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Wire in the Blood S6; Simone's Last WitB Stint?
Topic Started: Jun 5 2008, 01:10 PM (6,346 Views)
Just Another Mad Bad Fan
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Here is some unfortunate news from News Guardian regarding Wire in the Blood.

http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/...east.4952131.jp

Sad day for north east TV as drama is axed

Published Date:
05 February 2009
By TEGAN CHAPMAN
Entertainment Editor
THE north east television industry has taken another blow as a major prime-time series produced and filmed entirely in the region is axed.
Wire in the Blood, produced by Robson Green and Sandra Jobling's Newcastle-based production company, Coastal Productions – the only independent production company producing primetime network television
in the north east - has not been re-commissioned by ITV.

After six years of successful filming, the last episode of Wire in the Blood was screened in the autumn of 2008 and was watched by more than 4.5m people.

The series has sold for millions world wide and consistently employed almost 100 crew when filming in the region. On average, a production such as Wire in the Blood would spend around £750,000 on an hour-long episode.

Tom Harvey, chief executive of Northern Film & Media, said: "This is a very sad day for north east network TV, an absolute tragedy.

"Coastal Productions have done a fantastic job of securing prime time drama for the north east.

"They have provided much needed jobs for local crew and ensured that north east locations have appeared in front of national audiences.

"It is hard to under estimate how important Coastal Productions, Sandra and Robson, are to the north east.

"That is why Northern Film & Media has been working hard with Coastal Productions to find a long term solution to current difficulties through our Network TV Investment Fund.

"But we also need to work with commissioners from across the major networks to find a route on to national screens for north east talent.

"Northern Film & Media's warning that the north east could disappear from national TV screens is fast becoming a reality.

"Culturally, it is vital the north east is represented on national screens. Without our people, our stories and our locations on network
TV the north east becomes invisible.

"The economic impact of this lack of production is also very serious.

"With no production in the region we miss out on filmmakers spending their budgets on regional cast and crew and facilities companies, not to mention money that would be spent in local hotels, restaurants, shops and bars.

"The number of locally-based TV professionals on Northern Film & Media's database has gone down from 300 to 200 in the last 18 months as work has dried up. Many have migrated to centres of production such as London or Manchester.

"If this continues and we lose our talent base, the north east becomes and even less likely choice for a commission."

Sandra Jobling of Coastal Productions and executive producer of Wire in the Blood, released a statement saying: "After a very productive 2008 which included the sixth series of Wire in the Blood, and the highly successful Place of Execution, naturally we at Coastal are very disappointed.

"We are especially sad for the creative talent in the north east who have contributed to Wire's longevity. However, Coastal continues to work closely with ITV and other broadcasters on developing new projects."

Wire in the Blood has shot extensively across the north east and there has been much reaction across the region.

Northern Film & Media have arranged a special meeting for all concerned with north east network television to be held at the Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, on Monday, February 16, from 6pm.

This meeting is aimed at industry professionals, or those linked to the industry, concerned about the current lack of production in the region.

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topcac
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Ah crap! :o
If ballet dancers have to dance on tip toe, why not just get taller dancers.....
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annabelle
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damn, that is just terrible. :o
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monaco90
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And on simone's birthday no less! ... mean, mean, mean
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molsongrrrl
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such a huge letdown. I love this show and of course getting to see Simone in it!
There's nothing wrong with you that a little Prozac and a polo mallet can't cure.
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Jersey1259
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Life is so amazing you just never know when a travesty will happen. There are no words other than tragic, unfair, stupid, wrong and totally tasteless to ax Wire In The Blood. It is not just a great television drama, with a splendid cast, and well written, but it actually gave its viewers something substantial to watch. Kind of Fillet Mignon versus Hamburger. As a very disgusted and disenchanted American who started watching more British programing for better quality entertainment, this has literally knocked me out like a sucker punch. I only hope that British television is not becoming infected by the American Bug, because there is no cure.

And how down right cruel to ax a show on the eve of the birthday of one of its brilliant and beautiful and gifted stars, I of course am referring to Lady Simone Lahbib. I guess there is no honor in show business, I guess Hollywood is Hollywood even in The UK.

I am sure that I am not alone when I say that our thoughts, prayers, love, and devotion go out to our Lady Simone. Please dear Lady should you read this please find solace in the family of this illustrious group. I only wish that there is something I personally can do, like buy a studio and keep Lady Simone busy all the time, however, I don't have that kind of money. Hey may be I can write a very scathing letter to someone, anyone know who I direct it to? May be now is the time for the return of Governor Helen Stewart. Let us all hope.

With love and support,
Cheryl Ann V. Leto,
Your loyal follower in Burbank, California, USA







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topcac
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I'm afraid Jersey, that we have already got the bug - when we are subjected to shows like 'Paris Hilton's new British best friend', I just want to cry.

Reality TV sucks. However, the USA isn't all bad. CSI........ er....I wanted to go on...but....realise I don't watch any other US shows - sorry.

I have to say that WITB has been a fave of mine even before Simone so I am truly gutted. Plus, PLUS Alex and Tony.....ah..now that was getting interesting

:kiss1


The little buggers at Coastal have a lot to answer to!
If ballet dancers have to dance on tip toe, why not just get taller dancers.....
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Just Another Mad Bad Fan
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Quote:
 
The little buggers at Coastal have a lot to answer to!


Uhh, I'm afraid it's the little buggers (or perhaps more correctly the big bugger) at ITV who have/(has) a lot to answer for! Coastal only want to sell their product - as Sandra Jobling says "naturally we at Coastal are very disappointed" - this is a blow to them too.

Let's hope they are hawking it around and that one of the other channels will pick it up.

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fly0142
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I'm so sad, loved Simone as Alex Fielding...
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Jeanna
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I said SIT IN THAT CHAIR
That sucks royally. I thought they'd already been given the go ahead for another season?
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I love MJNet
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The bosses slave!
Just to add to this news -

This is taken from Val McDermid's own website.

"I'm sorry to confirm that the press announcements are right on the money. ITV have failed to recommission the series. After Coastal single-handedly restored ITV drama's status (The Times headline in September: 'Quality Drama Returns to ITV) this is how they are treated. Sandra Jobling, the executive producer, has sweated blood to bring this series in at high quality on a budget that was, in real terms, shrinking year on year and this decision is a slap in the face to her and to anyone committed to making classy TV drama. We had the audience numbers, the audience share and a committed audience who made an appointment with the show, not just watching it because there was nothing else on. We appear on 120 channels world-wide. We've just been shortlisted for an Edgar award by the Mystery Writers of America, up against such competition as The Wire, The Shield and Damages. But apparently we're not good enough for ITV.
It's not just about Coastal, though. The story is wider and deeper that that. Take a look at this story to get the fuller picture.
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-ne...22867794/"
© Copyright Val McDermid all rights reserved.

We are gutted by this, not least because the last series ended on one hell of a cliff hanger!

All we can hope is that another TV channel are brave enough to pick this series up - If it is - and its a big if - Whether it will then still be with Simone remains to be seen, since she might have taken other options on by the time this is resolved.

Another sad day for quality British Drama.
“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.”
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toniM
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Pay back time
So sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed the series when it aired briefly on BBC America.
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Just Another Mad Bad Fan
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I think Coastal probably were pretty confident that it was going to be recommissioned Jeanna; according to the Robson Green website - http://www.robsongreen.com/ Coastal have the first script and three treatments (story outlines/summaries) for Wire 7, and the studio set was ready for filming. The site also has the following message -

If you are one of the many fans outraged at the decision by ITV to axe Wire in the Blood, then we have put together some ITV contact details to allow you to communicate your thoughts on their decision, directly to them:

In writing by Post
Laura Mackie
Director of Drama
ITV plc
200 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8HF



In writing by Post
Viewer Services
ITV plc
Gas Street
Birmingham
B1 2JT

In writing via Email
ITV Viewer Services

In writing via Online Form
ITV.com Feedback Form

ITV Discussion Forum
ITV.com - General Discussion forum

Telephone
0844 88 14150 (UK)


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Jersey1259
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Would you please help out a very confused American??? I have never seen so many digits, am I calling London, in The UK or another London on may be Saturn???

Please break it down for me, and until then I will be awaiting with bated breath and hanging on by a thread. I would love to give ITV a piece of my mind while my steam is still on boil before I goes down to a fizzle.

Many thanks,
Cheryl

On the mission to save our Dear Lady Simone, your warrior is ready although momentarily digitally challenged.
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ekny
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Hi--link went to 404, it had some junk characters on the end. Try this:

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-ne...61634-22867794/

***

It's a stupid decision--the show seems to pull in very good numbers in numerous overseas markets--but then... when was the last time ITV execs showed foresight? Penny-wise, pound-foolish could be the motto of most of these guys. I get it--the economy, stupid--but this show stills seems like it should be quite profitable.
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