Paula

Paula Yates, the ground-breaking tv presenter, author and journalist, was one of the most famous British women of the 1980s and '90s. Appearing on the most iconic TV shows of the era, presenting both The Tube and The Big Breakfast on Channel 4, Paula redefined what it was to be a woman onscreen. Fiercely intelligent, outrageously flirtatious and effortlessly cool, Paula was also one of the first high-profile women in Britain to have her personal life played out daily in the tabloid press, and would experience the full impact of what it means to be a woman in the public eye.

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Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th March 2023

Often defined by her rockstar partners, married first to Bob Geldof and then in a relationship with Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of Australian rock band INXS, this two-part series aims to re-examine Paula on her own terms, exploring the huge influence she had, and the difficulties she faced as a result of her fame. After the tragic death of Michael Hutchence in 1997, Paula recorded a series of interviews with one journalist that have never been broadcast before. Using these audio tapes, as well as contributions from many of those who were close to Paula throughout her life, this series explores the pressures she faced, celebrates Paula, and gives her a voice in the telling of her own story.

Music Composed by

TIM GOALEN

Drama Cast:

Paula Yates

SALLY DAVEY

Martin Townsend

SIMON NOBLE

Make-up & Hair

SHERRIE WARWICK

ALICE THEOBOLD

Costume Designer

ALLISON WYLDECK

Art Director

HANNAH MOORMAN

Drama Camera Assistant

JOSH SPEAR

Drama Director of Photography

PATRICK SMITH

US Director of Photography

KEVIN ROBERTSON

US Sound Recordist

JAMES GODDARD

US Producer

CAROLINA PACHECO

US Data Wrangler

JOHN GOODNER

Directors of Photography

WILL BILLANY

STEVE MIDDLEDITCH

Additional Editing

FELIX BUCKLEY

Transcribers

SOPHIE BOHANE

MOIRA HALL

Production Assistants

SOPHIE EDGE

JOEL STOLZ-HUNTER

RICHARD YAXLEY

Graphics

ED EMMERSON

Post-Production Facility

SPLICE POST

Post Producer

LYDIA THATCHER

Colourist

CONNOR O’NEILL

Online Editor

SOL COKER

Dubbing Mixer

JACK LEWIS

Production Accountant

IWONA GONCALVES

Development Producer

BECKY KENT

Archive Producer

JOHN GREATHEAD

Production Co-ordinator

YASMIN HEIDARY-MILIC

Production Manager

KAT BEE

Head of Production

NICKY VARLEY

Editors

EMMA LYSAGHT

JOANNA CRICKMAY

Executive Producer

DOV FREEDMAN

Producer

CHARLENE CHIKA OSUAGWU

Directed by

CHARLIE RUSSELL