Jason Daniel
Script Producer: 2011
Jason Daniel completed a journalism degree and worked as a journalist and arts editor at various news outlets across the 1980s. In 1989, he moved into the Neighbours script department as the story editor under Ray Kolle.
In 1991, South Pacific Pictures purchased a concept for a half-hour soap from Grundy Television, which saw Jason conceive the series. Subsequently, he moved to New Zealand to set up what would become Shortland Street. He remained with the series for the first years before returning to Neighbours.
In 1994, Jason was appointed as the European Drama Executive for Grundy Worldwide (which became Pearson, then FremantleMedia). In this role, Jason developed new dramas across Europe, be it by way of creation or adaptation of concept, established the production and supervised the writing of the show. These include:
- Verbontene Liebe (Forbidden Love, Germany)
- Skilda Världar (Worlds Apart, Sweden)
- Salatut Elämät (Secret Lives, Finland)
- Suche nach dem Paradies (In Search of Paradise, Germany)
- Hinter Gittern (Behind Bars, Germany)
- Barátok közt (Between Friends, Hungary)
Jason also devised sitcoms in Sweden and Denmark during this time.
After receiving a promotion in 2000, Jason was appointed as Head of Drama Development, Europe at Grundy Worldwide. During this time, he developed and supervised a myriad of new productions, including Belahan Hati (Forbidden Love, Indonesia) and Na Wspólnej (Between Friends, Poland).
Over his eight years in Europe, Jason wrote and produced the first daily serials in Sweden, Finlay and Hungary, adapting Mother & Son, Prisoner Cell Block H and Sons and Daughters for multiple markets; the latter being the most widely replicated serial format.
Jason was appointed the Head of Drama Development, North America in 2002, leading the company’s expansion in the US.
After working in Asia, Africa and the USA, Jason returned to New Zealand in 2005 to take over from Katie Wolfe as series producer of Shortland Street. Over his three years on the series, he was responsible for the wildly popular Ferndale Strangler storyline, which lasted 10 months. He also berated TVNZ for their censorship of a gay storyline, stating, “When we do the lesbian stories, everyone is very happy to point out that Shortland Street is a PGR [parental guidance recommended] programme, and it deals in adult themes, and it always has. When it’s two men, we have fraught discussions about corrupting the morals of a nation.” He left just a few months later.
He was praised by South Pacific’s then-head of drama, Simon Bennett, who said, “As producer of Shortland Street, Jason has revamped the look of the programme, introducing all new hospital sets and uniforms, a raft of intriguing characters, and has been instrumental in the development of such successful storylines as last year’s top-rating serial killer story. Under Jason’s stewardship, Shortland Street has consistently rated in the top five programmes in TV2’s 18 to 39 demographic. Jason has been a key part of Shortland Street’s many years of success for TV2. He played a pivotal role in establishing the show as story editor 16 years ago and after three and a half years in the producer’s chair, he leaves the show in excellent shape.”
Following a three year stint overseeing Shortland Street, Jason moved into development as a freelancer.
Jason was appointed as the script producer of Home and Away in June 2010. Over his six months at the series, he conceived the River Boys, thus introducing Brax, Heath and Casey Braxton as well as oversaw storylines such as April’s OCD, Angelo’s disappearance and Marilyn’s failed adoption of Nicole’s baby. He also re-established former script producer, Scott Taylor as a story editor. His first episode in the top job aired on 7th February 2011 (Ep#5226) and his final episode aired on 27th May 2011 (Ep#5305).
Jason’s Credits
Neighbours
Story Editor (1989-1991, 1993-1994)
Script Editor (1991)
Shortland Street
Creator
Story Editor (1992)
Script Producer (1992-1993)
Producer (2005-2008)
Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love, Germany)
Creator/Head Writer (1995)
Skilda världar (Worlds Apart, Sweden)
Creator/Heard Writer (1996-1997)
Salatut elämät (Secret Lives, Finland)
Creator/Head Writer (1996-1997)
Hinter Gittern (Behind Bars, Germany)
Creator/Head Writer (1997-1998)
Barátok Közt (Among Friends, Hungary)
Creator/Head Writer (1998-1999)
Mallorca – Suche nach dem Paradies (In Search of Paradise, Germany)
Creator/Head Writer (1999-2000)
Jason’s Writing Credits
Neighbours (1989-1994)
Shortland Street (1992)
Verbotene Liebe (1995)
Skilda Världar (1996-1997)
Barátok Közt (1998-1999)
Mallorca – Suche nach dem Paradies (1999-2000)
With thanks to Jason Daniel