![Front Row, Front Row, Future of TV soaps, Joseph O'Connor's new book, stage version of Murakami short stories](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/480x270/p0bzj48x.jpg.webp)
Front Row
Front Row
Future of TV soaps, Joseph O'Connor's new book, stage version of Murakami short stories
February 12, 2025
42 minutes
Available for over a year
As scheduling changes are made to ITV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale, and as the 40th anniversary of EastEnders is celebrated with a live special on BBC One, how is the future looking for continuing drama on TV? Former Executive Producer of EastEnders John Yorke and Entertainment Journalist Emma Bullimore discuss the impact of the audience's viewing habits on commissioning.
Renowned Irish novelist Joseph O'Connor talks about his latest historical book, The Ghosts of Rome, a story of heroism set in Italy during World War Two.
And we hear about Vanishing Point theatre company's stage adaptation of acclaimed writer Haruki Murakami's short stories Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey, which is a co-production with the Kanagawa Arts Theatre of Japan.
Presenter: Kirsty Wark
Producer: Mark Crossan