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Sean O'Connor (producer)

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Sean O'Connor
Born
Sean Michael O'Connor

(1968-02-11) 11 February 1968 (age 56)
The Wirral, England
Occupations
  • Television producer
  • writer
  • director
Known forThe Archers
EastEnders

Sean Michael O'Connor (11 February 1968) is an English producer, writer, and director working in theatre, film, television and radio. He was the editor of the long-running BBC radio drama, The Archers from 2013 to 2016 and executive producer of EastEnders from 2016 to 2017.

Early life and education

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Sean Michael O'Connor was born on 11 February 1968 and grew up in The Wirral, where he attended a grammar school, St Anselm's College, run by the Christian Brothers.[1][2] He later earned a degree in English from University College London.[2] Following his graduation, O'Connor successfully applied for a place on ITV's Regional Theatre Young Directors’ Scheme.[3]

Film

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O'Connor produced the feature film version of Terence Rattigan's The Deep Blue Sea directed by Terence Davies and starring Rachel Weisz, Tom Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale.[4] The film is based on Rattigan's 1952 play which had previously been filmed in 1955, starring Vivien Leigh and Kenneth More. Produced by Camberwell Productions and Fly Films, The Deep Blue Sea was released in the UK in 2011, the centenary of Rattigan's birth. O'Connor introduces the playtext of The Deep Blue Sea published by Nick Hern Books with notes by Dan Rebellato. O'Connor serves as a trustee of the estate of Sir Terence Rattigan.

Television and radio

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In the late 1990s, O'Connor worked as producer of the long-running radio drama The Archers, storylining and directing the programme.[5] He re-introduced several popular characters including Kenton Archer, Adam Travers-Macy and Lillian Bellamy, as well as introducing Fallon Rogers, Ed Grundy and Emma Carter. Subsequently, he was appointed as Series Producer of Hollyoaks on Channel 4.[6]

In 2005, O'Connor was appointed producer of the Channel 5 soap opera Family Affairs. He planned to revamp the show but was told that the show would be axed. He appointed Dominic Treadwell-Collins, his future predecessor in EastEnders as story producer and reintroduced characters Eileen Callan (Rosie Rowell) and Melanie Costello (Rebecca Hunter).[7]

O'Connor also produced the third series of Footballers' Wives for Shed Productions as well as the re-booted version of Minder starring Shane Richie and Lex Shrapnel for TalkbackThames.[8]

On 5 August 2013, it was announced that O'Connor had been appointed editor of The Archers.[9] Of his return to the show, O'Connor commented "I'm delighted to be returning to Ambridge to work with the team in Birmingham. I'm honoured to take the reins of our national epic drama and to build on the extraordinary achievements of Vanessa Whitburn who dedicated much of her career to this unique cultural institution."[9]

EastEnders

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In 2001, O'Connor was appointed as Series Story Producer on the BBC soap opera, EastEnders.[10] story-lining the award-winning Kat and Zoe Slater story, the domestic violence story featuring Little Mo, and Dot Cotton's marriage to Jim Branning. He left the show in 2005.[8]

On 18 February 2016, it was announced that O'Connor would return to EastEnders after 11 years and take over from Dominic Treadwell-Collins as Executive Producer.[11] On his return he commented "I'm thrilled to be back in Walford and particularly delighted to work once more with many dear friends and colleagues both backstage and on screen. I loved my time working at EastEnders previously; there's nothing quite as challenging nor as rewarding."[12]

Following this, he announced he would be stepping down from The Archers, saying "At the same time, it is a real wrench for me to leave Ambridge. The Archers is an extraordinary programme – a jewel at the heart of the BBC and in the hearts of the British public. Working on it, with the extraordinary cast, writers and production team in Birmingham has been an absolute privilege. The Archers has been a part of my life for much of my life - and though I'll be away from Borsetshire, I'll continue to listen to the villagers of Ambridge, who feel to me – as they do for millions of listeners - like family."[13][14][15]

O'Connor's first episode as executive producer aired on 11 July 2016.[16] Although O'Connor's first credited episode aired in July, his own creative work was not seen onscreen until late September.[17] O'Connor's tenure as executive producer has generally been received as negative by viewers and former cast alike, primarily his decision to kill off sisters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell in a swimming pool freak accident which elicited strong reactions from viewers and has been regarded as one of the "worst decisions in [soap opera] history".[18] Diederick Santer, who introduced the Mitchell sisters whilst executive producer between 2006 and 2010, said that whilst he commended O'Connor for producing "brilliant work at The Archers", the direction he had taken EastEnders in had made it "unwatchable".[19] Barbara Windsor, who played the sister's on-screen aunt, described the decision to Hello magazine as "a mistake."[20] whilst former executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins also criticised the sisters' axing, adding that he was "really sad" to see them go.[21] His decision to recast original character Michelle Fowler to actress Jenna Russell was criticised by viewers, who argued that the recast "just [wasn't] working".[22] In June 2017, The Sun reported that O'Connor had been axed from EastEnders for bullying cast members as well as the soap's drop in ratings, however O'Connor denied this and The Sun were ordered to pay "substantial damages".[23] The BBC announced that O'Connor would be leaving EastEnders on 23 June after a year in the role of executive producer. cast members said: "I've had an amazing time at EastEnders. Working with the editorial staff, cast and crew at Elstree has been an absolute privilege". O'Connor's final episode as Executive Producer aired on 24 November 2017.[24][12] Following his departure, former cast member Ross Kemp, who played Grant Mitchell in the soap accused O'Connor of "treating the cast badly" and "working them into the ground".[25] He was however defended by Samantha Womack, who despite her character being killed off [by O'Connor] said that "her heart [went] out to him and everyone struggling in the show".[26]

Directing

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As a graduate of the Regional Theatre Young Directors' Scheme,[27] O'Connor has worked all over the UK as a theatre director. His work has featured at Liverpool Everyman, Hornchurch, Salisbury Playhouse, Chester Gateway, Windsor, Guilford, Bath, Richmond, Chichester, Cardiff and Edinburgh. In 1995, O'Connor directed the UK premiere of Dorothy Parker's drama, The Ladies of the Corridor (1953) at the Finborough Theatre and the first London revival of Christa Winsloe's Children in Uniform (1931) (Mädchen in Uniform) at Battersea Arts Centre.[28] He is also a graduate of the BBC Drama Directors' Course.[29]

Writing

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Handsome Brute ISBN 978-1471101335, a study of the murders of Neville Heath in the 1940s, was published in 2013 by Simon & Schuster.[30]

O'Connor has made a study of 20th Century drama, particularly neglected or forgotten works. In 1997, he published Straight Acting; Popular Gay Drama from Wilde to Rattigan,[31] examining the work of British gay playwrights who dominated the West End in the 20th Century. Dartmouth's Professor of Gender Studies, Michael Bronski, praised the book, claiming that it "almost single-handedly reinvents what we think of as the history of modern gay theater".[31]

The same year, he adapted and directed the play Vertigo based on the novel D'Entre Les Morts by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac, which was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's film of 1958. This, the first stage adaptation of the story, retained the original French wartime setting of the novel. The play first appeared at Chester Gateway Theatre featuring Marcus D'Amico, but was subsequently produced by Bill Kenwright at the Theatre Royal Windsor starring Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove. A revival at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford starred Anthony Andrews in the central role, replacing Martin Shaw.[32]

In 2001, O'Connor adapted Winston Graham's 1960 novel Marnie for the stage which played at Chester Gateway Theatre and The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke.[33] The adaptation returned the story to Graham's original post-war British setting and preserved Graham's bleak ending.[34]

In 2010, O'Connor adapted Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as Juliet and Her Romeo[35] which played at Bristol Old Vic, directed by Tom Morris and starring Siân Phillips, Michael Byrne and Dudley Sutton.[36]

The sensational murder trial of Alma Rattenbury provides the subject for O'Connor's 2019 non-fiction work The Fatal Passion of Alma Rattenbury .[37]

In October 2019 O’Connor released The Haunting Of Borley Rectory.

References

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  1. ^ "Sean Michael O'Connor". FreeBMD. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Stanford, Peter (20 October 2014). "Sean O'Connor: The man who 'sexed up' the Archers". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  3. ^ Staff. "RTYDS Directors: Past RTYDS Directors and their placement theatre, 1960 until present: 1990-1999". Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Terence Davies Enters The Deep Blue Sea". Empireonline.com. 5 December 2006. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  5. ^ "EastEnders producer Sean O'Connor takes over The Archers". BBC. 5 August 2013. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Sean O'Connor | Sayle Screen". saylescreen.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Producer O'Connor takes Archers helm". BBC News. 5 August 2013. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (18 February 2016). "All change at EastEnders: 7 things you need to know about the show's new boss Sean O'Connor". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  9. ^ a b Davies, Keri (5 August 2013). "New Archers editor announced". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  10. ^ "Dominic Treadwell-Collins set to depart as Executive Producer". 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 January 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  11. ^ Harp, Justin (18 February 2016). "EastEnders shocker! Dominic Treadwell-Collins is leaving as showrunner". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Dominic Treadwell-Collins steps down as executive producer of EastEnders and Sean O'Connor confirmed in the role". BBC. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  13. ^ "Editor Sean O'Connor To Leave The Archers". BBC. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  14. ^ "Archers editor Sean O'Connor: 'Helen is the victim. But she shouldn't have stabbed him' | The Archers | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  15. ^ Jackson, Jasper (18 February 2016). "EastEnders: Archers editor to take over as Dominic Treadwell-Collins quits". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  16. ^ "11/07/2016, EastEnders - BBC One". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  17. ^ "EastEnders stars hit back at claims that their new boss Sean O'Connor is "wielding the axe"". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  18. ^ "EastEnders fans demanding Ronnie's return as Roxy's comeback is announced". mirror. 26 April 2023. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  19. ^ "EastEnders's Former Boss Diederick Santer Criticises Soap's Direction: 'It Has Not Been Brilliant'". HuffPost. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Barbara Windsor hits out at decision to axe Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell from EastEnders". HELLO!. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  21. ^ "EastEnders' Former Boss Dominc Treadwell-Collins Criticises Decision To Kill Off Ronnie And Roxy Mitchell". HuffPost. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  22. ^ "7 ways EastEnders' new-look Michelle Fowler can win us round after her shaky start". Digital Spy. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  23. ^ "The Sun to pay 'substantial damages' to ex EastEnders boss". BBC News. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  24. ^ "27/11/2017, EastEnders - BBC One". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  25. ^ "Ross Kemp Blasts Axed 'EastEnders' Boss, Accusing Him Of Working Stars 'Into The F***ing Ground'". HuffPost. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Ross Kemp complains that EastEnders has been overworking the cast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme | Past Trainees from 1960 � 2007". Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  28. ^ "Review of Schoolgirls in Uniform". Cix.co.uk. 1 May 1997. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  29. ^ "Sean O'Connor". Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  30. ^ O'Connor, Sean (14 February 2013). Handsome Brute: The True Story of a Ladykiller. Simon and Schuster. ASIN 1471101339.
  31. ^ a b O'Connor, Sean (1 January 1998). Straight Acting: Popular Gay Drama from Wilde to Rattigan. UNKNO. ISBN 0304328642.
  32. ^ "Sean O'Connor". GreenHeaton. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  33. ^ Lyn Gardner (24 January 2001). "Theatre review: Marnie". The Guardian. London, UK. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  34. ^ Moral, Tony Lee (29 July 2013). Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810891081. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2020 – via Google Books.
  35. ^ Spencer, Charles (17 March 2010). "Juliet and her Romeo at the Bristol Old Vic, review". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  36. ^ Shakespeare, William; O'Connor, Sean; Morris, Tom (16 April 2010). Juliet and her Romeo. Oberon Books. ASIN 1849430810.
  37. ^ O'Connor, Sean (11 July 2019). Alma Rattenbury. Simon & Schuster, Limited. ISBN 978-1471132711.
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