BBC to mark census week with new drama 32 Brinkburn Street

The BBC daytime controller, Liam Keelan, is planning a short season of programming marking census week in March next year. New drama 32 Brinkburn Street will follow two generations of the same family and show how attitudes to issues such as pregnancy, addiction and ageing have changed between 1931 and 2011. Factual series Making Britain Count will use census findings from 1901 to 2011 to reveal how the UK has changed. Separately, Keelan has commissioned a new series celebrating the work of police officers in Britain's Bravest Cops. Keelan also said he is increasing the amount of current affairs , UK-produced drama such as Moving On by Jimmy McGovern and consumer shows during daytime on the BBC. "Over the next year we're going to be bringing our daytime viewers almost 100 more hours of current affairs, social issues and consumer affairs, as well as nearly doubling factual and drama events from three or four to at least six each year in the same vein as The Week We Went to War and the award-winning Land Girls," he said. "As the sole provider of UK-originated drama in daytime, I'm thrilled to be able to continue our commitment to this." He added: "And today I'm genuinely delighted to be able to announce these new commissions which I know will resonate strongly with our audience." The BBC said that over the past 12 months, there has already been a 140% increase in consumer and current affairs in daytime, as well as more money being directed to UK-originated drama. The five episodes of 32 Brinkburn Street are being made by BBC Drama in Manchester with Jessica Pope and Gerard Melling executive producing. Making Britain Count will be produced by Twenty Twenty Television. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".