Stephenson said: “Drama and the BBC are inseparable – it is written through the BBC like a stick of rock. No other broadcaster in the world has drama so firmly in its DNA.”

He signalled the dawning of a new era of ambition with the arrival of a new Director General , adding: “Lord Hall and I have had early talks about the BBC as a cultural organisation with an international reputation, one to make us proud and that strengthens our creative muscles. I want to make BBC drama a cultural institution – a touchstone for quality and modernity with all the excitement and glamour of a curtain going up.”

He continued: “My aim is to build a BBC drama department that has an enormous international reputation. That means making us more British than ever – it is about applying the Danny Boyle vision to our work – a bold, adventurous, authorial approach that exports because of its Britishness not despite it. A BBC that feels inspiringly creative – where there is a buzz and creativity and anything goes optimism.”

Stephenson closed the event by stating: “Ultimately I can boil this down to one thing – I want to make the BBC the hall mark of quality drama and the automatic home for the best talent in the world.”

Death Comes to Pemberley is a 3 x 60 minute serial, written by Juliette Towhidi (Calendar Girls) and made by Origin Pictures for BBC One.

Adapted from P.D James’ international bestselling novel in this 200th anniversary year of the first publication of ‘Pride & Prejudice’, P.D James’ remarkably inventive homage to Austen brings the much-loved world to life in a dazzling and original way. Set six years after ‘Pride & Prejudice’ ends and centering on Austen’s best-known characters, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, the three-parter combines classic period drama with a highly suspenseful and brilliantly crafted murder mystery plot.

The executive producers for Origin Pictures are David Thompson and Ed Rubin. The executive producer for the BBC is Polly Hill.