Betty Kathleen Willingale (27 July 1927 – 15 February 2021)[1] was a British television producer and script editor, best known for her work on BBC Television adaptations of classic literature in the 1970s and 1980s.
Willingale was born in London in 1927,[2] the daughter of a Thames lighterman named James. She acquired her literary interest from her mother, Elizabeth (née Bradish).[3] She gained a scholarship to Aylwin Grammar School in Bermondsey, but was in Scotland on holiday when the Second World War began, remaining north of the border for a year. By her return, the school had been evacuated to Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire.
Career
After leaving school in 1944 without any qualifications, Willingale joined the BBC as a junior assistant in the reference library at Bush House (then the headquarters of the BBC European and Overseas Services).[4] She moved to the television script library, then housed at Lime Grove, in 1955, where Nigel Kneale assisted her in adapting to the medium.[1]
Willingale started to work as a script editor for the BBC beginning with the soap opera Compact in 1962 having rejected an invitation to work in the same role on Z-Cars, moving to the Sunday teatime Classic serial after a year. She became assistant head of the Script Unit.[1][4] She worked on BBC drama serials with producer Martin Lisemore including North and South (1975)[5] and I, Claudius (1976). After Lisemore's death in a car accident, she formed another strong working partnership with producer Jonathan Powell, script editing many of Powell's most successful drama serials including the adaptations of The Mayor of Casterbridge (1978),Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), Pride and Prejudice(1980), Sons and Lovers (1980) and The Barchester Chronicles (1982).[4]
She was eventually given the chance to produce an adaptation of Mansfield Park (BBC 1983), later producing adaptations of Tender Is the Night (1985), Bleak House (1985) and Fortunes of War (1987), the latter two earned her BAFTA nominations.[4] Willingale retired from the BBC in 1987.[1]
She then started to work with Brian Eastman of Carnival Films on series made for ITV, Willingale co-produced Poirot, with David Suchet as the detective, and Jeeves and Wooster with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.[4] She optioned the Inspector Barnaby novels by Caroline Graham which became the basis of the long-running ITV series Midsomer Murders and chose John Nettles as the original lead. She produced the pilot episode, the first two series and half of the third and continued working as a Consultant Producer on Midsomer Murders until 2019.[1][3] In 2015, when a name was needed for the new born baby of the series' lead character, John Barnaby, she was named Betty in Willingale's honour.[3]
Recognition
In 2009 she was awarded Bafta's Special Award for her exceptional career in television.[3][6]
Betty Willingale died on 15 February 2021 at the age of 93.[7] The opening episode of the 2021 series of Midsomer Murders was dedicated to her memory.
References
^ abcde"Betty Willingale, television script editor behind such hits as I, Claudius and Midsomer Murders – obituary". The Telegraph. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
^Willingale, Betty. "BECTU History Project Interview #520" (PDF). Retrieved 17 February 2021.
^ abcdHayward, Anthony (7 March 2021). "Betty Willingale obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
^ abcde"Betty Willingale obituary". The Times. London. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021. (subscription required)
betty, willingale, betty, kathleen, willingale, july, 1927, february, 2021, british, television, producer, script, editor, best, known, work, television, adaptations, classic, literature, 1970s, 1980s, contents, early, life, education, career, recognition, ref. Betty Kathleen Willingale 27 July 1927 15 February 2021 1 was a British television producer and script editor best known for her work on BBC Television adaptations of classic literature in the 1970s and 1980s Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Recognition 4 References 5 External linksEarly life and education EditWillingale was born in London in 1927 2 the daughter of a Thames lighterman named James She acquired her literary interest from her mother Elizabeth nee Bradish 3 She gained a scholarship to Aylwin Grammar School in Bermondsey but was in Scotland on holiday when the Second World War began remaining north of the border for a year By her return the school had been evacuated to Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire Career EditAfter leaving school in 1944 without any qualifications Willingale joined the BBC as a junior assistant in the reference library at Bush House then the headquarters of the BBC European and Overseas Services 4 She moved to the television script library then housed at Lime Grove in 1955 where Nigel Kneale assisted her in adapting to the medium 1 Willingale started to work as a script editor for the BBC beginning with the soap opera Compact in 1962 having rejected an invitation to work in the same role on Z Cars moving to the Sunday teatime Classic serial after a year She became assistant head of the Script Unit 1 4 She worked on BBC drama serials with producer Martin Lisemore including North and South 1975 5 and I Claudius 1976 After Lisemore s death in a car accident she formed another strong working partnership with producer Jonathan Powell script editing many of Powell s most successful drama serials including the adaptations of The Mayor of Casterbridge 1978 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 1979 Pride and Prejudice 1980 Sons and Lovers 1980 and The Barchester Chronicles 1982 4 She was eventually given the chance to produce an adaptation of Mansfield Park BBC 1983 later producing adaptations of Tender Is the Night 1985 Bleak House 1985 and Fortunes of War 1987 the latter two earned her BAFTA nominations 4 Willingale retired from the BBC in 1987 1 She then started to work with Brian Eastman of Carnival Films on series made for ITV Willingale co produced Poirot with David Suchet as the detective and Jeeves and Wooster with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie 4 She optioned the Inspector Barnaby novels by Caroline Graham which became the basis of the long running ITV series Midsomer Murders and chose John Nettles as the original lead She produced the pilot episode the first two series and half of the third and continued working as a Consultant Producer on Midsomer Murders until 2019 1 3 In 2015 when a name was needed for the new born baby of the series lead character John Barnaby she was named Betty in Willingale s honour 3 Recognition EditIn 2009 she was awarded Bafta s Special Award for her exceptional career in television 3 6 Betty Willingale died on 15 February 2021 at the age of 93 7 The opening episode of the 2021 series of Midsomer Murders was dedicated to her memory References Edit a b c d e Betty Willingale television script editor behind such hits as I Claudius and Midsomer Murders obituary The Telegraph 26 February 2021 Retrieved 26 February 2021 Willingale Betty BECTU History Project Interview 520 PDF Retrieved 17 February 2021 a b c d Hayward Anthony 7 March 2021 Betty Willingale obituary The Guardian Retrieved 7 March 2021 a b c d e Betty Willingale obituary The Times London 8 March 2021 Retrieved 8 March 2021 subscription required BBC Programme Index A Tribute to Betty Willingale www bafta org 11 February 2010 Retrieved 13 March 2021 How many kinds of talent does it take to make great TV drama External links EditBetty Wiillingale at IMDb A BAFTA Tribute to Betty Willingdale Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Betty Willingale amp oldid 1100834932, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
