ITV Studios has appointed Iain MacLeod as Executive Producer for Continuing Drama.
MacLeod will be responsible for leading the production teams in Manchester and Leeds that produce Coronation Street and Emmerdale, reporting to John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North.
He will work closely with the series producer and producers of both soaps to maintain their high standards of storytelling and appeal to viewers.
Of his new role, Iain said:
“I am beyond delighted to be stewarding two shows that I – along with the whole nation – absolutely love. They hold such a central role in viewers’ lives and working with the immensely talented teams on either side of the Pennines to cement their position as the best soaps on the telly will be a massive thrill and a privilege. I have been honing my skills in producer roles for the past decade and I am brimming with ideas for what the next chapter on each show will look like – I can’t wait to get started!”
MacLeod has been Coronation Street’s Series Producer since December 2018 overseeing powerful storylines such as Sinead Tinker’s terminal cancer journey, Nina and Seb’s involvement in a vicious hate crime, and Geoff’s coercive control of Yasmeen.
The show has won multiple awards and accolades, managed to stay on air during Covid, and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020.
Between 2015 and 2018, MacLeod was the Series Producer of Emmerdale overseeing critically-acclaimed storylines such as Ashley Thomas’ battle with vascular dementia and the Hotten Bypass Crash.
In 2006, he joined Coronation Street as a Researcher before becoming a Story Associate in 2007. He has also previously worked on Hollyoaks.
John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, said:
“I’m delighted that Iain has agreed to take on what is probably one of the toughest, but most exciting, jobs in the TV world. Responsible for 6 hours of primetime ITV output 52 weeks of the year (that’s over 3 feature films worth) the job is not for the faint hearted. Luckily Iain has been hewn in the fire of continuing drama having produced all three Northern soaps, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
“During that time he has racked up innumerable awards, brought to our screens fantastic new characters and storylines and tackled some really important social issues with boldness and sensitivity. We are very fortunate to have him to help guide the soaps through their next phase.”
Iain will be starting his new role “with immediate effect”, ITV note.
