Michael Wearing

• Born 12 March 1939 in Southgate, north London. Wikipedia+2Telegraph+2

• His parents were Douglas Wearing, a Stock Exchange clerk, and Molly (née Dawson). Telegraph+1

• He attended Dame Alice Owen’s Grammar School in Islington. Wikipedia+2The Independent+2

• He studied Anthropology at Durham University. Wikipedia+1

Early Career (Theatre, then BBC Regions)

• After university, he worked two years as a research assistant at Leeds University, where he also directed plays. The Independent+1

• He then moved into theatre professionally: assistant stage manager work (e.g. Bromley rep) and directing at venues such as the Royal Court Theatre. Telegraph+1

• A touring production (“Diary of a Madman” by Gogol, one-man show) led to his work being seen in Birmingham; he was then invited by David Rose to join the BBC’s English Regions Drama Department at Pebble Mill (Birmingham) as a script editor in 1976. Wikipedia+2The Independent+2

Rise to Prominence at the BBC

• In his role as script editor/producer in the regional drama department, he worked on Play for Today dramas, including Alan Bleasdale’s The Black Stuff (original play) and Scully’s New Year’s Eve. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2

• Boys from the Blackstuff (1982): perhaps his best-known early production. It was a serial (five episodes plus the original play) dealing with unemployment and working-class life in Liverpool during the Thatcher era. It made a big impact socially and critically. The Independent+3The Guardian+3Wikipedia+3

• Edge of Darkness (1985): another landmark series, a thriller with political, environmental, and personal themes. It won many awards. The Guardian+1

Leadership Roles & Later Major Works

• In 1989, Wearing became Head of Serials at the BBC. Later he briefly served as Head of Series & Serials, then continued in charge of Serials. Wikipedia+2Telegraph+2

• Under his leadership, the BBC produced several huge literary adaptations: Middlemarch (1993), Pride and Prejudice (1995), among others. Wikipedia+2The Independent+2

• Our Friends in the North (1996) was one of his significant personal projects; he had wanted to bring this story to screen for years. The Guardian+1

Style, Influence, & Reputation

• Known for tackling socially and politically engaged subjects. His dramas often explored economic hardship, politics, class, moral and ethical dilemmas. The Guardian+1

• He valued writer’s voice, strong dramatic material, and was sometimes critical of management styles or commercial pressures he felt threatened creative freedom. The Guardian+2Telegraph+2

Awards & Recognition

• In 1997, he received the Alan Clarke Award at the BAFTA Television Awards for outstanding creative achievement. Wikipedia+1

• Many of his productions won or were nominated for BAFTAs. The Independent+2The Guardian+2

Departure from the BBC & Final Years

• In 1998, he left his post at the BBC (Head of Serials) amid frustrations over creative constraints, and concerns about the direction of the drama department under new management. Telegraph+2The Guardian+2

• After leaving staff, he did freelance work, and also worked with Irish Screen on productions. Wikipedia+1

• Michael Wearing died on 5 May 2017. Wikipedia+1