At last month’s RTS Futures NI event, held at the new Ulster University campus, two BBC execs and a leading children’s TV director came together to shine a spotlight on the success story of children’s drama in Northern Ireland.
The panel featured Grainne McNamara, VP Development, Live Action and Animation at BBC Studios Kids & Family; Aidan Largey, who directed series two of CBBC sci-fi drama Silverpoint in Northern Ireland; and Amy Buscombe, Commissioning Editor, Drama at CBBC Independents.
Together, they brought an insight into the vibrant world of children’s content, from development and commissioning through to filming.
The panellists explained that Northern Ireland isn’t just a backdrop for stories – it is also offering a sense of place for many youngsters. From Dani’s Castle to Secret Life of Boys and Pickle Storm, the region is proving itself to be a powerhouse for children’s drama.
Series two of Pickle Storm – a fish-out-of-water comedy about a nine-year-old girl with uncontrollable magical powers, made by Black Dog Television in Northern Ireland – began airing on CBBC earlier this year.
Panellists agreed that these shows serve as blueprints for what is possible with local talent in Northern Ireland – and that, for the next generation of storytellers, film-makers and TV crew, now is an exciting time to be part of Northern Ireland’s screen industry.
