BBC's Stephenson to deliver keynote at MipTV

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC?s controller of drama Ben Stephenson will take centre stage at the television trade event MipTV to throw light on the behind-the-scenes magic at the heart of the commissioner/producer creative alliance, during a Creative Talk on 9 April. Stephenson will also present the opening speech at MipTV?s second annual Drama Co-Production Summit on 8 April.

Organised by Reed Midem, MipTV 2013 will take place in Cannes, France from 8-11 April 2013.

Appointed Controller of Drama Commissioning in September 2008 and in charge of the BBC?s drama output, Stephenson has carved out a reputation for risk-taking and originality in his efforts to bring a new generation of mainstream hits to the BBC channels.

2012 marked a string of successes, with the launch of the BBC One drama series ?Call the Midwife? and BBC Two?s ?Line of Duty?. BBC Two?s Shakespeare Season received critical acclaim and Stephenson also launched BBC One?s returning series ?The Syndicate?, ?The Paradise?, ?Prisoners Wives? and ?Last Tango in Halifax?. ?Sherlock? and ?Luther?, both originally commissioned by Stephenson, will also return this year.

Stephenson is responsible for the re-emergence of drama on BBC Two, with a range of original programmes including ?The Shadow Line?, ?United?, ?Eric and Ernie?, ?The Crimson Petal and the White?, ?Murder? and ?Parade?s End?.

Forthcoming dramas include ?Dancing on the Edge?, ?The Fall?, ?Frankie?, ?Mayday?, ?Mary and Martha?, ?Peaky Blinders?, ?Top of the Lake?, ?The Village?, and ?The White Queen?.