Wire In The Blood axed from ITV

Feb 6 2009 by Katy Simpson, The Journal

Coastal is the only production company in the North East making prime-time drama, and was set up 12 years ago by Robson and Sandra Jobling with the specific aim of making feature films and TV dramas in the North East.

Wire starred Robson as eccentric clinical psychologist Tony Hill in tales of violent murder.

The move is the second blow for regional programming in less than a fortnight – after ITV revealed it was not commissioning another series of Yorkshire-based Heartbeat.

Despite Coastal’s difficulties with ITV, Val still hopes Wire fans may one day see the series continued.

She said: “I know Sandra is talking to people about other options, but it’s tough times at the moment. We are not giving up without a fight, and that’s the hallmark of the North East.”

Stark warning

VAL McDermid’s concerns about the state of the industry echo those of chief executive Tom Harvey of Northern Film & Media.

Speaking to The Journal last month, he warned that the region’s film-making industry is at serious risk.

Before Wire was axed, he had already invited MPs and TV production crews to a meeting at Newcastle’s Live Theatre on February 16.

He is concerned about the loss of shows such as Byker Grove, 55 Degrees North, and children’s series Alistair Fury, and how the moves affect the identity of the North East.

Northern Film & Media has lost 100 TV professionals from its database in just the last 18 months, as work has dried up.

Now with the loss of Wire, this month’s meeting has become even more critical.

Mr Harvey said: "This is a very sad day for North East network TV. Coastal Productions have done a fantastic job of securing prime-time drama for the North East.

"It is hard to underestimate how important Coastal Productions, Sandra and Robson, are to the North East. That is why Northern Film & Media has been working hard with Coastal to find a long term solution to current difficulties through our Network TV Investment Fund. Northern Film & Media’s warning that the North East could disappear from national TV screens is fast becoming a reality."