BBC finds Stephenson drama replacement

Polly Hill has been appointed controller of drama commissioning at the BBC, replacing the outgoing Ben Stephenson at the UK pubcaster.

Hill has been head of independent drama since 2011, ordering series including The Missing, The Honourable Woman, Death in Paradise and Poldark.

She said: “Under Ben Stephenson’s leadership BBC Drama has thrived, it’s in an incredible place and I would like to personally thank him. I look forward to steering BBC Drama into the future and building on this success; continuing to be the home of the most original and ambitious storytelling across a range of drama that is unique to the BBC.”

Hill originally joined the BBC in 2005 as an exec producer, before being upped to commissioning editor in 2008. Prior to the BBC she was a script editor and worked on various drama series.

The pubcaster said the new drama boss will “work closely with Ben Stephenson over the coming days as she begins her new role”. Stephenson is leaving the BBC to become head of television at J.J. Abrams prodco Bad Robot.

“I’m delighted that Polly will be leading BBC Drama Commissioning,” said Danny Cohen, director of BBC Television. “We are determined to keep developing our reputation for dramatic range and quality, working with the very best established and emerging writers and being home to the most ambitious and risky projects.”