, and after such a successful birthday year for EastEnders?

I am hugely honoured to be taking over EastEnders at such an important point in its lifetime. Diederick and the team have worked wonders over the last 3 years, and have successfully taken the show from strength to strength, culminating in the triumphant 25th anniversary live episode. Coming in and taking over the week after was a bit scary, but it also felt like a perfect time to reflect and work out where to take the show as it enters into its next era.

Some of Diederick Santer’s major storylines are as yet unfinished. How does it feel to have the influence over where these stories and characters end up?

Every Executive Producer that takes over this kind of job will inherit his predecessor’s storylines. I’m very lucky to be able to pick up a storyline as exciting as the current Lucas and Denise one. I’m a big fan of Don and Diane, and while I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve seen of this story to date, I was keen to slightly shift the focus onto Denise, and to portray her more of her point of view of being married to a man with a secret life. Hopefully the audience will enjoy the final chapter of this storyline, I know I’ve loved being part of the process of getting it to screen.

You’ve had plenty of experience working at other soaps such as Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. What drew you to EastEnders? Were you a fan before being appointed Executive Producer?

I’ve been a huge fan of EastEnders since it started, when I was 9 years old. I’m a big soap fan in general, but both Corrie and EastEnders have been my favourites and I’ve enjoyed them both equally over their various high points over the years. I’ve known John Yorke for a couple of years, so when I was approached to be Diederick’s successor, I jumped at the opportunity.

Every new Executive Producer has tried to make their stamp on EastEnders. Some have been more successful than others. What do you think you can bring to the show?

What I love about EastEnders, and what I think is its defining quality is its ability to tell big, blockbuster, head-line grabbing, award-winning storylines, and this is what I intend to continue over the next couple of years. The area I’d like to work on is removing the tag of EastEnders as the ’depressing’ soap. The gritty hard hitting stories will continue, but alongside that I think we need to work harder at bringing the East End’s natural wit, warmth and banter to the fore. Sometimes in the past the show has veered into sit com territory which is when the show is at its weakest. I want to see more of the natural joy that lies at the heart of communities like this.

We have heard that in the coming months a large number of characters will be leaving the show and many of them have been on the Square for many years so viewers have come to know them quite well. Do you share the concern that their absence could disrupt the community feel in Walford?

I strongly believe that every long-running show like EastEnders must regularly examine the value of every character, and their role and function in the show. My job is to ask if that character has come to the end of their shelf-life? Are there too many of that character-type in the square? Does one character cancel out another character’s need for a storyline? I have to ask these questions and occasionally make some hard decisions. But I’m confident that there are enough long-running well-loved characters at the heart of the show to maintain that essential community feel.

Are there any plans to introduce any more new characters to offset all of these exits?

We regularly discuss new characters, new families, new love interests and new friendships to take the show into its next phase. There are a number of gaps in the cast that I think are ripe for the taking. We’re workshopping actors and seeing what clicks. I don’t want to rush anyone on to the screen too quickly before we’re absolutely certain they’re right for the show; before we’ve got the right actor, the right story, and the right mix of characters.

With Zoe Lucker’s character being a love interest for Max Branning, how does this storyline tie in with Tanya’s return to the Square later this year? Are there any teasers you could give us?

Zoe has already made a fantastic impact in a short space of time and we’re delighted with the flavour she brings to the show. Jo Joyner will be returning as Tanya later in the year, with her new partner Greg, and we’re currently having great fun working out the permutations of this exciting new situation.

It’s been announced that a second series of the online spin-off E20 has been commissioned for later this year. Have you started planning for it; and can you give us any hints about new characters or storylines from it?

The second series of E20 has been written and is being filmed as we speak. As ever, it’s a brilliant platform for young talented writers and actors to get a break and bring a different kind of energy to the EastEnders brand.

With quite an influx of young characters recently, some viewers on our forums have expressed concern that EastEnders may start to resemble Hollyoaks. How would you respond to those concerns?

I’m aware of the obvious fear that I might want to turn EastEnders into Hollyoaks, but I can categorically assure viewers that nothing could be further from the truth. I had the best 3 years on Hollyoaks, but EastEnders is a totally different show, with different characters, different storytelling techniques, and a different audience, and I’d be an idiot to not realise this. As I’ve already mentioned, I’m a life-long EastEnders addict. I believe I know what is right for this show, so I’d ask viewers to wait and see what’s in store.

Diederick Santer brought back 14 characters for various stints during his time on the show. Do you think past links are important, and are there any characters you would like to bring back yourself?

With Kat and Alfie returning, I feel we’ve seen the last of full-time returning characters, for a while at least. On one hand it’s amazing to have a cast full of the EastEnders all-stars; Kat, Alfie, Carol, Bianca, Ricky, Janine, Phil, Ian, Patrick, Pat, Dot, playing alongside top-notch relative newcomers like Max, Jack, Zainab, Masood, Ronnie and Roxy, but for me the thing that’s missing is new blood and that’s what I’m focussing my attentions on next.

The Slater’s celebrate their tenth anniversary this summer. With Charlie, Jean and Stacey all leaving as Kat and Alfie return, can you give us any more hints on what is in store for the family?

With Charlie, Stacey and Jean leaving it will be the end of an era for the Slater family, but with Kat and Aflie returning, and Mo sticking around, it’s far from the end for the family. We have a great story in store for these characters, and one that gives them momentum for a good while to come.

How do you feel about overseeing the exit of Peggy Mitchell? Are you nervous?

It’s a big responsibility, but a very exciting one. Barbara’s portrayal of Peggy has been nothing short of iconic; her warmth, her humour, and her steeliness have given us the quintessential Walford matriarch, and I believe her final episodes are everything she deserves. I’m just thrilled that I had a chance to work with Barbara Windsor before she left. And with Peggy going, it will give us the opportunity to take Phil to an exciting new level.

The Beales are a unique family in that they encompass both the show’s past (through Ian) and the show’s future (through the twins and Bobby). What are your plans for this family?

I think Adam Woodyatt is one of the most underrated actors on television, there really isn’t much he can’t do. But I’d like to see a subtle move away from Ian ’buffoon’ stories and give the Beales the epic, dramatic story that perhaps has been missing for the last couple of years. Melissa will be leaving us shortly, but Lucy Beale will be back towards the end of the year, so I’m excited to see where that takes us.

Is there a question you would’ve liked to have been asked? And how would you have answered it?

I’d like to have been asked ’Who’s your favourite character?’, and my answer is Dot Branning. It’s such a privilege to work with June, who I think is one of the great remaining legends of British television.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Bryan!

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