Beth Willis (producer)
Beth Willis (born 1978) is a British television executive who is currently joint Managing Director of television production company The Forge, a subsidiary of Banijay UK.
Career
[edit]In her early career, Willis worked as a script editor on Agatha Christie's Poirot and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard.
Willis was the producer of the BBC drama series Ashes to Ashes[1], and was an executive producer (alongside Steven Moffat and Piers Wenger) of the fifth and sixth series of Doctor Who (broadcast in 2010 and 2011).[2]
From 2012 to 2018, Willis worked at Channel 4, initially as Deputy Head of Drama, before becoming Head of Drama in 2016.[3] While at Channel 4, Willis commissioned the BAFTA-winning The End of the F***ing World, BAFTA-winning National Treasure and RTS-winning No Offence and Humans.[4]
In 2018, Willis joined The Forge to work alongside founder George Faber[5] and she became joint Managing Director (with George Ormond) in 2026.[6] The Forge productions overseen by Willis include The Buccaneers for Apple TV[7] and the upcoming A Woman of Substance for Channel 4.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Willis is the granddaughter of late writer and prominent Labour peer, Ted Willis, Baron Willis, and she was educated at Blackheath High School.
References
[edit]- ^ Willis, Beth (20 January 2008). "It's 1981, and 'Ashes to Ashes' - the sequel to 'Life on Mars' - finds DCI Gene Hunt in the land of perms, red leather ties and cocktail bars... As the first episodes were shot, producer Beth Willis kept a diary". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "BBC Cymru Wales announces new Doctor Who producers". BBC Press Office (Press release). 15 April 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
- ^ "Beth Willis appointed Channel 4's Head of Drama". Channel 4 Press Office. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "The Forge - Beth Willis". The Forge Entertainment. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ White, Peter (25 June 2018). "Channel 4's Head Of Drama Beth Willis Exits & Joins 'National Treasure' Producer The Forge". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (14 January 2026). "George Faber Becoming Executive Chairman At 'The Buccaneers' Producer The Forge; Beth Willis & George Ormond Promoted To MD". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "Apple TV+ unveils sneak peek at "The Buccaneers"". Apple TV Press. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Brenda Blethyn and Jessica Reynolds to lead Channel 4 adaptation of A Woman of Substance". Channel 4 Press Office. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
External links
[edit]- Beth Willis at IMDb
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