Lorraine Newman is leaving as exec producer. Dominic Treadwell Collins is replacing her

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/eastenders-exec-prod.html

It's sad that her tenure was so underwhelming, given her long history with the show.

Many of DTC's stories were so over-sensationalized the last time, but that works for press attention, which they may going for again. He'll be EP this time though, so it will be interesting to see what his story producing team looks like.

I mostly remember DTC for those very gay and very annoying interviews he used to do in the Eastenders Revealed shows, complete with story descriptions that made no sense (Syed and Christian were supposed to be "Romeo and Romeo" - unless they killed themselves at the end, I didn't see it). He also came up with the Tanya buries Max alive story, which was pure trash.

The DTC era was all shock value all the time. I guess it worked for the ratings with Collinson and Corrie, but I don't care about that.

I guess Mitchell fans will be happy.

For all the good he did as Story Editor/Producer of Family Affairs, I was never completely convinced of his work at Eastenders (and this is someone who championed all things and people FA, The Bill and Dream Team).

But, it's possible he was working to ('Dashing' "Ooh, aint he gorgeous" in my best Barbara Windsor voice) Diederick Santer's directive so I'll do what I learned to do after largely getting it wrong about Bryan Kirkwood, and wait and see what happens.

I can predict, however, that there will be a massive bloodletting of both cast and crew (especially the story team and writers).

I was rather hoping that Lorraine Newman would work things out, because of how long she has been with the show and because I feel this is another victory for 'mob rule' and our poisonous written press.

Edited July 29, 201312 yr by UK LAW

It's funny though, wasn't it Kate Harwood who hired him at EE initially? And here she is, almost 8 years later, hiring him as EP.

I really don't trust her judgement.

Oh wow. Lorraine is out? Praise God!

I just hope that this doesn't remain the Branning family hour and pointless characters like AJ, Joey, etc. just go.

At least DTC is not boring. The show needs a shot in the arm -- badly. I'm interested to see where he takes things.

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Anna Wing. Lou was a force in early EE and definitely one of my favorite characters from the show's history. RIP!!

OK, I admit after my last post a while back, I've become hooked again on Eastenders. We're a few years behind, as I mentioned--today was Ronnie's final appearance (until this year?) where she finally is sentenced to 3 years--which from what I can tell is July 2011. (I looked that date up online, but what's funny is since I follow the UK pop charts so closely--or at least did until this year--I often have some idea of when the show must have aired by the pop songs playing in the background.)

One question--I always find UK soap schedules very confusing, even when I spent a year there and only casually watched, I found it hard to keep up. EE airs five times a week here--is it currently at four or five episodes (for the most part) in the UK?

Edited August 6, 201312 yr by EricMontreal22

EE airs 4 episodes a week; Mon, Tues, Thur & Fri.

The show became such a chore after Womack left. She carried that storyline through Kat and Alfie's terriblly wirtten return (and entire 2.0 tenure so far) and Jessie Wallace's mediorce performances.

I suspect my interest in the show right now is partly due to only working part time this Summer--and not being really invested in any of the soaps except the online ones at the moment--which obviously I go through quickly (I'm holding out this week--or trying to.) I do admit I have little interest in Kat and Alfie and I think it's largely due to Kat's acting (and the writing.) They seem to be throwing in several new characters who have been pointless so far.

Samantha Womack did this interview on her return:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/scoop/a511616/eastenders-samantha-womack-on-ronnie-return-and-new-storylines.html

David Wicks returns on the 27th:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/posts/Photo-Spoiler-Cashback

I didn't know Jean was leaving.

Barbara Windsor's one off...goodness me is she ever needed on this show. She slipped right back into Peggy Mitchell. This episode definitely left the door open for her to return...or not. I hope she does.