NI Head of Drama to leave BBC at end of month

Robert Cooper, Head of Drama at BBC Northern Ireland, is to leave the corporation at the end of January.
Cooper is to establish and run an independent production company.
Over the past 15 years Cooper has been responsible for titles such as ‘Truly Madly Deeply’, ‘Ballykissangel’, ‘Amongst Women’, ‘Sinners’, ‘Messiah’, ‘As The Beast Sleeps’ and most recently, the controversial ‘Holy Cross’.
He will continue as executive producer on the current BBC drama productions ‘Gunpowder, Treason & Plot’ and ‘Messiah 3’ and the BBC “looks forward to the new contributions he will make from the independent sector to its drama output.”
Anna Carragher, Controller of BBC Northern Ireland, said: "Robert Cooper has been an immensely important part of the creative life of both the BBC and Northern Ireland for many years and has made a major contribution to the development of writers, actors and producers within Northern Ireland.
"I wish him every success in his new venture".
(GB)