UKTV appoints Helen Perry as Head of Drama

UKTV has appointed Helen Perry as Head of Drama to lead the multi-channel broadcaster's growing original drama slate. Starting in January 2024, Helen will executive produce scripted drama programmes across UKTV's Alibi, Drama and Dave channels. Helen starts the role in early January 2024."I am delighted that Helen is going to be joining the team at such an exciting time for scripted content at UKTV," Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning, said. 

Reporting to Rosen, Perry will join the team responsible for creating some of UKTV's most successful drama series including "Annika," "Traces," "The Diplomat," "We Hunt Together" and "Ragdoll," as well as other recently announced commissions, including "The Marlow Murder Club" and "The Red King.""As we expand original drama across more of our channels, Helen's wealth of experience in developing and commissioning eye-catching shows will be invaluable," Rosen said. "Her enthusiasm shines through and I think she will be a fantastic fit for the team."

Perry joins from ITV where she was a Commissioning Editor for Drama working with some of the country's biggest indies. During the tenure, she worked on original dramas such as the upcoming "Mr Bates vs The Post Office," starring Toby Jones and "Playing Nice," starring James Norton, alongside returning series such as "DI Ray," "Professor T," "The Bay" and "Grantchester." She also worked on a number of new commissions which are still to be announced. "Helen has been a wonderful part of the ITV drama commissioning team and we will miss her," Polly Hill, ITV's Head of Drama said. "The year has gone all too quickly, but our loss is UKTV's gain. We all wish her well and know she will be brilliant in her new role."

Before joining ITV Perry was an Assistant Commissioner for BBC Drama where she worked across both development and production for Drama Commissioning, exec producing shows including BBC One true crime "Steeltown Murders" and "The Pact." She also led on new writer development for BBC Writersroom. Before joining BBC Drama Commissioning, she served as Script Executive at Bad Wolf on the acclaimed HBO/BBC drama Industry. Prior to that she was a Development Producer for BBC Writersroom, leading the team in Wales, finding and nurturing emerging talent with a focus on Welsh talent. Helen began her career as an award-winning audio drama producer/director creating original dramas for Radio 3, 4, 1Xtra, the World Service and BBC Sounds working with writers such as Alice Birch and Daniel Kaluuya.

"My time working for the extraordinary Polly Hill at ITV has been nothing short of inspiring so I'm thrilled to take this next step to become UKTV's new Head of Drama," Perry said. "UKTV is known for creating unique, quality shows that audiences love. This is an incredible opportunity to build on past successes, to lead the drama strategy forwards and to realise UKTVs ambition to be the home of bold, unmissable and entertaining drama. I look forward to creatively collaborating with the UK production community, to offer a platform to new voices and the very best talent, and to deliver stand-out dramas that will cut through and entertain the nation."