EastEnders boss Ben Wadey will take the BBC soap into ‘uncharted territory’ following his appointment as Executive Producer.
Ben previously worked as a Storyliner and Story Editor on the serial, focussing on the show’s 35th anniversary and introducing the Panesar clan.
He was also Story Producer on the final series of Holby City, before becoming the commissioning executive at Channel 4.
In February, he took charge of EastEnders from the much-celebrated Chris Clenshaw, who departed following the 40th anniversary episodes.
It usually takes a while to see a new producer’s ideas come into fruition, but Ben’s forthcoming stint has already received significant recognition from Kate Oates, the Beeb’s Head of Continuing Drama.
This comes following a huge scoop for the show, which took home the gong for Best Soap and Continuing Drama at last night’s BAFTA TV Awards.
On the red carpet, Kate teased what was ahead.
‘We can tease that all those heartland characters have some really, really big stuff coming up, actually,’ she said.
‘We’ve got some uncharted territory, which considering we’re following on the heels of Mr Clenshaw is quite an accolade, because he has broken quite a lot of fresh ground.’
Continuing to RadioTimes, Kate added: ‘I think the challenge for Ben – who is our new exec – has been to carry on after Chris’s success, but he is very much ready to do that and we’re excited as a team.
‘We’re going to miss Chris terribly, but we’re also really excited for what’s to come.’
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She also teased that another familiar face could be coming home to Albert Square.
They will follow in the footsteps of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), David Wicks (Michael French), Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley) and Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), who have all returned – alongside many other names – over the last year.
‘If you like a return, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed, because there’s potentially one on the cards’ she said.
‘There are some really big stories coming up and if it’s a return you’re after, then you might be interested in what’s on the horizon.’
But who could it be?
