Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Matthew Robinson is a British-Cambodian television director and producer who, since 1966, has worked on a wide range of productions including drama series, plays, science-fiction, soaps and children's television. He was brought up in Huntingdon and, after graduating from King's College, Cambridge University with a degree in Economics, became a researcher for ATV (Associated Television). He then moved to BBC TV working on current affairs programmes such as The Money Programme (1966) and Nationwide (1969). He would progress to establishing himself as a prolific director of drama series and soap operas. His work on Coronation Street (1960), Emmerdale Farm (1972), Brookside (1982), Howards' Way (1985) and EastEnders (1985), as well as writing episodes of Crossroads (1964), earned him the tabloid nickname "The Pope of Soap".

After a number of years of directing drama productions, plays and soaps, he then tried his hand at directing science-fiction when John Nathan-Turner appointed him to direct both Daleks and Cybermen in Doctor Who (1963). Robinson directed the notoriously difficult to direct Daleks in Resurrection of the Daleks: Part One (1984), starring Peter Davison as the Doctor, and then a year later he returned to direct a new Doctor, Colin Baker, in Attack of the Cybermen: Part One (1985). Although science-fiction was not an area Robinson had previous experience in, these episodes proved nevertheless successful, with Robinson helping to bring enough visual style, tension, drama and pace to make them a couple of the most exciting adventures from that period of the series. On the strength of these it was hoped that he would return to direct a third adventure, "The Nightmare Fair", but this story was cancelled before going into production.

Robinson was an influential figure in the early days of the BBC soap EastEnders (1985), working closely with the show's creator, Julia Smith, in the casting of the actors from the outset and directing the early episodes. Robinson also brought Leslie Grantham to the series, an actor he had previously worked with on Doctor Who (1963).

By the end of the 1980s, Robinson began to concentrate on producing rather than directing. He had a great success with the long-running children's drama Byker Grove (1989), a series which aimed to bring important issues to the attention of its young audience. After Byker Grove (1989), Robinson returned to EastEnders (1985) to become executive producer from 1998 until 2000. In 2000 he became Head of Drama for BBC Wales, helping to establish its reputation as the BBC's new home for its drama programmes.

Never afraid of a fresh challenge, after three years at BBC Wales he brought his enormous experience in British television to tackling the social problems of Cambodia with the series Taste of Life (2004). Made by the BBC World Service Trust, the series attempted to provide important health messages, particularly regarding issues such as HIV/AIDS, but doing it with entertaining stories that would engage the audience. It is estimated that more than half the population watched the series.

Following his success with Taste of Life (2004), Robinson stayed in Cambodia and in 2006 established his own film and TV production company, KMF (Khmer Mekong Films). KMF has since produced hundreds of hours of TV drama for local channels, and 10 feature films in the Khmer language.

In 2020, on the recommendation of Cambodia's Minister of Culture, Robinson was awarded Cambodian Citizenship by Prime Minister Samdach Hun Sen.

(2002) Provided a commentary for the <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/title/tt0056751/?ref_=nmwrk">Doctor Who (1963)</a> DVD &quot;Resurrection of the Daleks&quot;.

(1981 - 1983) Wrote two plays about television - Did Anyone Else Think TK9 Was Brilliant? and SUDS - staged in London fringe theatre.

(September 4, 2021) Appeared as a guest at Whooverville 12 at The Quad, Derby, England.

Other works

Matthew Robinson

Contribute to this page

More from this person

More to explore

Recently viewed