SBS names Bethan Arwel-Lewis as commissioning editor of factual

SBS has appointed Bethan Arwel-Lewis as commissioning editor of factual, joining SBS’ Unscripted commissioning team on 16 January. 

As commissioning editor of factual, she’ll commission and oversee delivery of innovative, engaging, entertaining and distinctive content for SBS, exploring the diversity of contemporary, multicultural Australiaas SBS prepares to deliver its biggest ever locally commissioned original program offering across the network in 2023. 

Arwel-Lewis brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, having worked on a diverse range of projects for major networks in Australia including SBS, ABC and Seven, and in the UK with Channel 4 and the BBC.  

Her career has included a number of senior production roles working with leading production companies, across a host of award-winning documentary series and factual formats. 

Arwel-Lewis comes to SBS most recently from Southern Pictures where she was series producer on the AACTA Award winning documentary series, Miriam Margolyes: Australia Unmasked (ABC). 

Among the other award-winning projects she has series produced are Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds (Endemol Shine for the ABC) and Murder in the Outback: The Falconio and Lees Mystery (Cordell Jigsaw for Seven and Channel 4). She was also series producer for SBS’s Look Me in the Eye, and prior to coming to Australia, worked with the Welsh language broadcaster S4C.  

Joseph Maxwell, head of SBS unscripted, said: “We’re so thrilled to have Bethan joining the team, bringing her extensive experience, creativity and natural flair for authentic storytelling to our unscripted offering at SBS.  

“Having worked across such a diverse collection of distinctive and award-winning series, both here in Australia and in the UK, Bethan’s got a track record of stories that connect with audiences and, coupled with her passion for the work we do at SBS, will be a great asset as we continue to explore new ways to surprise and delight Australians through our original factual programming.”    

Arwel-Lewis said: "SBS is renowned for its distinctive documentaries and factual series which have shown to have the power to provoke meaningful debate and trigger change, something I am very passionate about.  

“It’s a privilege to be able to play a role in sharing these important stories with Australians, and I’m looking forward to working with this respected team as we engage audiences with programs that challenge, explore and celebrate contemporary Australia."