Courage has gone out of broadcasting, says Grange Hill creator
4 min read
Sir Phil Redmond said: ‘we’ve got too many programmes being made by people who just want to be in telly’ Credit: Jeff Gilbert
Sir Phil Redmond, the creator of iconic British TV shows Grange Hill and Hollyoaks, has expressed concerns that modern broadcasting has lost its courage. He argues that today’s television lacks the boldness to address tough issues, and suggests that TV regulations should be broken more frequently to allow for more honest and gritty storytelling. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Redmond highlighted the need for hard-hitting drama that reflects the real-life challenges young people face today, especially in an age dominated by social media.
In his interview, Redmond discussed how social media’s impact on society should be explored more frankly on television. He believes that television, which once pushed boundaries with shows like Grange Hill, is now too cautious, avoiding the deep, often uncomfortable issues that young people deal with. He stated, “I think the problem is that the courage has gone out of broadcasting… there’s too much risk aversion.”
Redmond was joined on the show by Grange Hill star Michelle Gayle and Lord Michael Grade, Chairman of Ofcom, who both emphasized the importance of addressing tough topics on screen. Gayle pointed to the rise of issues like misogyny and mental health as crucial topics that modern television needs to tackle in a real and unflinching way. Lord Grade agreed with Redmond, suggesting that upsetting television regulators like Ofcom could be necessary if it leads to more important, unfiltered content being aired.
Redmond reflected on his experience with Grange Hill, saying that the show’s bold storylines—dealing with topics like drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS—often angered regulators but were immensely appreciated by audiences. “The harder you made the storyline, the more you upset the regulators, but the more the audience appreciated it,” Redmond remarked. He believes that the real value of these programs lies in their ability to portray the lived realities of young people, showing their struggles and providing a sense of recognition. “What they want to see is their own life put on screen as realistically as possible,” he added.
Lord Grade, who had previously worked with Redmond on Grange Hill, described the show as a groundbreaking piece of television. He emphasized that Grange Hill fundamentally changed the landscape of youth programming, shifting away from the idealized, gentle storylines of earlier youth dramas that resembled the works of Enid Blyton. “Then along came Grange Hill, the anxieties of growing up, there it was in the raw,” said Lord Grade, praising the show for its gritty and honest portrayal of teenage life.
Grange Hill aired on the BBC from 1978 to 2008 and was lauded for its commitment to social realism. The show tackled controversial issues head-on, including racism, mental illness, drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, and the HIV/AIDS crisis. These topics were largely unexplored in youth television before Grange Hill.
Michelle Gayle, who played Fiona Wilson on the show, discussed the diverse nature of the cast and characters. She stressed that there was no conscious effort to label her character as a “diversity hire” or to fit into a “woke casting” narrative. Instead, Grange Hill naturally portrayed a multicultural school environment that reflected the reality of schools across the UK at the time. Gayle noted, “It was never, ‘you’re the black person,’ or ‘you’re the token,’ it was, ‘let’s show what’s happening right now.’”
The conversation also touched on what issues Grange Hill might explore if it were to air today. Lord Grade suggested that mental health and family relationships would be central themes, as these are both urgent and emotionally engaging subjects for today’s audience. Gayle added that Grange Hill would likely delve into the rise of misogyny, particularly in the context of social media, which she believes is contributing to a toxic environment for young boys. “I think there’s a real conversation to be had around TV getting a grip… to get young boys to watch so they are outside this toxic echo chamber,” Gayle explained.
Redmond, however, pointed to social media itself as the primary issue for modern youth. He believes that social media platforms create a one-sided narrative that leaves young people without the guidance they need to navigate complex topics. In contrast, Grange Hill always offered a sense of hope and solutions, saying, “It didn’t matter what the issue was… Grange Hill would always offer some solution or some way to go and ask somebody about this issue. At the end of it, it’s basically, you’re not on your own.”
The conversation surrounding Grange Hill highlights a growing frustration with the state of modern broadcasting, especially in an age where sensationalism and risk aversion seem to dominate. For Sir Phil Redmond, the loss of courage in television means that audiences are being denied the opportunity to engage with content that is as real, raw, and impactful as Grange Hill was in its heyday. The hope is that, by reviving this kind of honest storytelling, television can reconnect with its roots and provide younger generations with the representation and guidance they need.
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