The power behind the mini-series

From Media Guardian (free registration required)

This Easter ITV's drama blockbuster is Colditz [written by Peter Morgan], and at first sight the glossy mini-series about Europe's most haunting war prison seems to have "Granada classic" stamped all over it. Damian Lewis, of Band of Brothers, The Forsyte Saga and Jeffrey Archer: The Truth, stars as the first escapee from Colditz. Andy Harries, of Cold Feet, Life Begins and Dirty Filthy Love is executive producer. But at the screening Harries was overshadowed by Justin Bodle, 44, the co-producer, whose little-known London-based company, Power, contributed 40% of the £6m budget.

Maggie Brown's article looks at the success of Bodle, and his criteria for an international hit mini-series.

Laura Mackie, the BBC's deputy drama controller, says Bodle is more than just a financier: "Power's primary creative input is in the casting, mainly because they need internationally recognised names to sell their shows in as many countries as possible. They have some involvement in scripts, and the vision of the piece. So far it has worked well."