Lime Pictures ups Hannah Cheers to Creative Director
Si Wall steps up to Executive Producer of Hollyoaks
Lime Pictures has appointed Hollyoaks Executive Producer Hannah Cheers as Creative Director, with current Series Producer Si Wall succeeding her at the helm of the Channel 4 continuing drama.
Cheers takes on the expanded editorial and leadership role following more than three years as Executive Producer of Hollyoaks.
An award-winning producer whose credits include Coronation Street and Emmerdale, Cheers has worked closely with Wall on Hollyoaks, including its 30th anniversary episodes and Brookside crossover.
During her tenure, the programme has tackled storylines exploring bowel and ovarian cancers, sibling sexual abuse and abuse of power, alongside developing new ways to connect with audiences across platforms.
John Whittle, Managing Director of Lime Pictures, said: “Hannah is an exceptional creative with a deep understanding of her audience and a passion for telling stories that connect. Her ambition to develop warmth-filled and hook driven drama with authentic regional voices, particularly female skewing series rooted in the North-West, builds on Lime’s rich scripted heritage.
“I’m excited to see that vision brought to this new role. Si has been central to Hollyoaks’ success, and I’m delighted to see him step up as Executive Producer. Together, they have delivered some outstanding television, and these appointments mark an exciting next chapter for both Hollyoaks and Lime.”
Hannah Cheers, Creative Director of Lime Pictures, said:
“Lime is proudly rooted in Liverpool, with an appetite for stories and voices from everywhere. As Creative Director, I want to make space for brilliant talent, bold ideas and conversations that start with ‘what if?’.
“From original stories to fresh takes on much loved IP, there’s so much opportunity to take creative risks, challenge convention and find new ways to connect with audiences.
“Watching your favourite shows should be a treat. I love big characters, messy lives and addictive hooks. Programmes that are warm, bold, funny, heartbreaking and completely compelling. I want to make unapologetically popular television, full of humanity, that makes you feel joy and desperate to share it with your friends.”
Si Wall, Executive Producer of Hollyoaks, said:
“I want to bring new audiences to Hollyoaks with urgent stories that speak to young people, while honouring the fans who’ve been with us for years. We have some of the best families in soap, with a strong track record of paring established actors with new and emerging talent.
“Hollyoaks is known for rug-pull twists and salacious turns, which work because they affect characters we care about and are relatable. They might make more daring choices than we would, but we recognise their hopes and dreams. That’s what makes Hollyoaks so exciting: the freedom to go big, with real people at the heart of it and I am looking forward to delivering that magic to viewers.”
Lime Pictures is part of Banijay Entertainment and is based in Liverpool producing kids and family scripted programming such as Emmy nominated fantasy animation Wolf King for Netflix; CBBC series Girl Troop vs Aliens; Zero Chill and double Daytime Emmy award-winning Free Rein for Netflix. Lime produces the award-winning continuing drama Hollyoaks, which has celebrated 30 years as Channel 4’s flagship soap, marked with a revival of Brookside for a historic crossover episode. With more than 30 years’ experience in producing content for global audiences Lime produces for all platforms, both linear and VOD, and has played a pioneering role in using television as a way of on-screen storytelling, and as an off-screen platform, to communicate with a younger audience.
