ITV1 and ITV2 link up for drama

ITV drama controller, Laura Mackie has commissioned two shows which will be shown on ITV1 and ITV2.

ITV1 will broadcast Moving Wallpaper, a single-camera comedy drama set behind the scenes at a new soap, Echo Beach, which will air on the same night on ITV2.

The hope is that ITV1 viewers will watch the behind-the-scenes show, then switch over to ITV2 for Echo Beach, which is set in a Cornish resort.

Mackie said: “Moving Wallpaper/Echo Beach is a hugely exciting project and a great chance to use the two channels in a genuinely innovative way. Viewers will be able to enjoy both series independently but will get a real reward from seeing how the two worlds work together."

Kudos, the makers of Spooks, Life On Mars and Hustle, will make both series, which are its first commissions for ITV.

Tony Jordan, who has written for Eastenders since 1985, will executive produce both shows for independent Red Planet, with Jane Featherstone and Clare Parker from Kudos.

Controller of ITV2 Zai Bennett added: "We're delighted that ITV2's first real move into drama will be with a company as accomplished and exciting as Kudos and with the equally exciting Tony Jordan."