Hot Shots 2022: Cicelia Deane

Cicelia Deane is carving out a unique and important space in British TV, by elevating small and emerging indies to make shows that authentically represent black British voices.

Recognising that these are producers that may not have made many shows for mainstream broadcasters, Deane takes a mentoring, collaborative approach, creating a supportive working environment to help them flourish and open doors for them in the wider TV industry.

She joined BET UK a year ago at a crucial stage for the global broadcaster, as it began allocating budget to productions from the UK for the first time, for shows to play out on My5, Sky and the BET International YouTube page.

Deane has quickly made her mark, overseeing VIS UK’s The Culture Capsule – nominated for Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Digital Awards – and Cardiff Productions’ Moments That Shaped Queer Black Britain.

TV pedigree

Other indies picking up commissions include Renowned Films, which has scored two series of We Do That, MFT Media (Dating Black), Big Deal Films (Iconic Albums) and Fan Studios (The Evolution Of Black British Music). Upcoming shows include black British celebrity-led series Me And My Mum.

Deane has also overseen BET UK’s shortform music content to support US tentpole events such as the BET Hip Hop Awards.

Remarkably, this is Deane’s first commissioning role after 20 years as a freelance producer. Her many credits speak volumes about her winning touch across the factual, fact ent, entertainment and reality genres.

She was series producer on Naked’s BBC3 series The Rap Game UK and Lemonade Money’s Yo! MTV Raps, and series edit producer on Optomen’s BBC1 series Sort Your Life Out In 7 Days.

Other notable shows she has worked on include Celebs Go Dating, The House Of Extraordinary People, A&E Live, Tattoo Fixers, The X Factor, Celebrity Big Brother, Don’t Get Done Get Dom, Grand Designs and Come Dine With Me.

At ViacomCBS-owned BET UK, she is using her platform to amplify the shows she commissions, including a live debate around the issues covered in Moments That Shaped Queer Black Britain and a gala celebrity music event for The Evolution Of Black British Music.

Craig Orr, vice-president, content and development for ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), Youth and Entertainment, says: “Cicelia injected momentum into her already successful career by taking the BET UK role. From day one, she approached this with a determination to drive the brand forward, giving black British audiences the content they need and deserve.

“Working closely with black-owned companies, Cicelia is determined to drive opportunities for black talent, at whatever level, both on and off screen.”