Julie Gardner's star continues to rise

As speculated on Vicious Imagery a few months back, Doctor Who executive producer Julie Gardner is getting a powerful new post within the BBC. From next month the current head of drama for BBC Wales will be responsible for 'putting together a drama strategy for UK independents working with BBC Vision, the corporation's new multimedia content, commissioning and channels group', according to the new issue of Broadcast. Gardner's boss, BBC controller of fiction Jane Tranter, will continue to have the final say over commissioning alongside channel controllers.

While Gardner works with the indies, John Yorke will control the Beeb's in-house drama production. He chairs an in-house drama board and Gardner will do the same for indie dramas. [Among those on the board is Anne Mensah, the head of drama for Scotland. She popped up at the Writing for River City Q&A last month in Edinburgh and seems wonderfully approachable.] The good news for people who enjoy the likes of Doctor Who and Life on Mars is that Gardner will continue to act as executive producer on those series, as well as the Who spin-offs Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

You've got to wonder, when does Julie Gardner sleep?