A new documentary on the iconic Hacienda club is among three new factual commissions from Northern production companies announced by BBC England.
All three build upon the broadcaster’s plans to boost portrayal of all UK audiences – following last year’s announcement it would partner with regional indies to “better serve audiences across the country”.
‘The Hacienda: The Club That Changed Britain’ (w/t) is a one-off documentary produced by Leeds-based Wise Owl Films, marking 40 years since the opening of the legendary acid house-focused club, which ultimately closed in June 1997.
A co-commission with BBC Popular Music Television, it will feature stars from the club’s history as well as regulars, featuring previously unseen archive footage and comments from those involved.
Two others – the third series of Villages by the Sea and the second series of Brickies – have also been announced.
Villages by the Sea from Salford-based Purple Productions will run to ten episodes and see archaeologist Ben Robinson visiting towns including Ravenglass in the Lake District to see their landscapes, streets and buildings.
Brickies, meanwhile, was commissioned as part of Northern Voices and will see the tradespeople and their apprentices once more facing the realities of life on a building site. It’s produced by Button Down in York, and will run again on BBC Three.
Head of TV Commissioning for BBC England, Aisling O’Connor, said: “BBC England is growing, developing and expanding its scope to make sure we’re reflecting people in every corner of the country.
“These new series provide a fantastic range of stories which give voices to communities and people not always seen on screen.
“We are working with even more independent production companies from across England, ensuring that we’re bringing the English landscape, locations and most importantly, people to our channels and iPlayer.”
