UKTV hires ITV’s Helen Perry to head up original drama

Helen Perry (Source: UKTV)

UKTV has hired ITV exec Helen Perry as head of drama to grow its original scripted slate across its channels Alibi, Drama and Dave.

Starting in January 2024, Perry will report to Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning, and will executive produce scripted drama for the broadcaster, joining the team responsible for shows including Annika, Traces, The Diplomat, We Hunt Together and Ragdoll.

Perry served as commissioning editor for drama at ITV, working on original titles such as the upcoming Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Playing Nice, alongside returning series such as DI Ray, Professor T, The Bay and Grantchester.

Before joining ITV, Perrywas an assistant commissioner for BBC Drama where she worked across both development and production for drama commissioning, exec producing shows including crime dramas Steeltown Murders and The Pact.

Prior to that, she was script executive at Bad Wolf on the HBO/BBC drama Industry and also served as a development producer for BBC Writersroom, leading the team in Wales, finding and nurturing emerging talent with a focus on Welsh talent.

“UKTV is known for creating unique, quality shows that audiences love. This is an incredible opportunity to build on past successes, to lead the drama strategy forwards and to realise UKTVs ambition to be the home of bold, unmissable and entertaining drama,” said Perry.