2020 Impact Report

2020 Impact Report

We are pleased to share with you the following MASTERPIECE Trust Impact Report, which highlights MASTERPIECE and The MASTERPIECE Trust’s recent accomplishments.

It goes without saying that 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges, and we are so proud that MASTERPIECE has continued to deliver accessible, uplifting, high-quality programming in these historic times. This past year, our team released a slate of critically-acclaimed new and returning programs and engaged audiences in innovative ways through cross-platform media initiatives. So much of what MASTERPIECE has done in this arena simply would not have been possible without your dedication and generosity.

Until we can gather again, please know how much your support means to the entire MASTERPIECE team. We do hope that we’re able to thank you in person before too long – celebrating MASTERPIECE’s achievements together will be all the more profound after our time apart!

Warmly,

Susanne Simpson Rebecca Eaton Emma Thomas Executive Producer Executive Major Gifts Officer Producer-At-Large

The MASTERPIECE Trust 2 2020 Impact Report MASTERPIECE Trust Members Around the Country

MASTERPIECE Trust Partner Stations

o HPM/Houston o TPT/Twin Cities o KERA/North Texas o VPBS/Vermont o KLRU/Austin o VPM/Richmond o KPBS/ San Diego o WCMU/Michigan o KQED/ San Francisco o WHRO/Norfolk o KWSU/Washington o WNET/New York o MPBN/Maine o WPBT2/South Florida o MPT/Maryland o WPT/Wisconsin

o NEPM/Springfield o WTCI/Chattanooga

o OETA/Oklahoma o WTTW/Chicago o PMGoSC/Los Angeles o WUCF/Orlando

MASTERPIECE Trust in 2020

Partnerships MASTERPIECE Trust 22 partner stations 47 current donors across the country

c

Contributions Money Shared Over $35.6 million Over $9.1 million since 2011 has gone to support our partner stations

The MASTERPIECE Trust 3 2020 Impact Report Responding to the Current Moment

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of global history and continues to impact lives across the nation. While media production and entertainment industries have been impacted by COVID restrictions, MASTERPIECE has taken numerous strategic steps in response to the pandemic in order to ensure that the series is able to continue to serve as an avenue for comfort, entertainment, and education.

When five of MASTERPIECE’s shows stopped filming very suddenly due to lockdowns prompted the onset of COVID, Executive Producer Susanne Simpson reached out to distributors and producers to acquire programming that was already finalized or in the editing process. With the foresight to purchase these shows at the beginning of lockdown, MASTERPIECE had already curated an impressive line-up for our 2021-2022 anniversary season before competitive cable networks entered the market.

While some MASTERPIECE productions were delayed by critical safety measures, production has recently resumed in the UK. Expenses have risen, however, due to new COVID safety precautions which limit the number of people on set, require medical monitoring, and necessitate additional preventative measures.

We are grateful for the enduring support of the MASTERPIECE Trust, which makes our work possible. We do hope the series has provided a bit of salve for you on Sunday nights during this trying time.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts

In the wake of the global cry for racial and social justice, MASTERPIECE has confirmed its commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives by actively seeking out diversity in the writing, casting, and production of its programs. This year, executive leadership continued working with our UK partners to prioritize stories that give people of color a voice. We are gratified that our production partners are equally dedicated to highlighting these important stories.

“A lot of people hide behind history. They don’t do the work to uncover characters of people of color. I didn’t take the part in Les Mis because I was trying to support color- blind casting. I took it because I researched it, and found it was realistic to have a Black police officer in France during the time period.” - David Oyelowo (Javert; Les Misérables)

The MASTERPIECE Trust 4 2020 Impact Report MASTERPIECE Behind the Scenes

MASTERPIECE in the Press

“This is still glorious”

“[An] extraordinarily Endeavour Season 7; Observer (UK) affecting series”

World on Fire; The Wall Street Journal “Deftly weaves the strands together”

Roadkill; New York Times “Sure to win the hearts and minds of a new generation”

Van Der Valk; “The perfect recipe…”

Sydney Morning Herald Flesh and Blood; The Guardian

“[An] exquisite production, both beautiful and thoughtful” “Off to a thrillingly Sanditon; chewy start” Vulture Baptiste; “Lavish, sumptuous, The Independent and larger than life”

Beecham House; The Herald (Scotland)

The MASTERPIECE Trust 5 2020 Impact Report New on MASTERPIECE

MASTERPIECE was excited to premiere several new series this past year, including:

Sanditon – An eight-part drama, based on an unfinished Jane Austen novel, Sanditon depicts the drama surrounding a resort town on England’s southern coast. The stirring romance between Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) and Sidney Parker (Theo James) struck a particular chord with audiences. Both enthralling and captivating, Sanditon is truly “a modern Masterpiece.” -CNN

Howards End – Adapted from E.M. Forster's classic novel, this story of England at the turn of the 20th century is told through the lens of three families confronting the ever-changing paradigms of society, class, and welfare.

World on Fire – Bursting onto the entertainment scene, this epic, sweeping war-drama follows an impressive ensemble of characters (led by Academy Award-winner Helen Hunt and Sean Bean) as they navigate the opening salvos of WWII. Already renewed for a second season, World on Fire “is a page-turner of a show.” -The New York Times

Baptiste – Tchéky Karyo returns to his role as Baptiste in a Courtesy of Ben Blackall / © Mammoth Screen 2019 stirring detective tale set in present-day Amsterdam. He is joined by Tom Hollander in this dark, twist-filled spin-off of The Missing.

Beecham House – Written, produced, and directed by Gurinder Chadha, this lush drama set in 19th century Delhi tells the story of ex-soldier John Beecham (Tom Bateman) as he attempts to start a new life after his tenure with the British East India Company.

Van der Valk – In a new adaptation of Nicolas Freeling’s detective novels, the titular Van Der Valk (Marc Warren) investigates high profile cases and gritty murders that immerse him and his team in Amsterdam’s fast-paced worlds of art, politics, addiction, mysticism, and fashion.

Flesh and Blood – Flesh and Blood is a modern day domestic drama boasting a stellar cast (including Francesca Annis, Imelda Staunton and Russell Tovey) and brimming with secrets and scandal.

Roadkill – The incomparable Hugh Laurie (House) stars as the charismatic Peter Laurence in this four-part political thriller penned by acclaimed playwright David Hare. The Courtesy of MASTERPIECE 2020 late Helen McCrory also garnered critical praise for her role as Prime Minister Dawn Ellison, rounding out an enthralling drama set against the highest levels of British government and misbehavior.

The MASTERPIECE Trust 6 2020 Impact Report 2020 Summer of Mystery

MASTERPIECE welcomed back our favorite detectives for a thrilling Summer of Mystery:

Grantchester – The fifth season of this charming series sees Robson Green and Tom Brittney reprise their respective roles as DI Geordie Keating and Reverend Will Davenport to tackle deepening relationships, unexpected secrets and of course, a slew of new cases. Filming for the sixth series is already underway in Cambridgeshire, Hampshire and Hertfordshire.

Endeavour – In Endeavour’s seventh season, the cerebral Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans) and his mentor, Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), enter a new era of change in Oxford amidst the dawn of women’s liberation, social progression, and scientific growth. A ratings boon, Endeavour has solidified its status as one of MASTERPIECE’s most iconic series.

Courtesy of MASTERPIECE Mystery! 2019

New Projects in Development

Magpie Murders – In July 2020, MASTERPIECE shared its plans to co-produce Magpie Murders, an adaptation of the best-selling, critically-acclaimed novel by Anthony Horowitz, OBE. A distinctive and beguiling crime drama scripted by the novelist himself, Magpie Murders follows Susan Ryeland, an editor who is given an unfinished manuscript and must subsequently tread the line between reality and fiction in her quest to uncover the truth. Susanne Simpson states, “Our MASTERPIECE audience will truly enjoy this intriguing story of a mystery within a mystery.”

Ridley Road - In September 2020, MASTERPIECE announced that Ridley Road, a coproduction with RED Production Company and BBC One, had started production. Ridley Road is a thriller adapted from the critically acclaimed novel of the same name, written by Jo Bloom. It brings together an award-winning cast, including Rory Kinnear (The Imitation Game), Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan), and Tom Varey (Game of Thrones). This program follows Vivien Epstein, a young Jewish woman who, after falling in love with a member of the ‘62 Group,’ rejects her comfortable middle-class life in Manchester and joins the fight against fascism in London.

The MASTERPIECE Trust 7 2020 Impact Report Watching MASTERPIECE

Broadcast

• World on Fire reached 3.4 million viewers weekly, and 8.3 million viewers overall • Grantchester Season 5 reached 3.2 million viewers weekly, and 6.9 million viewers overall • Endeavour Season 7 reached 3.1 million viewers weekly, and 5.5 million viewers overall

Digital

• 33.2 million episodes streamed in 2020 (+12%) • 58.0 million pageviews in 2020 (+11%) • 27.2 million website views in 2020 (+13%) • 238,000 YouTube subscribers in 2020 (+16%)

Social Media

MASTERPIECE saw the following audience growth on social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) in 2020:

114,000 followers 836,000 followers

154,000 followers

MASTERPIECE expanded its reach to younger audiences, evidenced by its massive Instagram following, the largest of any primetime PBS series (70% of these followers are under the age of 55).

The MASTERPIECE Trust 8 2020 Impact Report Beyond Broadcast

In 2020, MASTERPIECE implemented myriad digital initiatives to cultivate cross-generational audiences that may elect to view the series on traditional on-air broadcasts and/or streaming services.

As you may know, PBS Distribution (PBSd) operates the PBS MASTERPIECE Prime Video Channel. A Prime video “add-on” feature and auxiliary service to PBS Passport, the MASTERPIECE Channel is an additional avenue through which audiences can stream their favorite British programs. In September, PBSd announced that Canadian viewers would also have access to the channel, effectively bringing to international viewers programs like Poldark, Endeavour and more. MASTERPIECE made six new award-winning titles available for streaming in November, including the newly-released political thriller, Roadkill.

In addition to broadening its reach across viewing platforms, the series also pursued other, innovative opportunities to connect with audiences in the digital space. Throughout the fifth season of Grantchester this past summer, leading man Tom Brittney took over the MASTERPIECE on PBS Instagram account to host a series of live Q&A’s with his Grantchester co-stars. Then, show creator Daisy Coula led the cast (including Tom Brittney (Will Davenport), Robson Green (Geordie Keating), Tessa Peake-Jones (Mrs. Chapman) and Al Weaver (Leonard Finch)) in an a special “Flip the Script” video in which each actor took turns playing different characters while reading through iconic Grantchester scenes.

MASTERPIECE also led an unforgettable All Creatures Great and Small Virtual Screening in December; more than four thousand MASTERPIECE fans escaped to the sweeping, picturesque Yorkshire Dales in Northern England for a sneak peak of the all-new adaptation of James Herriot’s beloved collection of novels. Following the video, cast members Nicholas Ralph, Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Rachel Shenton and Callum Woodhouse, as well as executive producers Susanne Simpson, Colin Callender, and Melissa Gallant fielded questions from the audience.

The MASTERPIECE Trust 9 2020 Impact Report Teaching History with MASTERPIECE

As schools across the nation shift to remote or hybrid teaching models, digital resources for distanced learning are more vital than ever before. To this end, MASTERPIECE has continued to partner with PBS LearningMedia, a service providing free, standards-aligned content for children pre-K-12, to curate a special collection of educational materials.

The MASTERPIECE Collection on PBS LearningMedia features a wide range of videos, activities and interactives tied to the series’ programming (recent additions include World War II paired with clips from World on Fire). Content on the site is broken into two main categories:

English Language Arts resources provide video excerpts from programs like Great Expectations, The Diary of Anne Frank, Little Women, and All Creatures Great and Small, along with author biographies, essays, teaching tips, and more. Using media promotes students’ understanding of and engagement with classic literature, while teaching them to be critical, active media consumers.

Historical Drama resources offer new ways to enhance the teaching of social studies and explore pivotal moments in history. From the aftermath of the French Revolution (Les Misérables) to the unprecedented scope and scale of World War II (World on Fire), these engaging media assets bring to life people, places, and events that have shaped society.

The MASTERPIECE Trust 10 2020 Impact Report MASTERPIECE Awards and Nominations

2020 British Academy Television Awards • Best Actress: Glenda Jackson in her role as Maud Horsham in Elizabeth is Missing • Nomination for Best Single Drama: Elizabeth is Missing

2020 International Emmy Awards • Best Performance by an Actress: Glenda Jackson in her role as Maud Horsham in Elizabeth is Missing

Courtesy of STV Productions

2020 Annual British Television Craft Awards • Nomination for Best Costume Design: Joanna Eatwell for her work on Beecham House

2020 Webby Awards • People’s Voice Winner: MASTERPIECE Studio Podcast

“Best of” Lists: • The Atlantic’s “20 Undersung Crime Shows to Binge-Watch” List: Baptiste • The New York Times’s “20 Shows to Watch this Fall” List: Roadkill • Times’s “The 5 Best New TV Shows Our Critic Watched in September 2020” List: Van der Valk

The MASTERPIECE Trust 11 2020 Impact Report Interviews with MASTERPIECE Leadership

Executive Producer Susanne Simpson was interviewed for a special feature in Drama Quarterly titled: Under the Influence: Susanne Simpson. Susanne Simpson shared details about how her work producing documentaries led to her love of scripted series. Simpson states, “I had known Rebecca Eaton for many years at [GBH] and became interested in drama while I was supervising some drama-docs for science series NOVA, so I started taking a scriptwriting course to learn more…it always comes down to the writing and acting quality. I’m inspired by great art, great literature, and great films.”

Executive Producer-At-Large Rebecca Eaton was featured in an interview conducted by British journalist Anne Diamond for Viking.tv. In this extensive, livestreamed discussion, Rebecca discusses her career and shares many wonderful stories (and photographs!) about working with such stars as Helen Mirren (Prime Suspect), Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock), Dame Diana Rigg (MYSTERY!), and more.

Fond Remembrances

Dame Diana Rigg DBE, an integral member of the MASTERPIECE family, passed away on September 10, 2020 at 82 years old.

From her Emmy Award-winning role in the 1997 adaptation of Rebecca to her time hosting MYSTERY! from 1989-2003, the ever elegant Rigg brought her charm and considerable gravitas to PBS television screens for decades.

“Her elegant introductions made an indelible impression on U.S. audiences,” says Susanne Simpson. “She won an Emmy for her performance in Rebecca, dazzled audiences in Mother Love, Bleak House and in her recent star turn in Victoria…a grande dame of British drama, Diana was one of a kind and we will miss her.”

Rigg’s role as the stylish Mrs. Pumphrey in All Creatures Great and Small is one of her very last. We fondly remember Dame Diana Rigg’s tremendous work and are humbled by her everlasting legacy, which is inextricably woven into MASTERPIECE history.

The MASTERPIECE Trust 12 2020 Impact Report MASTERPIECE’s 50th Year

In January 2021, MASTERPIECE celebrated 50 years of bringing sterling adaptations and original dramas to American audiences. On October 15, 2020, the series unveiled its full 50th anniversary- season program line-up, featuring Glenda Jackson’s BAFTA-winning performance in Elizabeth is Missing, a heartwarming new adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small, and A Long Song, a three-part miniseries about the end of slavery in Jamaica. We will continue to honor our 50th anniversary throughout the 2021 season.

“Fifty years in, MASTERPIECE’s remains the true home for acting royalty,” says EP Susanne Simpson. “Whether it’s elegant costume dramas, addictive mysteries, or edgy contemporary programs that appeal to an audience of streamers, we have stunning new shows for our anniversary year.” We do hope that you have been enjoying MASTERPIECE’s special slate of programming in 2021. We look forward to continuing to share all of the golden moments in MASTERPIECE’s unforgettable 50th anniversary season.

Thank you!

Perhaps now more than at any other time in recent memory, MASTERPIECE’s mission to offer widely-accessible drama and entertainment has taken on unprecedented importance and urgency.

We are ever grateful for your wonderful commitment to series; we simply could not have gotten this far without your unwavering support and belief in the work that we do, especially during these challenging times. All of us at MASTERPIECE express our sincerest appreciation - thank you!

The MASTERPIECE Trust 13 2020 Impact Report