Daran Little
Encyclopedia
Daran Little is a BAFTA Award-winning British television writer, most notable for his work on Coronation Street
from 2000 until 2010.
, he wrote his dissertation
about Coronation Street. After graduating in 1988, he was taken on by Granada Television
as an archivist. He has written several books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the show and its characters and co-wrote Betty Driver
's autobiography.
Little left Granada in 2006 after writing 95 episodes of the Street and introducing the first gay character, Todd Grimshaw
. He created the characters Sean Tully
, Archie Shuttleworth, Bev Unwin and Eric Gartside who was played by Peter Kay
. He created, wrote and produced a 20-part series called Hollyoaks: In the City
for Mersey Television
. The series was not recommissioned for a second series. He joined the Hollyoaks
writing team, writing 12 episodes before moving to New York to work on "All My Children
".
hired him to be a creative consultant
on All My Children
. He worked closely with Brian Frons
, Barbara Esensten, James Harmon Brown, Charles Pratt, Jr.
and Julie Hanan Carruthers
. He was an Associate Head Writer
from July 14, 2008 to November 2, 2009.
. In September 2010 his drama The Road to Coronation Street
was broadcast on BBC4, telling the story of Coronation Streets conception 50 years earlier. The drama won Best Single Drama in the 2011 BAFTAs and Royal Television Society and Little won the Best Scriptwriter at the RTS North West awards. Little worked as story producer on the first series of ITV2 structured reality show The Only Way Is Essex
and on the first two series of E4's Made In Chelsea.
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
from 2000 until 2010.
Career
While at Manchester PolytechnicManchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is a university in North West England. Its headquarters and central campus is in the city of Manchester, but there are outlying facilities in the county of Cheshire. It is the third largest university in the United Kingdom in terms of student numbers, behind the...
, he wrote his dissertation
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
about Coronation Street. After graduating in 1988, he was taken on by Granada Television
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
as an archivist. He has written several books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the show and its characters and co-wrote Betty Driver
Betty Driver
Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Driver, MBE was an English singer, actress and author, best known for her role as Betty Williams on the British soap opera, Coronation Street, appearing in more than 2,800 episodes...
's autobiography.
Little left Granada in 2006 after writing 95 episodes of the Street and introducing the first gay character, Todd Grimshaw
Todd Grimshaw
Todd James Grimshaw is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Coronation Street, played by Bruno Langley. He originally appeared from 13 January 2001 till 22 September 2004 and returned for a brief stint in from 15 October 2007 till 7 November 2007...
. He created the characters Sean Tully
Sean Tully
Sean Tully, is a fictional character in the UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street. Portrayed by actor Antony Cotton, the character first appeared on screen during the episode airing on 13 July 2003. Sean works as a factory machinist, and as a part-time barman in the Rovers Return...
, Archie Shuttleworth, Bev Unwin and Eric Gartside who was played by Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
. He created, wrote and produced a 20-part series called Hollyoaks: In the City
Hollyoaks: In the City
Hollyoaks: In the City was a British television drama series set in Liverpool and first broadcast in 2006. Hollyoaks: In the City was a spin-off of Channel 4 soap opera, Hollyoaks, originally devised by Phil Redmond...
for Mersey Television
Mersey Television
Lime Pictures, formerly known as Mersey Television, is a British television production company, founded by producer and writer Phil Redmond in the early 1980s....
. The series was not recommissioned for a second series. He joined the Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
writing team, writing 12 episodes before moving to New York to work on "All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
".
American Venture
ABC DaytimeABC Daytime
ABC Daytime is a programming block on the ABC Network which has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows and talk shows.-Schedule:...
hired him to be a creative consultant
Creative consultant
Creative consultant is a credit that has - particularly in the past - been given to screenwriters who have “doctored” a movie screenplay. It is often given by producers in lieu of official credit. Those given this credit in the television field work closely with an Executive Producer, Head...
on All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
. He worked closely with Brian Frons
Brian Frons
Brian Frons is an American television executive, and president of ABC Daytime.- Educational background :Frons holds a Master of Science degree in Communications from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the State University of New York at Fredonia.-Television...
, Barbara Esensten, James Harmon Brown, Charles Pratt, Jr.
Charles Pratt, Jr.
Charles Pratt, Jr. is an American television writer, producer and director.-Daytime Soap Positions held:All My Children *Head Writer: August, 2008 - November, 2009...
and Julie Hanan Carruthers
Julie Hanan Carruthers
Julie Hanan Carruthers is an American soap opera producer.-Positions held:All My Children*Executive Producer General Hospital...
. He was an Associate Head Writer
Head writer
A head writer is a person who oversees the team of writers on a television or radio series. The title is common in the soap opera genre, as well as with sketch comedies and talk shows that feature monologues and comedy skits, but in prime time series this function is generally performed by an...
from July 14, 2008 to November 2, 2009.
Back in England
In 2009 he returned to Coronation Street, writing a further nine episodes. On 2 March 2010 it was confirmed that Little had left Coronation Street and joined its rival EastEndersEastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
. In September 2010 his drama The Road to Coronation Street
The Road to Coronation Street
The Road to Coronation Street is a British drama first broadcast on BBC Four documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960...
was broadcast on BBC4, telling the story of Coronation Streets conception 50 years earlier. The drama won Best Single Drama in the 2011 BAFTAs and Royal Television Society and Little won the Best Scriptwriter at the RTS North West awards. Little worked as story producer on the first series of ITV2 structured reality show The Only Way Is Essex
The Only Way Is Essex
The Only Way Is Essex, is a British BAFTA award-winning semi-reality show based in Essex, England. It shows "real people in modified situations, saying unscripted lines but in a structured way."...
and on the first two series of E4's Made In Chelsea.
Awards and nominations
- 2006 - BAFTA nomination - Coronation StreetCoronation StreetCoronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
- 2009 - EMMY nomination - All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
- 2010 - EMMY nomination - All My ChildrenAll My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
- 2011 - RTS winner Best Single Drama - The Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation Street is a British drama first broadcast on BBC Four documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960...
- 2011 - New York Film & TV Festival winner - Best International Programme - The Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation Street is a British drama first broadcast on BBC Four documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960...
- 2011 - BAFTA winner: Best Single Drama - The Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation Street is a British drama first broadcast on BBC Four documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960...
- 2011 - Broadcast Digital Awards: Best Scripted Program winner - The Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation Street is a British drama first broadcast on BBC Four documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960...
- 2011 - RTS North West winner: Best Scriptwriter - "The Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation StreetThe Road to Coronation Street is a British drama first broadcast on BBC Four documenting the journey of Coronation Street, the UK's longest-running television soap opera, from conception to its first transmission in December 1960...
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