JULIE GARDNER JOINS BBC WORLDWIDE'S U.S. PRODUCTION STUDIO

"Doctor Who" Exec to Become Key Member of Jane Tranter's Scripted Team

March 3, 2009 � Los Angeles, California � BBC Worldwide America today announced the appointment of Julie Gardner as Executive Producer under exclusive contract. Gardner, who headed up the revival of sci-fi series Doctor Who, to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, is the first hire announced by Jane Tranter, recently-appointed Executive Vice President, Programming and Production, BBC Worldwide America.

Gardner will be responsible for scripted projects, working with top-level U.S. writers in addition to UK creative talent including Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Casanova), Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharaoh (Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes). She is expected to join the LA studio full-time in June of this year.

Gardner was formerly Head of Drama, BBC Wales. In this role, she was responsible for the production of a string of hit dramas including Doctor Who, Torchwood, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, Being Human, Girl in a Cafe, Stuart: A Life Backward, Mistresses and Casanova.

Gardner and Tranter's working relationship began when Tranter assigned Gardner to head up the revival of Doctor Who. Working with writer and executive producer Russell T Davies, the series debuted in March 2005 to huge audience and critical acclaim. Gardner went on to oversee two Doctor Who spin-offs, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

"Julie is a remarkable talent and I've had the privilege of working with her for the past six years. She brings an unprecedented insight into drama development and production and has a solid track record of forging strong relationships with the creative community," commented Tranter. "She will be an asset to our already talented team of scripted executives, and we all feel lucky to have her working with us."

"I couldn't be more excited to join Jane and the team in Los Angeles," said Julie Gardner. "I'm a long-time fan of US dramas - everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to The West Wing to Breaking Bad. To have the chance to work with some of the best creative talent on both sides of the Atlantic, it's a dream come true."

Gardner first joined the BBC in 2000 where she worked as a script editor and producer. She went on to work for London Weekend Television where she produced dramas including the multi award-winning modern version of Othello. Returning to the BBC in 2003, Gardner took the post of Head of Drama, BBC Wales.

On her arrival in LA, Gardner will be working alongside Development Executive, Angie Stephenson, and SVP of Programming and Production, Ian Moffitt, who also serves as an Executive Producer on the U.S. pilot of Absolutely Fabulous.

About BBC Worldwide America:

BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). BBC Worldwide America, helmed by President Garth Ancier, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC and Rhode Island, brings together all of BBC Worldwide's businesses in the U.S. The company exists to maximize the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the UK license payer, and invests in public service programming in return for rights. The company has seven core businesses: Channels, Sales and Distribution, Content and Production, Home Entertainment, Digital Media, Global Brands and Magazines. Under these businesses fall two key brands in the U.S. � digital cable channel BBC America and a bi-coastal production arm responsible for the smash hit Dancing with the Stars for ABC.