Leslie Woodhead obituary

The Guardian UK Monday 06 July 2026, 16:11 UTC By Anthony Hayward 1 min read

Key Points

Director of current affairs programmes who was a pioneer of drama-documentaries on British televisionThe film-maker Leslie Woodhead, who has died aged 88, helped to establish the hard-hitting ITV current affairs programme World in Action, and was a pioneer of drama-documentaries on British television. He invented the format as a way of telling the stories of those behind the iron curtain during the cold war between the Soviet Union and the west, when direct access for journalists and film...

Director of current affairs programmes who was a pioneer of drama-documentaries on British television

The film-maker Leslie Woodhead, who has died aged 88, helped to establish the hard-hitting ITV current affairs programme World in Action, and was a pioneer of drama-documentaries on British television. He invented the format as a way of telling the stories of those behind the iron curtain during the cold war between the Soviet Union and the west, when direct access for journalists and film crews was difficult. “For us, the dramatised documentary is an exercise in journalism, not dramatic art,” he explained.

The first was The Man Who Wouldn’t Keep Quiet (1970), which told the story of the Russian dissident and former Soviet army general Petro Grigorenko, who was being held in a psychiatric hospital, portrayed by actors.

Leslie Woodhead (PERSON) British (ORG) ITV (ORG) the cold war (EVENT) the Soviet Union (LOCATION) Russian (ORG) Soviet (ORG) Petro Grigorenko (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

The Nigerian-American writer says she ‘will not watch’ Gina Prince-Bythewood’s adaptation of her fantasy bestsellerTomi Adeyemi, the author of the popular YA fantasy Children of Blood and Bone, has distanced herself from the forthcoming film adaptation of her book. “There is a reason I will not post anything about the adaptation of my work,” the Nigerian-American author said in group chat messages shared to TikTok.

The Guardian World 28m ago

Russell T Davies teases a new TV project - but says he 'doesn't know if it works'

The Swansea-born screenwriter says the problems in Tip Toe are not exclusive to the LGBT community.

BBC Entertainment 39m ago

Pamplona's San Fermín festival begins with fireworks and celebrations

The San Fermin Festival officially began in Pamplona on Monday as thousands of people packed the square outside City Hall to mark the start of the famous celebration. Fireworks signalled the opening, prompting loud cheers from the crowd. The video shows revellers celebrating beneath the City Hall balcony before bands arrive to lead singing and dancing in the square, where many participants already wear the festival's traditional white clothing and red scarves.

Euronews 45m ago

Streaming storm made ITV sharing a roof with Sky sadly inevitable

While everyone agrees the deal is the end of an era, it was also unavoidable in the era of Netflix and Disney+A generation ago, ITV was regarded as such a precious jewel in the UK broadcasting firmament that there was outrage when BSkyB, as it was, bought a 17.9% stake to stop anybody else getting their hands on the business. After a drawn-out saga, the then Murdoch-controlled Sky was forced by regulators to divest in the interests of plurality. Politicians breathed a sigh of relief.

The Guardian Business 49m ago

Leslie Woodhead obituary

Related Stories

‘Attacked behind the scenes’: Children of Blood & Bone author Tomi Adeyemi distances herself from film adaptation

Russell T Davies teases a new TV project - but says he 'doesn't know if it works'

Pamplona's San Fermín festival begins with fireworks and celebrations

Streaming storm made ITV sharing a roof with Sky sadly inevitable