Emma Lorenz joins BBC Studios as its first Creative Director, UK Unscripted

Emma Lorenz has joined BBC Studios’ Science Unit as its first Creative Director, UK Unscripted. Led by Andrew Cohen, Unit Head, and Nicola Cook, Director of Development, Lorenz will be responsible for the domestic creative strategy and growing the unit’s UK slate in documentaries, formats and returning series.

She arrives at a period of rapid expansion for BBC Studios’ Science Unit which includes a big push into feature docs, formats and scripted. Recent production successes include the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning “The Surgeons Cut” and the recently launched “The Anthrax Attacks” for Netflix; “Dinosaurs: The Final Day with Sir David Attenborough” and “Universe with Professor Brian Cox” for the BBC; and the Ad-Funded Programming series “Cook Clever, Waste Less with Prue Leith” for Channel 4.

Lorenz joined from Wonderhood Studios, where she was Deputy Creative Director, developing and winning commissions including BBC Three’s “Trump in Tweets,” Channel 4’s “Baby Surgeons: Delivering Miracles,” the recent “Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life,” and BBC One’s “The Airport: Back in the Skies,” the latter two which she was also an Executive Producer on. Previously she was Director of Development for Lion TV, securing 26 commissions across her three years there.

“BBC Studios’ Science Unit is making some amazing content both for the big streamers and the domestic market, and with their impeccable track record, an envy-inducing BBC back catalogue and the fact they work with the brightest talent, both on and off screen, they really are first in their field. It’s a genuinely exciting and creative place to be, and the opportunity to work with such a talented team made the role irresistible,”  Emma Lorenz said.

Andrew Cohen, Head of BBC Studios’ Science Units, commented: “We are incredibly lucky to have Emma joining our team at a time when we are expanding our ambitions in the UK market. Emma brings a huge wealth of creativity and energy, with a track record that simply speaks for itself. I’m very much looking forward to working with Emma as we build on our recent successes in the documentary and format space.”

Nicola Cook, Development Director for the Science Unit, added: “Emma’s experience and knowledge of the factual industry is second to none. We’re delighted to have her join the team and excited about working with her to take the storytelling skills and expertise of the Science Unit in new directions as we expand the range of our output.”