Information AboutJulia Smith |
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EARLY CAREER London-born Smith became involved in television production when she directed the series ''Suspense'' in 1962. Soon, she was directing popular BBC shows such as '' Z Cars '' (in 1962); and '' Doctor Who '' (in 1966), where she directed the stories " The Smugglers " and " The Underwater Menace ". In 1967 she directed an adaptation of '' The Railway Children '' with Jenny Agutter that was successful enough for it to lead to the fondly remembered 1970 film in which Agutter reprised her role of Roberta. Whilst working on ''Z Cars'' she had met Tony Holland who was a writer for the show. The two of them became an established producer/script-editor team and went on to work for the BBC's long-running hospital drama, '' Angels '' (1975-83). ''EastEnders'' :''Main article: History Of EastEnders In 1983 the BBC contacted Smith and Holland to create a new popular bi-weekly serial drama. Two ideas were given to them, one about a caravan site, the other about a shopping arcade. Neither of them liked either of the ideas, and demanded to be able to create something about what they ''knew'' - in the words of Smith - "London - today!" Together they came up with the idea of a serial set in the East End of London in a Victorian Square. When casting for the show, Smith had the guideline 'Only genuine Eastenders need apply'; it was this that gave her the idea for the name of the show, which would be called '' EastEnders ''. Originally the show was to be called ''Eastenders'', but Jonathan Powell , then Head of Drama at the BBC who had commissioned the show, made the tentative suggestion that the second "e" didn't look good on paper, and said that perhaps it should be capitalized. It was, for which Smith later said "...we were eternally grateful to him!" ''Eldorado'' After the success of '' EastEnders '', Smith and Holland collaborated again on the ill-fated BBC soap opera '' Eldorado ''. Holland created the series — based on an original idea by Verity Lambert — and Smith was producer. The BBC obviously hoped that, after '' EastEnders '', Smith and Holland could make drama gold again. It wasn't to be, a series of circumstances meaning the series was one of the most expensive flops that the BBC had experienced. Smith was blamed for the programme's shortcomings and was fired, which left her very bitter towards the BBC, who she believed hadn't given '' Eldorado '' a chance to establish itself. DEATH Following the demise of ''Eldorado'', Smith retired from television work. She died of cancer in 1997. Several stalwart cast members of '' EastEnders '', including Wendy Richard , attended her funeral. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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