ITV ups Iain Macleod to oversee soaps ‘Emmerdale’ & Coronation Street’

Emmerdale (Source: ITV)

British broadcaster ITV and production and distribution arm ITV Studios has appointed Iain Macleod as executive producer for continuing drama.

With immediate effect, Macleod will be responsible for leading the creative teams who produce both long-running ITV soap operas, Coronation Street and Emmerdale, reporting to John Whiston, MD of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north of England.

Macleod will work alongside the series producer and producers for both shows and support them through all stages of production. Both titles sell to more than 130 countries, via ITV Studios.

Macleod has been Coronation Street’s series producer for the last five years, taking the reins in December 2018. Prior to that, he was series producer for Emmerdale between 2015 and 2018. He is also a former producer of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

“I’m delighted that Iain has agreed to take on what is probably one of the toughest, but most exciting, jobs in the TV world,” said Whiston. “Responsible for six hours of primetime ITV output 52 weeks of the year (that’s over three feature films worth) the job is not for the faint hearted. Luckily Iain has been hewn in the fire of continuing drama having produced all three northern soaps, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.”