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{{short description|English television writer, director, producer and executive}}
⚫ '''Shaun Alfred Graham Sutton ]''' (born ] ] in ], ]; died ] ] in ]) was an ] ] writer, director, producer and executive, who worked in the medium for nearly forty years from the ] to the ]. His most important role was as the ] at ] from the late ] until ], a role he occupied for longer than anybody else before or since, overseeing one of the most highly-regarded eras in the department's history.
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Shaun Sutton
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Shaun Alfred Graham Sutton
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1919|10|14|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|5|14|1919|10|14|df=y}}
| death_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|Writer|director|producer|executive}}
| years_active =
| spouse = {{marriage|Barbara Leslie|1948|2004}}
| children = 4}}
⚫ '''Shaun Alfred Graham Sutton''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} (14 October 1919 in ], ] – 14 May 2004 in ]) was an English television writer, director, producer and executive, who worked in the medium for nearly forty years from the 1950s to the 1990s. His most important role was as the ] at ] from the late 1960s until 1981, a role he occupied for longer than anyone else.


==Early life==
Sutton's father, ], was a theatre critic and novelist as well as being a teacher at ], where Sutton himself was educated. His mother was an actress, and Sutton followed in her footsteps by enrolling in drama school after leaving Latymer. However, the coming of the ] interrupted his career and he joined the ], seeing action in the ] and attaining the rank of ]. Sutton's father, Graham Sutton, was a theatre critic and novelist as well as being a teacher at ], where Sutton himself was educated. His mother was an actress, and Sutton followed in her footsteps by enrolling in drama school after leaving Latymer. However, the coming of the Second World War interrupted his career and he joined the ], seeing action in the ] and attaining the rank of ].


Following the end of the war and his departure from the armed forces, Sutton returned to the theatre, but increasingly moved toward writing and producing rather than acting, apparently on the advice of his mother. Later in life, he would claim that this advice had saved him from becoming "an ageing, mediocre actor". In the late ] he met the actress ], to whom he was married until his death. Following the end of the war, Sutton returned to the theatre, but increasingly moved toward writing and producing rather than acting, apparently on the advice of his mother. Later in life, he would claim that this advice had saved him from becoming "an ageing, mediocre actor". In the late 1940s he met the actress Barbara Leslie, to whom he was married until his death. He had four children – one boy and three girls.


==Television career==
Sutton moved into television, the medium with which he was to become most closely associated, in ], joining the staff of the BBC's drama department. He found particular success in children's serials, writing and directing the likes of '']'' (]) and '']'' (]). In ], the new Head of Drama at the BBC, ], offered Sutton the producership of a new ] series he had initiated, '']'', after his first choice of ] had turned the role down. Sutton too declined the offer however, and the job eventually went to ]. Sutton moved into television, the medium with which he was to become most closely associated, in 1952, joining the staff of the BBC's drama department. He found particular success in children's serials, writing and directing the likes of ''Queen's Champion'' (1958) and ''Bonehead'' (1960). In 1963, the new Head of Drama at the BBC, ], offered Sutton the job of being the first producer for the new science-fiction series '']'', but Sutton declined.


One of his reasons for declining the role was that by this stage Sutton was beginning to make a name for himself in more adult drama series, directing several early episodes of the highly-acclaimed police drama '']'' from ]. He worked as a director on other drama series such as '']'', '']'' and the ''Z-Cars'' ] '']'' until ], when he moved into the upper echelons of the drama department by succeeding ] as Head of Serials. One of his reasons for declining the role was that by this stage Sutton was beginning to make a name for himself in more adult drama series, directing several early episodes of the police drama '']'' from 1962. He worked as a director on other drama series such as '']'', '']'' and the ''Z-Cars'' ] '']'' until 1966, when he moved into the upper echelons of the drama department by succeeding ] as Head of Serials.


In this position, Sutton commissioned and oversaw some of the most prestigious of all BBC drama productions of the era, including in ] the epic twenty-six episode adaptation of ]'s '']'', commonly held to be one of the most successful BBC drama productions of all time. After Sydney Newman left the BBC at the end of ], Sutton was appointed to succeed him as overall Head of Drama, initially on an acting basis combined with his Head of Serials role, and then from ] on a permanent basis. In this position, Sutton commissioned and oversaw some of the most prestigious of all BBC drama productions of the era, including in 1967 the epic twenty-six episode adaptation of ]'s '']'', among the most successful BBC drama productions of all time. After Sydney Newman left the BBC at the end of 1967, Sutton was appointed to succeed him as overall Head of Drama, initially on an acting basis combined with his Head of Serials role, and then from 1969 on a permanent basis.


He was to occupy the position for the next twelve years, until ], overseeing the entirety of the BBC's ] drama output. This era is commonly held to be one of the most successful in all BBC drama, described by '']'' in their obituary of Sutton as being when "the golden age of television drama reached its zenith" . Or in the words of the ] in their obituary, "Unmatched by any other television organisation, BBC Television drama, under Shaun, offered in its schedules every shape, style and form of drama. It was a theatrical spectrum of extraordinary width and choice" . He was to occupy the position for the next twelve years, until 1981, overseeing the entirety of the BBC's 1970s drama output. This era is commonly held to be one of the most successful in all BBC drama, described by '']'' in their obituary of Sutton as being when "the golden age of television drama reached its zenith".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1219995,00.html |title=Obituary: Shaun Sutton &#124; Media &#124; The Guardian |publisher=Media.guardian.co.uk |date= 19 May 2004|accessdate=21 April 2010 | location=London | first=Philip | last=Purser}}</ref> Or in the words of the ] in their obituary, "Unmatched by any other television organisation, BBC Television drama, under Shaun, offered in its schedules every shape, style and form of drama. It was a theatrical spectrum of extraordinary width and choice".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rts.org.uk/magazine_det.asp?id=3453&sec_id=645 |title=Royal Television Society - Shaun Sutton OBE 1920-2004 |accessdate=2005-08-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050123091306/http://www.rts.org.uk/magazine_det.asp?id=3453&sec_id=645 |archivedate=23 January 2005 }}</ref>


Sutton's reign saw success in many different styles and genres - there were continuing long-running successful and popular series such as ''Z-Cars'' and ''Doctor Who''; the eclectic mix of styles and stories in the much-praised anthology strand '']''; and prestige serials such as '']'' (]) and ]'s '']'' (]). There were, however, also low points, such as the embarrassing failure of '']'' (]), a twenty-six part series based on ]'s '']''. Sutton deemed the production to be unbroadcastable upon seeing the result, but so much time, money and effort had been spent on making and publicising the series that he was left with little choice in the matter. There were also controversies surrounding the 'banning' by his superiors, against Sutton's wishes, of two entries into the ''Play for Today'' strand - Dennis Potter's '']'' in ] and ]'s '']'' in ]. Sutton's reign saw success in many different styles and genres – there were continuing long-running successful and popular series such as ''Z-Cars'' and ''Doctor Who''; the eclectic mix of styles and stories in the much-praised anthology strand '']''; and prestige serials such as '']'' (1970), '']'' (1976) and ]'s '']'' (1978). There were also low points, such as the embarrassing failure of '']'' (1974), a twenty-six part series based on ]'s '']''. Sutton deemed the production to be unbroadcastable upon seeing the result, but so much time, money and effort had been spent on making and publicising the series that he was left with little choice in the matter. There were also controversies surrounding the 'banning' by his superiors, against Sutton's wishes, of two entries into the ''Play for Today'' strand, Dennis Potter's '']'' in 1976 and ]'s '']'' in 1978.


Nonetheless, Sutton himself was seen as having been a great success in his role, and when he finally departed in ] he was not short of further work in the department. He returned to front-line producing duties, taking over the BBC's '']'' series, which had been initiated by producer Cedric Messina under Sutton's aegis in the late 1970s. Sutton produced all of the remaining works between ] and ], some thirteen plays in all, including toward the end many of the less-fashionable and less frequently-performed pieces. Nonetheless, Sutton himself was seen as having been a great success in his role, and when he finally departed in 1981 he was not short of further work in the department. He returned to front-line producing duties, taking over the BBC's '']'' series, which had been initiated by producer ] under Sutton's aegis in the late 1970s. Sutton produced all of the remaining works between 1982 and 1986, some thirteen plays in all, including some of the less frequently performed plays.


He continued to work as a producer following the end of this run and into the late ], mostly of theatrical adaptations for ]. His final work was as the producer of an adaptation of ]'s novel '']'' in ], after which he retired to the country cottage in Norfolk which he and his wife had bought in ]. He continued to work as a producer following the end of this run and into the late 1980s, mostly of theatrical adaptations for ]. His final work was as the producer of an adaptation of ]'s novel '']'' in 1991, after which he retired to the country cottage in Norfolk which he and his wife had bought in 1970.


==Honours and private life==
Sutton was made an Officer of the ] (OBE), for his services to broadcasting, in ]. In ], he published a book, ''The Largest Theatre in the World'', about his experiences of working in the drama department of the BBC. Sutton was made an Officer of the ] (OBE), for his services to broadcasting, in 1979. In 1982, he published a book, ''The Largest Theatre in the World'', about his experiences of working in the drama department of the BBC.


Married to Barbara Leslie from ] until his death, they had four children, all of whom survived him. He died following a short illness in May ]. Married to Barbara Leslie from 1948 until his death, they had four children, all of whom survived him. He died following a short illness in May 2004.


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}}
⚫ *Obituary, ''Shaun Sutton'', Philip Purser, ''The Guardian'', Wednesday 19th May 2004

⚫ *Sutton, Shaun (]). ''The Largest Theatre in the World: Thirty Years of Television Drama'' (1st ed.). ]: ]. ISBN 0-563-20011-1.
==Further reading==
⚫ *Philip Purser "Obituary: Shaun Sutton", ''The Guardian'', 19 May 2004
⚫ *Shaun Sutton ''The Largest Theatre in the World: Thirty Years of Television Drama'' (1st ed.) London: BBC Books, 1982. {{ISBN|0-563-20011-1}}.


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* *
*{{IMDb name|0840404}}
* at the ]


{{International Emmy Founders Award}}
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Latest revision as of 16:45, 29 November 2024

English television writer, director, producer and executive

Shaun Sutton
BornShaun Alfred Graham Sutton
(1919-10-14)14 October 1919
Died14 May 2004(2004-05-14) (aged 84)
Occupations
  • Writer
  • director
  • producer
  • executive
Spouse Barbara Leslie ​(m. 1948⁠–⁠2004)​
Children4

Shaun Alfred Graham Sutton OBE (14 October 1919 in Hammersmith, London – 14 May 2004 in Norfolk) was an English television writer, director, producer and executive, who worked in the medium for nearly forty years from the 1950s to the 1990s. His most important role was as the Head of Drama at BBC Television from the late 1960s until 1981, a role he occupied for longer than anyone else.

Early life

Sutton's father, Graham Sutton, was a theatre critic and novelist as well as being a teacher at Latymer Upper School, where Sutton himself was educated. His mother was an actress, and Sutton followed in her footsteps by enrolling in drama school after leaving Latymer. However, the coming of the Second World War interrupted his career and he joined the Royal Navy, seeing action in the Mediterranean and attaining the rank of lieutenant.

Following the end of the war, Sutton returned to the theatre, but increasingly moved toward writing and producing rather than acting, apparently on the advice of his mother. Later in life, he would claim that this advice had saved him from becoming "an ageing, mediocre actor". In the late 1940s he met the actress Barbara Leslie, to whom he was married until his death. He had four children – one boy and three girls.

Television career

Sutton moved into television, the medium with which he was to become most closely associated, in 1952, joining the staff of the BBC's drama department. He found particular success in children's serials, writing and directing the likes of Queen's Champion (1958) and Bonehead (1960). In 1963, the new Head of Drama at the BBC, Sydney Newman, offered Sutton the job of being the first producer for the new science-fiction series Doctor Who, but Sutton declined.

One of his reasons for declining the role was that by this stage Sutton was beginning to make a name for himself in more adult drama series, directing several early episodes of the police drama Z-Cars from 1962. He worked as a director on other drama series such as The Last Man Out, The Troubleshooters and the Z-Cars spin-off Softly, Softly until 1966, when he moved into the upper echelons of the drama department by succeeding Gerald Savory as Head of Serials.

In this position, Sutton commissioned and oversaw some of the most prestigious of all BBC drama productions of the era, including in 1967 the epic twenty-six episode adaptation of John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga, among the most successful BBC drama productions of all time. After Sydney Newman left the BBC at the end of 1967, Sutton was appointed to succeed him as overall Head of Drama, initially on an acting basis combined with his Head of Serials role, and then from 1969 on a permanent basis.

He was to occupy the position for the next twelve years, until 1981, overseeing the entirety of the BBC's 1970s drama output. This era is commonly held to be one of the most successful in all BBC drama, described by The Guardian in their obituary of Sutton as being when "the golden age of television drama reached its zenith". Or in the words of the Royal Television Society in their obituary, "Unmatched by any other television organisation, BBC Television drama, under Shaun, offered in its schedules every shape, style and form of drama. It was a theatrical spectrum of extraordinary width and choice".

Sutton's reign saw success in many different styles and genres – there were continuing long-running successful and popular series such as Z-Cars and Doctor Who; the eclectic mix of styles and stories in the much-praised anthology strand Play for Today; and prestige serials such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970), I, Claudius (1976) and Dennis Potter's Pennies From Heaven (1978). There were also low points, such as the embarrassing failure of Churchill's People (1974), a twenty-six part series based on Winston Churchill's A History of the English Speaking Peoples. Sutton deemed the production to be unbroadcastable upon seeing the result, but so much time, money and effort had been spent on making and publicising the series that he was left with little choice in the matter. There were also controversies surrounding the 'banning' by his superiors, against Sutton's wishes, of two entries into the Play for Today strand, Dennis Potter's Brimstone and Treacle in 1976 and Roy Minton's Scum in 1978.

Nonetheless, Sutton himself was seen as having been a great success in his role, and when he finally departed in 1981 he was not short of further work in the department. He returned to front-line producing duties, taking over the BBC's The Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare series, which had been initiated by producer Cedric Messina under Sutton's aegis in the late 1970s. Sutton produced all of the remaining works between 1982 and 1986, some thirteen plays in all, including some of the less frequently performed plays.

He continued to work as a producer following the end of this run and into the late 1980s, mostly of theatrical adaptations for BBC2. His final work was as the producer of an adaptation of Mary Stewart's novel The Crystal Cave in 1991, after which he retired to the country cottage in Norfolk which he and his wife had bought in 1970.

Honours and private life

Sutton was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for his services to broadcasting, in 1979. In 1982, he published a book, The Largest Theatre in the World, about his experiences of working in the drama department of the BBC.

Married to Barbara Leslie from 1948 until his death, they had four children, all of whom survived him. He died following a short illness in May 2004.

References

  1. Purser, Philip (19 May 2004). "Obituary: Shaun Sutton | Media | The Guardian". London: Media.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  2. "Royal Television Society - Shaun Sutton OBE 1920-2004". Archived from the original on 23 January 2005. Retrieved 20 August 2005.

Further reading

  • Philip Purser "Obituary: Shaun Sutton", The Guardian, 19 May 2004
  • Shaun Sutton The Largest Theatre in the World: Thirty Years of Television Drama (1st ed.) London: BBC Books, 1982. ISBN 0-563-20011-1.

External links

International Emmy Founders Award
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Preceded bySydney Newman BBC Television Head of Drama
1967–1981 		Succeeded byGraeme MacDonald
Categories: