In April 2014, Kim Shillinglaw was appointed as the Controller of BBC Two and BBC Four, succeeding Janice Hadlow. Prior to this role, Shillinglaw served as the BBC’s head of science and natural history commissioning, where she was instrumental in bringing complex subjects to mainstream audiences.
Her appointment was met with enthusiasm within the creative community, with Roly Keating, former BBC Two Controller and Chief Executive of the British Library, describing her as “creative, sharp and decisive.”
During her tenure, Shillinglaw aimed to rejuvenate BBC Two by focusing on contemporary issues and documentaries.
She expressed a desire for the channel to “be part of the national conversation,” tackling current topics in engaging and intelligent ways. Under her leadership, BBC Two introduced acclaimed programs such as “Exodus: Our Journey to Europe,” “Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners,” and “Black and British: A Forgotten History.”
These programs not only garnered critical acclaim but also sparked meaningful discussions on pressing societal issues.
In January 2016, as part of a strategic reorganization within the BBC, the roles of Controllers for BBC One, BBC Two, and BBC Four were eliminated.
Consequently, Shillinglaw decided to leave the corporation. Her departure marked the end of a significant chapter in BBC Two’s history, during which the channel experienced a revitalization and an increased focus on contemporary, thought-provoking content.