Edward Bazalgette

Ed Bazalgette was a British television director who in 2015 helmed several episodes of the popular historical drama series "Poldark" (BBC One, 2015-), as well as the long-running science fiction drama "Dr. Who" (BBC One, 1963-). Born and raised in England, Bazalgette took a rather unlikely path to television stardom. His first love was music, and in 1979 he, along with three of his mates formed the British pop band called The Vapors. In 1980 the group released the album New Clear Days which included the hit single "Turning Japanese." The catchy song instantly became a Top 40 hit in the U.S., and additionally landed on the Top 10 in England and Canada. Despite its massive success, however, The Vapors were never able to build on the song's popularity by producing a follow-up hit. By 1983 the bandmembers had decided to go their separate ways. Despite having his music career disintegrate, Bazalgette was still determined to make something of himself in the entertainment industry. He soon turned his attention to television, and by the early 2000s was directing documentaries for the BBC like "Seven Wonders of the Industrial World" (2003) and "Genghis Khan" (2005). His TV directing career hit its stride in the late 2000s, with directing credits on several episodes of "EastEnders" (BBC One, 1985-), "Top Gear" (BBC Two, 2002-), and the BBC medical drama "Holby City" (1999-). Bazalgette's big break came in 2015 when he helmed several episodes of the historical series "Poldark," as well as several episodes of "Dr. Who."