Analysis Finds ‘Gendered Ageism’ Among BAFTA Women TV Nominees – Global Bulletin
In today’s Global Bulletin, the decreasing average of ages in BAFTA TV actress nominees raises ageism concerns; Gary Barlow sets music show at the BBC; RED Productions hires Chloe Dunbar as head of development; the European Audiovisual Observatory and the U.K.’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announce sustainability conference; “Game of Thrones” prequel finds home at Sky Atlantic; and a Stanley Tucci Italian culinary series will debut in June on CNN International.
An analysis conducted by the Acting Your Age Campaign has found that since 2000, the average age of BAFTA leading TV actresses nominees has reduced from 52 to 32. “The messaging of this downwards age-trend is clear and worrying,” the analysis states. “Gendered ageism is seemingly increasing.”
More from Variety
Christopher Eccleston Leads Cast of BBC 'Oliver Twist' Inspired Series 'Dodger' - Global Bulletin
Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, Golden Globe Winners Fast-Tracked for U.K. Visas
Coldplay Performance to Open Brit Awards Show - Global Bulletin
In 2021 alone, nominees Daisy Edgar-Jones (“Normal People”), Billie Piper (“I Hate Suzie”), Hayley Squires (“Adult Material”), Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”) and Letitia Wright (“Small Axe”) are aged between 22 and 38.
For male nominees in the leading TV actor category, the downward trend is present, but much lower, with the average age of nominees reducing from 48 to 45.
In terms of winners in both categories, the analysis finds the average age of women has reduced from 51 to 38, and a marginal reduction for men, from 51 to 48.
“On screen in the U.K, men have a whole life and women, seemingly, only a shelf life and as this analysis shows the situation for women over 45 appears to be getting worse,” said Nicky Clark, actor and founder of the Acting Your Age Campaign. Clark is contacting BAFTA to discuss the issues raised by the analysis.
MUSIC SHOW
Penny Lane Entertainment is partnering with Gary Barlow to co-produce a one-off hour-long music and entertainment show “I’m With the Band” (working title) for BBC One. The show’s format sees a supergroup of artists come together and perform classic songs from past and present, along with some laid-back chat.
Led by Barlow on keys and vocals, the band also includes Jamie Cullum (piano and vocals), James Bay (guitar and vocals), Mica Paris (vocals), Guy Chambers (keyboards and musical director), Tom Fletcher (guitar and vocals), Danya Fisher (bass) and Donavan Hepburn (drums). Show guests include Anne-Marie, DJ and producer Nathan Dawe, rapper MoStack and Craig David.
The show director is Chris Howe and executive producers are Mark Sidaway and Lee Connolly. It was commissioned by Owen Courtney for BBC Music.
APPOINTMENT
Studiocanal‘s indie production outfit RED Productions (“It’s a Sin”) has hired Chloe Dunbar as head of development, reporting to CEO Sarah Doole. Joining on May 10, Dunbar will be responsible for developing and implementing RED’s development strategy, originating and pitching new project ideas, and driving projects into production for both U.K. and global audiences.
Dunbar joins RED from Hera Pictures, where she was head of development and is credited with originating and developing the company’s first greenlit returnable series, “Temple,” which has recently finished shooting its second series for Sky.
CONFERENCE
The European Audiovisual Observatory and the U.K.’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will host online conference Boosting Sustainable Film Through International Collaboration on June 9. It will focus on how to accelerate environmental sustainability across the film, TV and streaming sectors.
The Strasbourg-based observatory will provide an overview of the various types of sustainable “green” film initiatives across Europe aiming to identify the most promising areas of international co-operation.
The event will be hosted by Tricia Duffy, chair of the BAFTA Albert sustainability directorate, and moderated by Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London. Speakers will include Tim Wagendorp from the Flemish Audiovisual Fund, Lucia Recalde from the European Commission and Julie-Jeanne Regnault from the European Film Agencies. The program was devised with the support of the British Film Institute.
DIVERSITY
The British Film Commission (BFC), which was awarded £4.8 million ($6.64 million) additional funding over three years from the U.K. government in 2020 to expand its work promoting the U.K. as a destination of choice for studio space investment, is partnering with the Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) to support delivery of its Stage Space Support and Development Strategy.
£100,000 ($138,000) is being invested in PGGB’s new Mission Inclusion program, which complements the strategy’s equality, diversity and inclusion priorities. It will be led by Jivan Mann, PGGB’s newly appointed Diversity and Inclusion Action Group producer.
PREQUEL
Upcoming drama series “House of the Dragon,” based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” will debut on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in 2022. The series, which is set 300 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen and recently began production.
Featured cast includes Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
NEW SERIES
“Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy,” a six-part CNN original series that follows Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as he travels across Italy to discover the secrets and delights of the country’s regional cuisines, is coming to CNN International on June 20.
In each episode, Tucci visits a different region or city of Italy, including Tuscany, Sicily, Milan, Rome, Bologna, and Naples/The Amalfi Coast.
CNN partnered with London-based film and television production company RAW to produce “Searching for Italy.”
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
