Susanne Simpson Named Executive Producer of MASTERPIECE
News
Rebecca Eaton Will Remain as Executive-Producer-At-Large
Boston, MA; November 21, 2019—MASTERPIECE, the iconic PBS drama series which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021, today has announced that Susanne Simpson has been promoted to Executive Producer from Deputy Executive Producer. Simpson, a two- time Academy Award® nominee and two-time Emmy® winner, will be responsible for the slate of programming for the series and its day to day operations. Rebecca Eaton, who has headed MASTERPIECE since 1985, will stay on as Executive-Producer-at-Large, focusing on the development of new drama projects and fundraising for the MASTERPIECE Trust.
“There is no one better prepared than Susanne to succeed Rebecca,” says John Bredar, Vice President of Programming at WGBH Boston, where MASTERPIECE is produced. “And MASTERPIECE will continue to benefit from Rebecca’s sharp-eyed sense of story and character and her unique ability to connect with funders who support the series. In this competitive TV landscape, we are fortunate to have Susanne and Rebecca–two of the most talented executives working in drama today—taking MASTERPIECE into the future.”
Eaton says, “For me, an Anglophile bookworm and the daughter of an English professor and an actress, MASTERPIECE has been my ideal professional home. I relish working with my British colleagues, the people who actually make and sell these fabulous programs, and I am convinced that MASTERPIECE is still vital today because of the steadfast support of PBS; our funders; and, most importantly, our famously loyal viewers.”
One of the most celebrated producers in television, Eaton has led MASTERPIECE to 62 Primetime Emmy Awards®, 16 Peabody Awards, six Golden Globes®, and two Academy Award® nominations. In 2008 she oversaw a highly successful relaunch of the series which attracted a new generation of viewers. In 2011 she launched The MASTERPIECE Trust which, to date, has raised more than $20 million from dedicated viewers to secure the series’ future. Eaton was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people and her distinguished career has earned her the official recognition of Queen Elizabeth II —with an honorary OBE (Officer, Order of the British Empire). Her memoir, MAKING MASTERPIECE: 25 Years Behind the Scenes at Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! on PBS, was published by Viking in 2013.
“It’s an incredible honor to be taking over a series with MASTERPIECE’s unique history – one that has created a devoted audience for British drama,” says Simpson. “For 12 years, I’ve worked closely with Rebecca Eaton, and I’m so grateful for her, and WGBH’s, support. With the wealth of great drama coming from our UK partners, it’s a thrilling time to be working at MASTERPIECE.”
As Deputy Executive Producer, Simpson has been part of the executive team working closely with Eaton on the selection of programming as well as heading up the promotion, marketing and digital efforts on behalf of all MASTERPIECE programs. She is the Executive Producer of the award-winning MASTERPIECE Studio podcast, which has 14 million downloads to date. Since joining MASTERPIECE in 2007, Simpson has been responsible for such programs as Sherlock, Wolf Hall, and Victoria — and oversaw all aspects of the U.S. broadcast of the hit series Downton Abbey —the most watched drama in PBS history and recipient of 59 Emmy® nominations and 12 wins. Prior to MASTERPIECE, she was Supervising Producer for the WGBH-produced science series NOVA and Executive Producer for NOVA’s IMAX films, producing the highly-acclaimed Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure and Special Effects with George Lucas’ company Industrial Light and Magic, which was nominated for an Academy Award®.
