Major award is presented to Killyleagh man for TV portfolio

Major award is presented to Killyleagh man for TV portfolio

23 November 2016

NORTHERN Ireland’s television industry is in an exciting place, according to a television producer from Killyleagh who was last week lauded for his outstanding contribution to the industry.

BAFTA winning director Stephen Stewart received the Royal Television Society’s Judges Award at the annual NI Programme Awards at the Mac Theatre in Belfast last week.

His company Green Inc Film and Television, which he formed in partnership with former Dundrum man Patrick Kielty in Holywood 10 years ago, also received an award for Patrick Kielty’s Mulholland Drive, which was recently screened on the BBC.

Stephen has helped to devise and executive produce all of Green Inc’s commissions and has  played a part in some of British TV’s most successful and memorable entertainment, comedy and lifestyle programmes. 

Credits include TFI Friday, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and the iconic The Word. Other ventures as a director include Ant & Dec’s Saturday Takeaway, Bring The Noise, The Games and The British Comedy Awards.

After last week’s event, which was hosted by Adrian Chiles, Stephen said his judge’s award meant much to him as it was made by peers within the industry whom he holds in high regard.

He said he was particularly delighted to be recognised in Northern Ireland where he has chosen to live despite the more obvious television opportunities in London.

“I did live in London but when my children were very little I wanted to come back to Northern Ireland because that is where I have my roots,” he said.

“That meant going to London to work most weeks as my thing is big live weekend shows.”

To stay closer to home, Stephen set up Green Inc 20 years ago and he said he was delighted the local television industry was now thriving.

“The film industry is doing brilliantly and now the Northern Ireland television industry is also in a very exciting place,” he said.

“Channel Four and BBC are wanting to do more work out of Northern Ireland, which is great.”

Starting his career as a camera man before moving into directing, Stephen said he had never been interested in presenting, preferring his role behind the scenes. 

“Sitting in a gallery as a director and watching the off-air feed to your section and knowing they are coming to you in two minutes is thrilling,” he said.

“That is what gets my adrenaline going and I find it really addictive. It is like sitting on a roller coaster you cannot get off.”

Steve Carson, RTS NI chair and head of BBC Northern Ireland Productions, congratulated Stephen and other award recipients for their success in this year’s RTS programme.

“We’re extremely heartened to see the quality being produced in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“My thanks to the judging panel who had a tough job working through almost 70 entry submissions over the past 12 weeks. We’re all looking forward now to a stronger, enhanced awards programme in 2017.”