Dominic Treadwell-Collins

Born Dominic Charles C.T. Collins, Treadwell-Collins adapted his mother's maiden as a double-barreled compound surname.[http://www.freebmd.org.uk Free UK Genealogy website Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales, number 1167484 VAT registration: 233 0105 70)]

Treadwell-Collins' father, Michael J. Collins, was an Irishman who emigrated to London from Skibbereen, West Cork, in the mid-1960s.[https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-boss-i-refuse-to-tick-boxes-on-race-or-sexuality/amp/ Treadwell-Collins parents' info], radiotimes.com. Accessed 19 July 2022. His mother, Linda ({{nee}} Treadwell), is a hairdresser from Kilburn. The couple wed in Brent, London in 1975.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-02-03/eastenders-new-boss-and-his-star-danny-dyer-on-the-changes-coming-to-walford|title=EastEnders' new boss and his star Danny Dyer on the changes coming to Walford|publisher=radiotimes.com|access-date=8 February 2016}}

When Treadwell-Collins was in his teens, his father died in a drowning accident on holiday at the family home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. As a child, Treadwell-Collins had ambitions to work for the BBC. He lived in Radlett, Hertfordshire, near the BBC Elstree Centre, and used to look in through the gates.

Treadwell-Collins attended Edge Grove School (an independent school in Aldenham, Hertfordshire), followed by Harrow School and the University of Oxford.

Treadwell-Collins' first job in television was for the ITV crime drama series Midsomer Murders, devising means of killing off characters. He moved to Talkback Thames for four years, working as a story producer on the Five soap opera Family Affairs, where he was taught to storyline by Ian Aldwinckle.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} In 2007, he named the show winning the 2005 British Soap Award for "Best Storyline" the biggest achievement of his career. Family Affairs was cancelled in 2005, which surprised Treadwell-Collins, who had expected that several award wins meant the show would be extended. He felt that viewers remained "incredibly loyal" to the series, and that it would have had greater longevity had it aired on a different channel, or been better publicised by Five.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4532080.stm|title= End of the Affairs for Five soap|last=Bishop|first=Tom|date=30 December 2005|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC Online|access-date=1 February 2010}}

Treadwell-Collins began working on the BBC soap opera EastEnders in October 2005, as a senior story editor under Brigie de Courcy, before becoming story producer in January 2007. He was responsible for running the EastEnders story department, working with the show's writers to devise future storylines.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/s2/eastenders/news/a77057/all-about-eastenders-dominic-treadwell-collins.html|title=All about 'EastEnders' Dominic Treadwell-Collins|last=Oatts|first=Joanne|author2=Green, Kris|date=14 October 2007|work=Digital Spy|access-date=1 February 2010}}

In his first year on the show, he created the characters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack and Rita Simons.{{cite episode|title=EastEnders Revealed: The Secret Mitchell|series=EastEnders Revealed|series-link=EastEnders Revealed|credits=Adam Page (director, producer), Mark Cossey (executive producer)|network=BBC|station=BBC Three|airdate=2009-04-03|number=56}} In response to criticism of the show's lack of characters with disabilities, EastEnders producers planned to introduce several actors with disabilities in early 2009. Treadwell-Collins felt such characters are often portrayed as being unduly "noble" or "worthy", and suggested that EastEnders subvert this stereotype by making the new characters flawed.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/4241647/Boris-Johnson-opens-the-floodgates.html|title=Boris Johnson opens the floodgates |last=Walker|first=Tim|date=14 January 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=1 February 2010}} He created the storyline in which the Muslim character Syed Masood struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality, and his relationship with Christian Clarke,{{cite web|url=https://www.televisual.com/news/alexander-lamb-joins-treadwell-collins-happy-prince/|title=Alexander Lamb joins Treadwell-Collins' Happy Prince|date=5 May 2021|first=John|last=Creamer|work=Telvisual.com|accessdate=18 November 2024}} as well as "The Secret Mitchell" and the "Who Killed Archie?" whodunnit, which culminated in the show's first live episode in February 2010.

Treadwell-Collins stood down from his EastEnders role on 25 June 2010, becoming head of development at Kudos' Lovely Day production company. The company is run by former EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer, who commented: "Dominic is a brilliant and original talent, bursting with great ideas and gripping stories. Many of EastEnders{{'}} best storylines and characters of the last few years have come directly from his imagination and design, and he played an integral part in conceiving and plotting the hugely successful 25th anniversary episodes. I'm delighted to be resuming our creative partnership at Lovely Day." Treadwell-Collins stated: "I have had an amazing time at EastEnders and I couldn't have dreamed of a better place to work. Working on EastEnders has enabled me to create some fantastic storylines and characters that have been received so well but after four-and-a-half years of life in Walford, I feel that it is time to move on and try something new."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a234703/treadwell-collins-joins-santers-lovely-day.html|title=Treadwell-Collins joins Santer's Lovely Day|last=Green|first=Kris|date=28 June 2010|work=Digital Spy|access-date=4 July 2010}}

On 29 July 2013, it was announced that Treadwell-Collins would be returning to EastEnders as executive producer, taking over from Lorraine Newman, who resigned from the role after sixteen months on the job. He assumed the position on 19 August 2013{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dominictc/status/368410124937101312 |title=Twitter / dominictc: Had an amazing three years |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2 January 2014}} and his first episode as executive producer aired on 9 December 2013.

His first major cast change was to introduce Shirley Carter's (Linda Henry) extended family, who took over The Queen Vic – her brother (later revealed to be her son) Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), sister Tina (Luisa Bradshaw-White), Mick's common-law wife Linda (Kellie Bright){{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-01/eastenders-danny-dyer-and-kellie-bright-to-become-new-queen-vic-landlord-and-landlady|title=EastEnders: Danny Dyer and Kellie Bright to become new Queen Vic landlord and landlady|last=Brown|first=David|date=1 October 2013|work=Radio Times|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=1 October 2013}} and their children Lee (Danny Hatchard), Nancy (Maddy Hill) and Johnny (Sam Strike).{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a527099/eastenders-first-picture-of-danny-dyers-carter-family.html|title='EastEnders': First picture of Danny Dyer's Carter family|last=Rigby|first=Sam|date=29 October 2013|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=29 October 2013}}

The family was later expanded to include Shirley and Tina's father Stan Carter (Timothy West), their maternal aunt Babe Smith (Annette Badland){{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a537446/eastenders-casts-timothy-west-annette-badland-as-new-carters.html |title=EastEnders casts Timothy West, Annette Badland as new Carters – EastEnders News – Soaps |publisher=Digital Spy |date=12 December 2013 |access-date=2 January 2014}} and their estranged mother Sylvie (Linda Marlowe),{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/02/eastenders-to-welcome-matriarch-sylvie-to-the-carter-clan-4819264/|title=Sylvie Carter to make EastEnders bow|first=Caroline Westbrook for|last=Metro.co.uk|date=2 August 2014}} plus Shirley's son Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo) who returned to the show after several years.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a544018/eastenders-matt-di-angelo-returning-as-deano-wicks.html|title=EastEnders return for Matt Di Angelo|website=Digital Spy |date=15 January 2014}} Other major characters introduced by Treadwell-Collins include Dot Branning's (June Brown) grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett),{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a545602/eastenders-casts-dot-brannings-grandson-charlie-cotton.html|title=EastEnders casts Dot Branning's grandson Charlie Cotton|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=22 January 2014|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines|access-date=22 January 2014}} Pam (Lin Blakley) wife of established recurring character Les Coker (Roger Sloman), Donna Yates (Lisa Hammond), Vincent Hubbard (Richard Blackwood) as Kim Fox's husband, Claudette Hubbard (Ellen Thomas) as Vincent's mother and Donna's adoptive Mother, and the Kazemi family - Kush (Davood Ghadami), Carmel (Bonnie Langford) and Shakil Kazemi (Shaheen Jafargholi).{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/eastenders-spoilers-lucy-beale-murder-3425244|title=EastEnders: 'Yummy mummy' actress Anna Acton cast as leading police officer in Lucy Beale murder case|first=Mark|last=Jefferies|website=Daily Mirror |date=17 April 2014}}

He reintroduced several characters who had previously featured in the show, including Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy){{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a523538/eastenders-confirms-sonia-fowler-return.html|title='EastEnders' confirms Sonia Fowler return|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=15 October 2013|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=15 October 2013}} Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), Les Coker (Roger Sloman),{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-12-06/eastenders-lacey-turner-to-return-as-stacey-branning-in-the-new-year|title='EastEnders':Lacey Turner to return as Stacey Branning in the new year|last=Brown|first=David|work=Radio Times|publisher=6 December 2013|access-date=6 December 2013}} Jane Beale (Laurie Brett), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton){{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a541929/eastenders-jane-beale-makes-surprise-return-to-show.html|title=EastEnders: Jane makes surprise return|date=6 January 2014|publisher=Digital Spy}} Jack Branning (Scott Maslen),{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-24/eastenders-scott-maslen-makes-surprise-return-as-jack-branning|title=EastEnders: Scott Maslen makes surprise return as Jack Branning}} and Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) who all returned permanently, while the likes of Peggy Mitchell (Dame Barbara Windsor),{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a599234/eastenders-barbara-windsor-makes-surprise-return-as-peggy-mitchell.html|title=EastEnders airs surprise Peggy return|website=Digital Spy |date=25 September 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a615006/eastenders-barbara-windsor-returning-for-30th-anniversary.html|first= Justin|last=Harp|title=Barbara Windsor returning to EastEnders|website=Digital Spy |date=8 December 2014}} Nick Cotton (John Altman),{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a587062/eastenders-john-altman-returning-to-show-as-nick-cotton.html|title=EastEnders: John Altman returning to show as Nick Cotton|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=29 July 2014|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=29 July 2014}} Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Sam Mitchell (Danniella Westbrook) returning for guest appearances. The characters of Shabnam Masood,{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a535048/eastenders-shabnam-masood-returning-to-soap-role-recast.html|title='EastEnders': Shabnam Masood returning to soap, role recast|last=Drewett|first=Meg|work=Digital Spy|publisher=1 December 2013|access-date=1 December 2013}} Bex Fowler, Ben Mitchell,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a584750/eastenders-ben-mitchell-to-be-played-by-newcomer-harry-reid.html#~oZEMNrOdLC2DXp|title=EastEnders: See the new Ben Mitchell|first=Tom|last=Eames|website=Digital Spy |date=17 July 2014}} Martin Fowler,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a602930/eastenders-recasts-martin-fowler-james-bye-to-take-over-role.html|title=EastEnders recasts Martin Fowler|website=Digital Spy |date=11 October 2014}} Louise Mitchell,{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a777294/here-comes-trouble-phil-mitchells-feisty-daughter-louise-is-returning-to-eastenders-next-year/|title =Here comes trouble: Phil Mitchell's feisty daughter Louise is returning to EastEnders next year|work=Digital Spy|date=16 December 2015|access-date=16 December 2015|first=Sophie|last=Dainty}} Jordan Johnson and Belinda Peacock{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/b16063c3-c044-4469-b9f2-76872b9af6fa|title=Carli Norris to play Belinda Slater|date=2015-12-20|website=EastEnders News & Spoilers|access-date=2017-04-10}} were also reintroduced, but the roles were recast to Rakhee Thakrar, Jasmine Armfield, Harry Reid, James Bye,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/6deae0b3-e757-349b-b84c-678cca445f76?postId=120567369&initial_page_size=20|title=Martin Fowler returns to Albert Square|website=EastEnders News & Spoilers|date=12 October 2014 |access-date=10 April 2016}} Tilly Keeper,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/442d6866-9550-4d0f-9435-d7739a8b83c9|title=Louise Mitchell Returns To Albert Square|website=EastEnders News & Spoilers|date=16 December 2015 |access-date=10 April 2016}} Joivan Wade{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/ee56d0a2-945a-40d1-aca1-88c53d0c75b0|title=Jordan Johnson returns to EastEnders|website=EastEnders News & Spoilers|date=11 January 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016}} and Carli Norris{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/b16063c3-c044-4469-b9f2-76872b9af6fa|title=Carli Norris to play Belinda Slater|date=2015-12-20|website=EastEnders News & Spoilers|access-date=2017-04-10}} respectively.

Treadwell-Collins also created a spin-off for the EastEnders characters Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) set in Ireland called Kat & Alfie: Redwater, which started on BBC One and RTÉ One in May 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-04-04/eastenders-kat-and-alfie-to-get-their-own-drama-series-on-bbc1|title=EastEnders: Kat and Alfie to get their own drama series on BBC1|last=Brown|first=David|date=4 April 2015|work=Radio Times|access-date=25 April 2015}}

Treadwell-Collins' decision to leave the show was announced on 18 February 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eastenders/entries/dc5a0a28-acd5-4386-9102-c311b9627eda|title=Dominic Treadwell-Collins set to depart as Executive Producer|date=18 February 2016|access-date=15 May 2016}} He described his choice as "not one I have taken lightly" and citied his reasons for leaving as wanting to "move on to other things". His final work on the show saw him produce the conclusion to the Who Killed Lucy Beale? storyline and produce the death of Peggy Mitchell (Dame Barbara Windsor). Of Windsor's request that he produce her exit storyline, Treadwell-Collins said "When Dame Barbara comes to you to produce her final episodes, you cannot say no." His final day at EastEnders was 6 May 2016.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dominictc/status/728494503913459712|title=DomTreadwellCollins on Twitter: "It's my last day on Albert Square."|last=Treadwell-Collins|first=Dominic|date=6 May 2016|publisher=Twitter|access-date=6 May 2016}}

Treadwell-Collins' new post as Head of Television at Blueprint Television was announced on 7 June 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-06-07/new-job-for-ex-eastenders-boss-dominic-treadwell-collins-revealed|title=New job for ex-EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins revealed|last=Brown|first=David|date=7 June 2016|work=Radio Times|publisher=Immediate Media Company|access-date=14 October 2016}} Treadwell-Collins stated his admiration of films produced by Blueprints and his excitement to "develop their television arm". The co-chairman of Blueprint Pictures, Graham Broadbent, added that the company were "excited to have someone of his experience and calibre to launch Blueprint's TV side". Whilst at Blueprint, he developed and produced A Very English Scandal for the BBC and Amazon, starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, written by Russell T Davies and directed by Stephen Frears, winning Golden Globe, Emmy, Critics Choice, Rose D'Or, RTS and BAFTA awards.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

He left Blueprint in 2019 to set up his own label, Happy Prince, at ITV Studios.{{cn|date=July 2022}} In 2022, he wrote and produced Holding for ITV and Virgin Media, based on the novel by Graham Norton and directed by Kathy Burke.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at Harrow School

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:British soap opera producers

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Category:British television producers

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