Screen stars and stalwarts are honoured at television awards
Stars of the region’s TV industry have been honoured at the Royal Television Society North East.
It came as Sunderland looks set to become a major film and TV-making hub, with huge plans for studios and other facilities in the city.
Vera, parts of which have been filmed in Sunderland, won Best Drama and Wire in the Blood actor Robson Green was recognised for his decades of service, with the 58-year-old star of Granchester and Tales from Northumberland receiving the Outstanding Contribution Award.
The Northumberlandbased actor, producer and presenter was described as a "tireless champion of TV production celebrating the North East of England" at the awards on Saturday, February 27.
In a long career, which has also seen him top the charts with his Soldier Soldier costar Jerome Flynn, Robson has found success as both an actor and more recently as a presenter of factual shows such as Extreme Fishing.
His latest series for BBC2 Robson Green's Weekend Escapes was co-produced by his production company Rivers Meet Productions with ITV Signpost.
Accepting the award during a visit to Australia, he said: "This award means so much to me.
"As an actor, I've helped tell stories. But as a presenter of documentaries I can be me.
"I'm so proud of the team behind this latest series of Weekend Escapes.
"It showcases the North East but also the behind-thescenes talent."
Other winners at the annual event, hosted by comedian and Hebburn screenwriter Jason Cook and CBBC's longrunning saga The Dumping Ground (Best Children's).
Gateshead-born actor Justin McDonald won the Best Performance in a Drama prize for the short film Fist.
A BBC4 documentary hosted by musician Sam Fender – Lindisfarne's Geordie Genius (The Alan Hull Story) – picked up the award for Best Factual.
And the Rising Star award went to Anna Costello, the former secondary school teacher who emerged from the BBC Writers Room with scripts including the comedydrama Dead Canny (UKTV).
The programme has already had a number of successes connecting comedy writing and performing talent with commissioners and producers.
The recent BBC Comedy Festival was one of a series of events to showcase North East humour.
Royal Television Society North East chairman and University of Sunderland Pro Vice-Chancellor Graeme Thompson said: "There's real momentum right now in the region's screen and production sector.
"Broadcasters and commissioners are waking up to the unique appeal of the North East and Cumbria as locations to tell universal stories.”
The work of student filmmakers was celebrated with awards going to University of Sunderland (Best Entertainment for SU Dance Team), Newcastle University (Best Factual for To Challah on the Table), Northern School of Art (Best Drama for Boulder and Pebble), University of Cumbria (Best Environmental for Fox, Friend or Foe) and Teesside University (Best Animation for Monster Banquet)