Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Dominic Treadwell-Collins (born 26 August 1977) is a British television producer, known for his work on the soap operas Family Affairs and EastEnders.

Career

Treadwell-Collins' first job in television was for the ITV crime drama series Midsomer Murders, devising means of killing off characters.^[2] He moved to Talkback Thames for four years,^[3] working as a story producer on the five soap opera Family Affairs, where he was taught to storyline by Ian Aldwinckle.^{[citation needed]} In 2007, he named the show winning the 2005 British Soap Award for "Best Storyline" the biggest achievement of his career.^[2] Family Affairs was cancelled in 2005, which surprised Treadwell-Collins, who had expected that several award wins meant the show would be extended. He felt that viewers remained "incredibly loyal" to the series, and that it would have had greater longevity had it aired on a different channel, or been better publicised by five.^[4]

Treadwell-Collins began working on the BBC soap opera EastEnders in October 2005,^[3] as a senior story editor under Brigie de Courcy, before becoming story producer in January 2007.^[2] He was responsible for running the EastEnders story department, working with the show's writers to devise future storylines.^[2] In his first year on the show, he created the characters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack and Rita Simons.^[5] In response to criticism of the show's lack of characters with disabilities, EastEnders producers planned to introduce several handicapped actors in early 2009. Treadwell-Collins felt that such characters are often portrayed as being "noble or 'worthy'", and suggested that EastEnders subvert this stereotype by making the new roles flawed.^[6] He created the storyline in which the Muslim character Syed Masood struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality, and his relationship with Christian Clarke,^{[citation needed]} as well as the Who Killed Archie? whodunnit, which culminated in the show's first live episode in February 2010.^[3]

Treadwell-Collins stood down from his EastEnders role on 25 June 2010, becoming head of development at Kudos' Lovely Day production company. The company is run by former EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer, who commented: "Dominic is a brilliant and original talent, bursting with great ideas and gripping stories. Many of EastEnders' best storylines and characters of the last few years have come directly from his imagination and design, and he played an integral part in conceiving and plotting the hugely successful 25th anniversary episodes. I'm delighted to be resuming our creative partnership at Lovely Day." Treadwell-Collins stated: "I have had an amazing time at EastEnders and I couldn't have dreamed of a better place to work. Working on EastEnders has enabled me to create some fantastic storylines and characters that have been received so well but after four-and-a-half years of life in Walford, I feel that it is time to move on and try something new."^[3]

On 29 July 2013, it was announced Treadwell-Collins would return to EastEnders as Executive Producer, taking over from Lorraine Newman, who resigned from the role after 16 months in the job. Treadwell-Collins assumed position on 19 August 2013,^[7] with his first episode as Executive Producer broadcast on 9 December 2013. Treadwell-Collins oversaw the introductions of the Carters, signing on Danny Dyer as Mick Carter (brother of Shirley Carter and Tina Carter), Kellie Bright as Mick's wife Linda Carter,^[8] Sam Strike as their son Johnny Carter, Maddy Hill as their daughter Nancy Carter,^[9] Timothy West as Shirley, Mick and Tina's father Stan Carter, and Annette Badland as their maternal aunt, Babe Smith.^[10] He has also brought back past characters Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy),^[11] Charlie Slater (Derek Martin),^[12] Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner),^[13] and Jane Clarke (Laurie Brett),^[14] the latter was kept under wraps for several months. Rebecca Fowler,^[11] and Shabnam Masood,^[15] also returned but, both were recast and played by Jasmine Armfield and Rakhee Thakrar respectively.

Personal life

Treadwell-Collins lives in London. He grew up near the BBC Elstree Studios, and his childhood ambition was to work on EastEnders.^[2]

References

External links

• Dominic Treadwell-Collins at the Internet Movie Database