The director of the acclaimed period drama Wolf Hall, Peter Kosminsky, recently revealed some shocking insights into the challenges faced during the filming of the second series of the show. In an interview with BBC Two’s Newsnight, Kosminsky disclosed that budget pressures nearly led to the cancellation of the production just weeks before filming was set to begin. This revelation sheds light on the struggles faced by British TV in terms of funding, with Kosminsky describing the situation as a “genuinely existential crisis.”
The decision was made to cut costly exterior scenes in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, resulting in a significant shift in the production. Instead of grand outdoor settings, the Tudor drama became centered around “conversations in rooms,” a stark departure from the original vision. Kosminsky emphasized that public service broadcasters like the BBC and ITV are finding it increasingly challenging to finance high-end British dramas, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
To address the funding crisis in the industry, Kosminsky proposed the implementation of a 5% levy on UK subscription streaming revenues. The proceeds from this levy would be collected for a British cultural fund, providing much-needed support for the production of domestic content. This solution aims to align the UK with other European countries that utilize similar levies to fund local content creation.
The impact of rising production costs, exacerbated by factors such as the Covid pandemic and US actors’ and writers’ strikes, has put additional strain on the industry. Kosminsky’s concerns extend beyond Wolf Hall, as he believes that public service broadcasters would struggle to finance other landmark dramas like Mr Bates vs the Post Office or the popular Netflix series Adolescence. The escalating costs of TV production have outpaced the ability of traditional broadcasters to keep up, leading to a potential decline in the creation of such impactful content.
The call for a streaming levy to support the UK’s creative industry is gaining momentum, with industry professionals and executives echoing the need for sustainable funding models. However, the prospect of imposing levies on US-based streaming services raises questions about international relations and sovereignty. Despite the challenges, there is a growing consensus within the industry that urgent action is needed to safeguard the future of British storytelling.
As the landscape of television production continues to evolve, the debate around funding and support for domestic content creation remains at the forefront. The insights shared by Peter Kosminsky and other industry figures underscore the critical need for innovative solutions to ensure the preservation of British storytelling traditions. The future of high-end TV production in the UK hangs in the balance, with stakeholders advocating for proactive measures to sustain the industry’s vitality and creativity.
