Kate Brooks has been appointed the new producer for Coronation Street.
Starting in April 2024, she will report to Iain MacLeod, the newly appointed Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, as well as John Whiston, the Managing Director for Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, and Huw Kennair-Jones, ITV Drama Commissioner.
Kate Brooks said:
“I have had a wonderful time working on Emmerdale and I feel immensely proud to be part of a team that has achieved such great success over the past eight years. Corrie has lit up my living room since I was a kid, so to be asked to produce a show I have revered for such a long time is the ultimate ‘pinch me’ moment. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Brooks has prior experience working in the story team at Coronation Street, with input into plotlines such as Hayley’s death, the mystery of Who Killed Tina, Steve’s battle with depression, and the dramatic mini bus crash. She transitions across from ITV’s other long-running saga, Emmerdale, where she has been one of the Producers since 2018 alongside Laura Shaw.
John Whiston said:
“It’s great news that Kate has agreed to take on the most exciting job in drama, running Coronation Street. She brings a deep understanding of the genre, a love of complex character and a penchant for the really big, all absorbing stories. She will do brilliantly at Corrie and I can’t wait to see the next evolution of the show under her assured command.”
During her time at Emmerdale, Brooks has been responsible for a number of powerful storylines, including Maya’s grooming of Jacob, Meena Jutla’s murderous actions, Marlon Dingle’s stroke, and Lydia Dingle’s traumatic experience of being raped by a former partner. The show has won numerous awards including the BAFTA for Best Soap and Continuing Drama in 2020, Best British Soap at the Soap Awards in 2019, and the Serial Drama Award at the National Television Awards in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Coronation Street is currently being overseen, on a temporary basis, by Verity MacLeod, who will resume her role as Assistant Producer when Brooks takes up office.
Iain MacLeod said:
“Kate is a fantastic storyteller and I know under her guidance the show will be ambitious, exciting and full of heart and humour. She is Corrie to the core and such a good fit for the show. I am genuinely excited to see what the next chapter holds and can’t wait to work with her again.”
Huw Kennair-Jones added: “We’re thrilled that Kate is taking over the helm at Coronation Street. Her tenure as a producer on Emmerdale has shown her talent for telling exciting yet characterful stories and I can’t wait to see what magic she will bring to the cobbles.”.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX
