UKTV has ordered a feature length documentary celebrating the life of Britain’s beloved comedy icon Victoria Wood for U&GOLD, the nation’s favourite comedy channel. Produced by BAFTA-winning Rogan Productions, Becoming Victoria Wood (1x90’) delves into the complex inner world of this national treasure nearly ten years after her passing.
The film is produced in association with Phil McIntyre TV, and distributed by Dartmouth Films and will air on U&GOLD next Spring following a nationwide theatrical release.
Victoria Wood remains one of Britain’s most cherished entertainers - a northern comic genius whose work reshaped the landscape of British humour. But behind the joyous persona - the singer, the satirist, the sharp-witted writer - lay a young woman navigating insecurity, anger, and self-doubt. Told in her own words and through the voices of those who knew her best, the film uncovers the formative experiences and personal battles that powered Victoria’s unmatched ability to make the nation laugh.
The film will explore never-before-seen archive material and previously unheard audio recordings, to paint a vivid portrait of the woman behind the fame.
Among the unearthed treasures are her first-ever recorded performance from 1973, behind-the-scenes footage from stage and screen, unseen interviews with Victoria and intimate audio diaries recorded during the making of dinnerladies - candid, confessional entries that reveal the unfiltered Victoria: thoughtful, biting, vulnerable, and funny. From Wood and Walters to As Seen on TV, Pat and Margaret to dinnerladies, the documentary carefully threads her most iconic work into her personal story, highlighting how her lived experience shaped the characters and worlds she created.
Testimony from those closest to her, friends and colleagues from her formative years - brings further insight into her evolution as a performer and person.
Becoming Victoria Wood is commissioned for UKTV by Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissioning, and ordered by Gerald Casey, Director of Programmes, Comedy and Entertainment, and is produced by Rogan Productions with Phil McIntyre TV. Executive producers for Rogan are James Rogan and Mark Hedgecoe with Helen Nightingale for UKTV. The film is directed by Catherine Abbott and the producer is Heather McCorriston. The film is distributed by Dartmouth Films.
Hilary Rosen said: "Without doubt, Victoria Wood is one of the finest comics Britain has ever produced. This new biopic will shine a light on Victoria’s early life, the start of her career, and will go on to explore how she became one of our very best - and beloved - performers, who had the unique ability to capture the absurdity and the tenderness of everyday life in her exquisite writing.”
Gerald Casey said: "It's an incredible privilege to be working with Rogan, Phil Mcintyre and Victoria Wood's estate to bring Victoria Wood's life to U&GOLD viewers. An untold story that's truly cinematic in emotion and scope, this is an ambitious project that fits perfectly with our desire to bring our audience the absolute best of British comedy."
James Rogan, Creative Director at Rogan Productions, added: “I am delighted to be working with U&Gold and Phil McIntyre again after collaborating on the feature documentary Monty Python: The Meaning of Live. Victoria Wood is an icon and a force of comedy. The story of where it all comes from is a fascinating and unexplored area of her extraordinary life. We are looking forward to showcasing her genius and her journey for cinema and television audiences alike, and reminding the world of her unique vision and ability to make us laugh.”
Becoming Victoria Wood will air next Spring on U&GOLD, following a nationwide theatrical release.
Further information on casting and additional contributors will be released at a later date.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Victoria Wood’s first ever recorded performance was first broadcast on BBC Radio 4, this will be the first time it has been shown on television.
Becoming Victoria Wood image here. Mandatory picture credit: © Phil McIntyre TV
For more information please email Multitude Media:
Gem Pinkney – Director, TV: gem.pinkney@multitudemedia.co.uk
Abigail Johnson – PR Manager, TV: Abigail.johnson@multitudemedia.co.uk
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.
UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
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About Rogan Productions
Founded in 2013, Rogan Productions has fast become a world leader in the field of high-end, global documentaries. Led by James and Soleta Rogan and supported by some of the best talent in the documentary industry, Rogan has won and been nominated for over 40 major awards in the past 5years alone.
Recent hits from the London and Glasgow-based production company, include Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks, the highly regarded The Search for Nicola Bulley for BBC One, the critically acclaimed series Defiance: Fighting the Far Right for Channel 4, as well as Netflix’s The Final: Attack on Wembley and Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse for Sky
About Phil McIntyre TV
PMTV have produced numerous Victoria Wood specials including, Victoria Wood With all the Trimmings and Victoria Wood’s Midlife Christmas (for BBC One); Victoria at The Albert and Acorn Antiques: The Musical! (for ITV) as well as more recently the docu series celebrating her life and work entitled Our Friend Victoria.
Other comedy and light ents series and one off specials produced for broadcasters including BBC, Channel 4, UKTV and Netflix include; Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, Peter Kay Live at Manchester Arena, Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice; Monty Python’s Live from the O2, Craig Cash’s and Phil Mealey’s Early Doors, Ben Elton’s Blessed, Get A Grip and The Wright Way; Dynamo: Magician Impossible and Beyond Belief; Dave’s One Night Stand; Live From The BBC; Alan Davies’ As Yet Untitled; BBC New Comedy Awards; and Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza.
Phil McIntyre TV has also filmed over 50 live stand-up comedy specials for TV or DVD broadcast, including most recently Monty Python Live: One Down Five to Go, James Acaster; Repertoire, Dawn French; Is a Huge Tw*t and Alan Partridge Live: Stratagem.
PMTV made two feature films; Guest House Paradiso starring Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson and Maybe Baby starring Hugh Laurie, Joely Richardson, Rowan Atkinson and Dawn French.
About Dartmouth Films
Dartmouth Films is the leading pioneer of independent documentaries across Britain. Their unique approach ensures films are created, funded and distributed in the most creative ways, ensuring maximum impact to nationwide audiences.
Recent titles include the summer box office success ERIC RAVILIOUS: DRAWN TO WAR (£320,000gross, on release), Grierson-nominated and the UK’s 2022 entry to the Oscars® DYING TODIVORCE, BAFTA-winning MEN WHO SING and BIFA-winning CHILDREN OF THE SNOW LAND. Non-theatrical successes include RESILIENCE, which had a direct impact on the health policy objectives of the Scottish government, and MAGIC MEDICINE, which continues to be used as a crucial resource in cross-party efforts to reform