continuing drama

The Secret of Soaps: The Story Behind the Stories

No one could accuse Coronation Street of taking it easy, even though this would be understandable for a middle-aged British telly institution. Over the last couple of years the ITV soap has given viewers multiple murders, deaths and suicides; explosions and a minibus crash; a pre-teen pregnancy; and even a gay vicar.

Audiences have been lapping up the drama, which regularly attracts more than 7 million viewers. Corrie remains the nation’s favourite soap.

Drama Masterclass with director Jordan Hogg | RTS Student Masterclasses 2024

Jordan Hogg has over 70 hours of broadcast TV credits, including the ground-breaking and multi-award-winning BBC One drama, Ralph & Katie – the first drama to feature two learning disabled lead actors. He previously directed Channel 4 prison drama Screw and the third and fourth series of Ackley Bridge.

For this year's Masterclasses, Hogg talks to Diederick Santer about how he goes about shooting everything from a unique angle, and opens up about the roots of his tenacious drive.

ITV’s big drama: Television speaks to drama boss Steve November

On 18 September 2016, Steve November has a problem. At 9:00pm that night, the slot arrives in ITV’s schedule that would normally be filled by the season premiere of Downton Abbey.

As Director of Drama for the ITV network, November has to find a replacement – Downton is ending, with the last ever episode to air this coming Christmas Day. And, given Downton’s blockbuster ratings performance, it’s going to be a fiendishly difficult act to follow.