Emma Smithwick

Last updated

Emma Smithwick
Nationality Irish
Occupation TV Producer
Years activesince 2009
Television Hollyoaks

Emma Smithwick is an Irish television producer. Smithwick worked at the BBC for six years where she was involved with several shows for the teen brand BBC Switch and moved on to write for its in-house teen soap The Cut. For the final year of BBC Switch, Smithwick was a commissioning editor. In 2011 Smithwick moved to Hollyoaks to take on the role as Series Editor and later replaced Gareth Philips as the series producer of the soap opera Hollyoaks .

Contents

Career

Smithwick started her career as the assistant to the Producer on The Honeymooners feature film for Paramount Pictures. Smithwick then moved to the BBC in 2005 where she worked in Entertainment Events and worked on Saturday night entertainment shows including Strictly Come Dancing and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria. Smithwick then moved on to set up BBC Switch with Geoffrey Goodwin and Andy Parfitt. She continued to work at BBC Switch as a creative producer across drama and comedy. [1] While at the BBC, she worked on the teen soap The Cut as a script supervisor and then as a writer. [2]

In May 2011, The producer began working on Channel 4's soap opera Hollyoaks as the acting series editor. [3] Producer replaced Gareth Philips as the series producer. [4] Smithwick's first episode in which she was credited as series producer aired on 26 December 2011. [3] Philips introduced the sixth form students and the uni students into the show and Smithwick continued to keep them at the centre, with the aim of creating a more realistic portrayal of university life through the introduction of these characters and focussing on the friendship groups rather than just on families. [4] Talking about her vision for the show, the producer said: "through the stories that we're telling and the way we're telling them, we want the audience to really engage with the characters. It definitely takes time but when that happens, it means you can do things with the characters and the viewers will really care. I find the worst thing is when you watch certain shows and something horrendous happens, but you don't really care or know why you should care. Emotional integrity is one of the key things that I want to drive through". [3]

One of Smithwick's main storylines, building up for over a year was the teen girl bullying storyline which came to a climax with Esther Bloom attempting suicide. The episode aired and brought in the highest viewing figures for over two years and hit an all-time high on E4. Talking to Radio Times , the producer said she is "passionate about the portrayal of women in the media in general and specifically on television that's aimed at a younger audience. I'm determined to be part of the solution and not part of the problem". She also explained that she would like to "redefine what sexy and glamorous is in Hollyoaks" and present teenage girls with "an emotional encyclopedia that's relevant to the changes and issues in their lives". [5]

Smithwick was responsible for the abolition of the Hollyoaks calendar.

Smithwick executive produced the fifth series of Hollyoaks Later. [6] During her later time on the soap, the producer produced high-profile storylines such as the Mitzeee v Mercedes feud, Lynsey Nolan's (Karen Hassan) murder, George Smith's (Steven Roberts) struggle with homelessness, Silas' return, Brendan Brady's feud with Walker (Neil Newbon), Ste and Brendan's Dublin reunion, Esther Bloom's bullying and attempted suicide and the "Enjoy The Ride " wedding/bus crash . The producer was also responsible for the introduction of Dr Browning, Martha Kane, Lacey Kane, Joel Dexter, Phoebe Jackson, Ali Grogan, Maxine Minniver and for bringing back John-Paul McQueen. Smithwick oversaw the storylines for Hollyoaks Later in which Brendan Brady discovers that Neil Newbon is an undercover police officer, determined to do whatever it takes to bring him down. The producer worked with Bryan Kirkwood to produce the bus crash storyline to help the serial in "appealing to a wider audience". Kirkwood explained that together he and Smithwick "decided that it was time for a big, show-stopping, blockbuster sequence to grab the audience's attention and hopefully bring them back to Hollyoaks. We realised we needed to engage some of the older audience again and this was how to do it". Smithwick and Kirkwood devised the Enjoy The Ride storyline which saw the deaths of four regular characters through a minibus crash. [7]

On 29 September 2012, it was announced Smithwick would leave Hollyoaks after stepping down from her role as series producer. [8]

At the British Soap Awards 2013, Hollyoaks won 5 awards including Best OnScreen Partnership (Kieron Richardson and Emmett Scalan); Best Actress (Claire Cooper); Sexiest Male (Danny Mac); Spectacular Scene (the bus crash); and Best Newcomer (Joe Thompson)

Related Research Articles

Hollyoaks is a British soap opera which originally began airing on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was created by Phil Redmond, who had previously conceived the soap opera Brookside. From 2005 to 2023, episodes have aired on sister channel E4 a day prior to their broadcast on Channel 4. In 2023, Hollyoaks was removed from Channel 4's early evening schedule, but remains on E4 and Channel 4's on demand service with episodes now uploaded to YouTube. At its inception, the soap was targeted towards an adolescent and young adult audience but it has since broadened its appeal to all age groups. Hollyoaks has covered various taboo subjects rarely seen on British television, for which it has received numerous awards. It has won the award for Best British Soap twice, in 2014 and 2019; its first win broke the 15-year tie between rival soap operas EastEnders and Coronation Street. Beginning with a cast of 15 characters, it now has 37 regular cast members. The longest-serving actor is Nick Pickard, who has portrayed Tony Hutchinson since the first episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Metcalfe</span> English actress (born 1983)

Jennifer Joanne Metcalfe is an English actress. She is known for her role as Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, which she has appeared in since 2006. Her portrayal of the character has led to her reprising the role in the programme's spin-off series Hollyoaks Later between 2008 and 2020. She appeared as a contestant in the sixth series of Dancing on Ice in 2011, where she finished in tenth place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie Waring</span> English actress (born 1978)

Stephanie Louise Waring is an English actress, known for her roles in the Australian soap opera Crash Palace (2001–2002), the BBC1 drama series Nice Guy Eddie (2001–2002), and Channel 4's Hollyoaks (1996–2024), where she appeared for almost three decades as Cindy Cunningham. Her other television work includes guest appearances on Merseybeat, Holby City, Doctors, and Coronation Street, as well as competing in the tenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Kirkwood</span> British television producer (born 1975)

Bryan Kirkwood is a British television producer. He was the producer of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks from 2006 until 2009 and was the executive producer of the BBC soap EastEnders from 2010 until 2012. He returned as the executive producer of Hollyoaks in late 2012, before leaving again in March 2021. His final episodes aired in June of that year. In 2022, he returned to EastEnders as a writer.

Hollyoaks Later is a British television spin-off of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series allows for more sexual content, 'edgier' storylines and stronger language than Hollyoaks. The show was on hiatus from 2014 to 2020, where it returned on 6 January 2020 for a one-off episode focusing on the conclusion of Breda McQueen's serial killer storyline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynsey Nolan</span> UK soap opera character, created 2008

Lynsey Nolan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Karen Hassan. The character originally appeared in the first series of the Hollyoaks spin-off Hollyoaks Later. In 2010, Hollyoaks series producer Paul Marquess asked Hassan to join Hollyoaks as part of the soap's ongoing rejuvenation, to which she agreed and the character began appearing in the main show from 11 August 2010. Hassan left Hollyoaks in 2012 when her character was killed off during a "dramatic cliffhanger" episode. To surprise the audience, the actress's exit was not announced beforehand. Hassan's final scenes were broadcast on 21 August 2012, giving viewers the "ending they were looking for".

<i>Hollyoaks Later</i> series 4 Season of television series

The fourth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series aired in September 2011 at 10pm. The series revolved around Silas Blissett's search for another murder victim which culminated in the death of Rae Wilson, the stag do of Riley Costello, the hen party of Mercedes McQueen and Ricky Campbell and Duncan Button's trip to fat camp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maddie Morrison</span> UK soap opera character (created 2011)

Maddison "Maddie" Morrison is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Scarlett Bowman. Maddie is an old friend of Bart McQueen. Bowman's casting was announced in June 2011. Maddie was introduced to Hollyoaks along with her friends, Tilly Evans and Jono. Maddie made her first appearance in the episode broadcast on 21 June 2011 and departed on 15 November 2012 when the character was killed in the highly publicised Enjoy The Ride storyline.

George Smith (<i>Hollyoaks</i>) UK soap opera character, created 2011

George Smith is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Steven Roberts. George debuted on-screen on 5 September 2011. George was introduced alongside the characters Neil Cooper and Callum Kane ; forming a new group of sixth-form college students. George is homosexual and is characterised as a "sharp tongued fashionista" with an unusual dress sense. He is best friends with Maddie Morrison and Tilly Evans, Roberts has said that George acts like their "lap-dog". However, George lacks confidence around the series' male characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ally Gorman</span> UK soap opera character, created 2012

Ally Gorman is a fictional character from the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Dan O'Connor. The actor's casting was announced in December 2011. O'Connor originally auditioned for a different role, before being asked to audition for the part of Ally. O'Connor was given the part and began filming his scenes three days later. Hollyoaks' series producer, Emma Smithwick, said that O'Connor "nailed" his audition. O'Connor signed up for an initial twelve episode stint, but his contract was extended and he became a regular cast member. The actor commutes from London to Liverpool for filming. O'Connor made his debut screen appearance as Ally during the episode broadcast on 31 January 2012. O'Connor departed Hollyoaks on 27 November 2012.

<i>Hollyoaks Later</i> series 5 Season of television series

The fifth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series aired between 17 September and 21 September 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Browning</span> Soap opera character

Paul Browning is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Joseph Thompson. He made his debut screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 23 January 2012 and was introduced by Emma Smithwick. Doctor Browning was introduced as part of a storyline featuring Mercedes McQueen in which he "shows her the benefits of 'selling her services'". Doctor Browning and Mercedes later begin a relationship, which Smithwick called a "union of the dark soul mates". Thompson said that Doctor Browning and Mercedes "are excited by how dangerous the other is" and are "kindred spirits" who have an "undeniable connection between them". When Lynsey Nolan is murdered in a whodunnit plot Doctor Browning becomes a suspect before it is later revealed he had killed Lynsey. Doctor Browning is described as having an "incredible capacity for Sleaze" and as someone who "needs to be in control and is not afraid to use underhand tactics".

"Enjoy the Ride" is a storyline from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, broadcast between 12 and 16 November 2012 on Channel 4. The storyline focuses on the double wedding of Tony Hutchinson and Cindy Cunningham alongside Ste Hay and Doug Carter. Jono and Ruby Button plan to elope to Gretna Green, so Maddie Morrison steals a minibus. Bart McQueen and Esther Bloom plan to stop the wedding. They momentarily distract Maddie, causing her to swerve off the road. Maddie is unable to stop due to the minibus' faulty brakes and crashes into the venue of the double wedding, endangering the wedding party and the occupants of the minibus. The minibus later explodes, causing further danger for the characters. The storyline was announced by the Daily Star on 21 October 2012. They reported that the disaster is the biggest in Hollyoaks yet. Steven Roberts, who plays George Smith, said that after the crash "no one will be the same, everyone is going to be affected by it in some way". To promote the storyline a televised advertisement was shown, featuring clips filmed specifically for the trailer. It revealed no details about the plot and was instead about the subtext of the storyline. Filming took place on location at Knowsley Hall, which Pickard described as a "very grand setting for a big Hollyoaks disaster". The scenes were filmed over a full week with two days dedicated to the stunt sequences. The filming of the stunts used dummies and stunt doubles and employed a mix of CGI effects and live action.

<i>Hollyoaks Later</i> series 6 British television series (2013)

The sixth series of Hollyoaks Later is a British television series and late night spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. The series consists of five episodes, which aired from 7 October to 11 October 2013, on E4. The series transmitted to concur with the main show's eighteenth anniversary and acted as "a celebration of Hollyoaks past and present". These celebrations included several former cast members returning for the series as part of original character Tony Hutchinson's storyline. These returns included Jeremy Edwards, James Redmond, John Pickard and Sarah Jayne Dunn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Callum Kane</span> UK soap opera character, created 2011

Callum Kane is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Laurie Duncan. The character and Duncan's casting was announced on 25 August 2011. Callum was introduced to the show along with five other regular characters. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 6 September 2011. While appearing in the sixth series of Hollyoaks Later in October 2013, Callum was killed off. His exit came as part of a "cast cull", which coincided with the show's 18th anniversary. Duncan's departure from the show was kept secret to ensure viewers would be surprised. The actor later admitted that he cried when he learned that he was leaving.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Drinkwell</span> UK soap opera character, created 2015

Scott Drinkwell is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ross Adams. The character made his first appearance on 27 April 2015. Producers asked Adams to audition for the role while he was working as a script editor on rival soap opera Emmerdale. The actor forgot his lines during his screen test but was still offered the role. The character was billed as a "troublesome new relative" joining the show's established O'Connor family. He is the cousin of Sinead O'Connor and nephew to Diane Hutchinson. Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood introduced the character to cause conflict with other characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace Black</span> UK soap opera character, created 2013

Grace Roscoe is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Tamara Wall. The character made her first on-screen appearance on 8 November 2013. Wall had three auditions for the role on the show's set in Liverpool. The character is introduced as the sister of Clare Devine, who had been killed off in earlier episodes. Grace arrives to investigate her death and get reacquainted with her estranged father Fraser Black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Loveday</span> UK soap opera character, created 2015

Zack Loveday is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Duayne Boachie. The character made his first on-screen appearance on 24 February 2015. The show's producer Bryan Kirkwood had created the Loveday family to reintroduce the "domestic family warmth" it had lost. Billed as a "close-knit family", writers also created a series of secrets they character group would be hiding upon their introduction. The audition process for the role of Zack was long and Boachie had various auditions, call backs and screen tests with other actors. Jacqueline Boatswain and Karl Collins were cast as Zack's parents Simone and Louis Loveday respectively. Zack is characterised as a cheeky and charming person who wants to find love. He is sporty and a keen football player.

References

  1. ↑ "Switch". BBC.co.uk . (BBC). Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "The Cut Your daily dose of drama". BBC.co.uk . (BBC). Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Kilkelly, Daniel (6 December 2011). "'Hollyoaks' producer talks show future: Interview". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  4. 1 2 Kilkelly, Daniel (5 September 2011). "'Hollyoaks': Loads of gossip and teasers from the set". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  5. ↑ Millar, Paul (10 February 2012). "'Hollyoaks' producer wants stronger female characters". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  6. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (17 May 2012). "'Hollyoaks Later' returning for fifth series". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  7. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (20 November 2012). "'Hollyoaks' boss Bryan Kirkwood: 'Show is going back to basics'". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  8. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 September 2012). "Exclusive: 'Hollyoaks' producer leaving soap". Digital Spy . (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 23 November 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.