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Press Releases
91Èȱ¬ Wales begins search for new peaktime drama series
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91Èȱ¬ Wales has announced plans to develop a new flagship drama series for peaktime that will harness the world class creative expertise in drama production that exists in Wales.
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91Èȱ¬ Wales's award-winning drama, Belonging, will be brought to an end. A ninth series of eight episodes will be aired next spring and a special grand finale programme will be broadcast to mark Belonging's tenth anniversary in 2009.
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The chance to develop and write a brand new show for primetime will be a massive creative opportunity for the talented band of writers based in Wales. It has not yet been decided whether the show will be made in-house or by an independent company.
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91Èȱ¬ Wales Head of English Language Programmes, Clare Hudson, says: "It will be a first class series made by some of the best writers around with a great cast.
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"Our doors are open to any writer or company who think they have the best ideas and the best talent. We know that Wales can do it – just look at how we are leading the way with primetime 91Èȱ¬ network drama such as Doctor Who and Torchwood.
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"I have always been a great fan of Belonging. I love the subtlety of the writing and direction and I love the cast of characters. The series has deservedly won many awards over the years, and attracted a very loyal following in Wales.
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"But we feel it is time now to bring it to a close – after almost ten years we want to explore new avenues and new ways of reaching and delighting our audiences."
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Julie Gardner, Head of Drama and Executive Producer of Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, paid tribute to the high quality of Belonging.
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"We can promise a finale which the audience will absolutely love, and will talk about for years afterwards. In 91Èȱ¬ Wales Drama we don't ever stand still and we will announce the new show aimed at a peaktime audience next year.
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"We have world-class creative expertise in Wales and this new drama will give a fantastic opportunity to work on one of 91Èȱ¬ Wales's flagship programmes."
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Notes to Editors
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The Belonging cast has included, over the years, Gwen Taylor, Charles Dale, Donna Edwards, Richard Mylan, Julian Lewis-Jones and Torchwood star Eve Myles who played a major role as Ceri from the launch of the show in 1999.
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Steve Meo, one of the main characters in 91Èȱ¬ Wales's successful comedy show High Hopes, was also a key character in Belonging for several years.
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Writers for Belonging have included: Catherine Tregenna, Jason Sutton, Catrin Clarke and Alex Carolan.
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Since its launch in 1999, Belonging has won many awards, including four Bafta Cymru awards for Best Drama Series – a record for the category.
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The programme also won Bafta Cymru awards for Best Screenwriter, Best Actress, and Best Director of a Drama.
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Belonging also won an award for Best Drama Series at the Celtic Film and Television Awards.
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