‘Clarkson’s Farm’ First-Look & S3 Release Date Unveiled
Amazon Prime Video has unveiled images and a May release date for the upcoming Clarkson’s Farm. Pics show the ever-controversial host return to his Diddly Squat farm with compatriots facing daunting challenges. The crops are failing in the severe hot weather, inflation has driven prices of supplies sky high, dreams for the beloved restaurant are dashed and the farm shop also faces closure. Clarkson needs to come up with creative new ways of making ends meet, while someone new arrives to Diddly Squat, which puts Kaleb’s nose out of joint. The series will launch on May 3 and an image can be seen above. Controversy has surrounded the show since Grand Tour host Clarkson’s vitriolic Meghan Markle rant in The Sun, but a fourth season was confirmed several weeks ago despite reports that it had been canceled over the Markle tirade. Earlier this week,...
Amazon Prime Video has unveiled images and a May release date for the upcoming Clarkson’s Farm. Pics show the ever-controversial host return to his Diddly Squat farm with compatriots facing daunting challenges. The crops are failing in the severe hot weather, inflation has driven prices of supplies sky high, dreams for the beloved restaurant are dashed and the farm shop also faces closure. Clarkson needs to come up with creative new ways of making ends meet, while someone new arrives to Diddly Squat, which puts Kaleb’s nose out of joint. The series will launch on May 3 and an image can be seen above. Controversy has surrounded the show since Grand Tour host Clarkson’s vitriolic Meghan Markle rant in The Sun, but a fourth season was confirmed several weeks ago despite reports that it had been canceled over the Markle tirade. Earlier this week,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
How To Watch U.S. Open In Europe
Warner Bros. Discovery Europe has revealed that it will air every match from this year’s U.S. Open on Eurosport and Discovery+ across 45 markets.
As tennis fans gear up for the final Grand Slam, taking place at Flushing Meadows in New York City, they will be able to stream the tournament live and on-demand. In addition, viewers in the Nordics will have access to free-to-air coverage centered on players representing Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
On-site coverage will be led by former U.S. Open champions John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, alongside Alex Corretja and Barbara Schett. Justine Henin will also provide her insight from Paris.
“This year marks the first of our renewed and long-term partnership with the Usta which enables us to bring our passion for tennis, deep sports expertise and industry-leading production to the US Open, a tournament...
Warner Bros. Discovery Europe has revealed that it will air every match from this year’s U.S. Open on Eurosport and Discovery+ across 45 markets.
As tennis fans gear up for the final Grand Slam, taking place at Flushing Meadows in New York City, they will be able to stream the tournament live and on-demand. In addition, viewers in the Nordics will have access to free-to-air coverage centered on players representing Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
On-site coverage will be led by former U.S. Open champions John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, alongside Alex Corretja and Barbara Schett. Justine Henin will also provide her insight from Paris.
“This year marks the first of our renewed and long-term partnership with the Usta which enables us to bring our passion for tennis, deep sports expertise and industry-leading production to the US Open, a tournament...
- 8/21/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has shown serious commitment to teen drama Waterloo Road by putting in a double-series order.
Returning earlier this year after eight years off air, the show’s second season has already been filmed, meaning that three new seasons are now on their way. Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North produce Waterloo Road out of Manchester.
The show follows goings-on in a school in the north of England and was a huge hit between 2006 and 2015, before old episodes began amassing big numbers on iPlayer during lockdown. The BBC said Waterloo Road remains especially popular on iPlayer, where it is in the top three most-watched titles of the year so far for 16-34 year olds, alongside Happy Valley and EastEnders. Double-series orders are rare at the BBC and tend to be reserved for long runners such as Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.
“It’s been a...
Returning earlier this year after eight years off air, the show’s second season has already been filmed, meaning that three new seasons are now on their way. Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North produce Waterloo Road out of Manchester.
The show follows goings-on in a school in the north of England and was a huge hit between 2006 and 2015, before old episodes began amassing big numbers on iPlayer during lockdown. The BBC said Waterloo Road remains especially popular on iPlayer, where it is in the top three most-watched titles of the year so far for 16-34 year olds, alongside Happy Valley and EastEnders. Double-series orders are rare at the BBC and tend to be reserved for long runners such as Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise.
“It’s been a...
- 8/21/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Liaison’ Producer Ringside Studios Hires ‘Industry’ Exec
British drama house Ringside Studios has hired Industry and No Escape exec Lee Thomas. He’ll work alongside company founder Gub Neal and Kate Bennetts on Ringside Studios projects and others from investment arm Ringside Media. He’ll also continue to develop his own projects, with Ringside set to produce. Thomas is coming off of No Escape, the Paramount+ thriller series shot in Thailand. His credits also include season one of HBO and BBC drama Industry and ITV true crime series White House Farm. He has produced Shola Amoo’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize-nominated drama feature The Last Tree through his Prodigal label and produced an Oscar-nominated short, The Voorman Problem, which is based on an extract from David Mitchell novel Number9Dream. Ringside Studios, a joint venture between Neal and Newen Content, recently produced Apple TV+ series Liaison, a UK-France co-production starring Eva Green and Vincent Cassel.
British drama house Ringside Studios has hired Industry and No Escape exec Lee Thomas. He’ll work alongside company founder Gub Neal and Kate Bennetts on Ringside Studios projects and others from investment arm Ringside Media. He’ll also continue to develop his own projects, with Ringside set to produce. Thomas is coming off of No Escape, the Paramount+ thriller series shot in Thailand. His credits also include season one of HBO and BBC drama Industry and ITV true crime series White House Farm. He has produced Shola Amoo’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize-nominated drama feature The Last Tree through his Prodigal label and produced an Oscar-nominated short, The Voorman Problem, which is based on an extract from David Mitchell novel Number9Dream. Ringside Studios, a joint venture between Neal and Newen Content, recently produced Apple TV+ series Liaison, a UK-France co-production starring Eva Green and Vincent Cassel.
- 6/29/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Appointments
Sweden-based Embracer Group, the new owners of Middle Earth Enterprises – the holding company that owns “The Lord of the Rings” among other J.R.R. Tolkien titles – has appointed Careen Yapp to the newly created position of chief strategic partnerships officer. Yapp will serve as part of the group executive management team that also includes Lars Wingefors, CEO, Johan Ekström, CFO and deputy CEO and Ian Gulam, chief of staff, legal and governance.
Yapp will be responsible for aligning strategic group partnership objectives with each operative group to drive group-wide results and work together with the executive management team and the operative groups to shape group partnerships, lead business development at group level as well as drive business synergies and collaborations across the group.
Yapp joins Embracer Group from Google Stadia where she led the strategic direction and pursuit of global content partnerships for Stadia and entry point partnerships for Immersive Stream for Games.
Sweden-based Embracer Group, the new owners of Middle Earth Enterprises – the holding company that owns “The Lord of the Rings” among other J.R.R. Tolkien titles – has appointed Careen Yapp to the newly created position of chief strategic partnerships officer. Yapp will serve as part of the group executive management team that also includes Lars Wingefors, CEO, Johan Ekström, CFO and deputy CEO and Ian Gulam, chief of staff, legal and governance.
Yapp will be responsible for aligning strategic group partnership objectives with each operative group to drive group-wide results and work together with the executive management team and the operative groups to shape group partnerships, lead business development at group level as well as drive business synergies and collaborations across the group.
Yapp joins Embracer Group from Google Stadia where she led the strategic direction and pursuit of global content partnerships for Stadia and entry point partnerships for Immersive Stream for Games.
- 1/31/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
eOne Making TV Adaptation Of Janice Hallet’s ‘The Twyford Code’
eOne is prepping an adaptation of Janice Hallett’s The Twyford Code – the first fruits of the studio’s deal with BAFTA-winning writer-director Paul Andrew Williams. The book is written via automatic transcriptions of recordings made by a former prisoner determined to discover what happened to his teacher. eOne will co-produce with former Sky Studios drama boss Cameron Roach’s Rope Ladder Fiction, with Williams directing and eOne handling global rights. “Janice Hallett’s ingenious second novel has rightly gained a fanbase of epic proportions,” said Sharon Hughff, eOne’s Creative Director, Scripted Television, UK. Deadline revealed eOne’s deal with Williams last year and the Broadchurch director is forging scripted TV shows for all platforms.
Gary Neville Takes ‘The Overlap On Tour’ For Sky Max
English footballer turned pundit Gary Neville is taking his YouTube series The Overlap...
eOne is prepping an adaptation of Janice Hallett’s The Twyford Code – the first fruits of the studio’s deal with BAFTA-winning writer-director Paul Andrew Williams. The book is written via automatic transcriptions of recordings made by a former prisoner determined to discover what happened to his teacher. eOne will co-produce with former Sky Studios drama boss Cameron Roach’s Rope Ladder Fiction, with Williams directing and eOne handling global rights. “Janice Hallett’s ingenious second novel has rightly gained a fanbase of epic proportions,” said Sharon Hughff, eOne’s Creative Director, Scripted Television, UK. Deadline revealed eOne’s deal with Williams last year and the Broadchurch director is forging scripted TV shows for all platforms.
Gary Neville Takes ‘The Overlap On Tour’ For Sky Max
English footballer turned pundit Gary Neville is taking his YouTube series The Overlap...
- 1/31/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving.
Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving Sky Studios, Screen’s sister site Broadcast has learned.
It is believed all three have irons in the fire in terms of new roles, though the details are not known.
The trio follow Preethi Mavahalli out of the pay-tv provider’s drama department, who joined Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen earlier this week.
Lewin and Wilkie-Sweeney resigned over the summer, while Silver’s departure was communicated to staff earlier this week.
Sky Studio...
Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving Sky Studios, Screen’s sister site Broadcast has learned.
It is believed all three have irons in the fire in terms of new roles, though the details are not known.
The trio follow Preethi Mavahalli out of the pay-tv provider’s drama department, who joined Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen earlier this week.
Lewin and Wilkie-Sweeney resigned over the summer, while Silver’s departure was communicated to staff earlier this week.
Sky Studio...
- 9/23/2022
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
I Hate Suzie star Billie Piper’s back injury will have no impact on filming of the BAFTA-winning show’s second season, as the incident took place during a post-filming promotional shoot.
I Hate Suzie network Sky and Piper’s reps have clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the fall sustained during a Strictly Come Dancing-style scene happened after filming on season two, titled I Hate Suzie Too, had wrapped. The season will air later this year on Sky and U.S. co-producer HBO Max.
Piper, who stars as Suzy Pickles in the eight-parter and also created with Lucy Prebble, was taken to hospital late yesterday UK time after injuring her back during the promotional shoot.
The first season of I Hate Suzie from His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf and Sky Studios was nominated for three BAFTAs including for Piper, Best Drama Series and co-star Leila Farzad.
The show follows Pickles,...
I Hate Suzie network Sky and Piper’s reps have clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the fall sustained during a Strictly Come Dancing-style scene happened after filming on season two, titled I Hate Suzie Too, had wrapped. The season will air later this year on Sky and U.S. co-producer HBO Max.
Piper, who stars as Suzy Pickles in the eight-parter and also created with Lucy Prebble, was taken to hospital late yesterday UK time after injuring her back during the promotional shoot.
The first season of I Hate Suzie from His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf and Sky Studios was nominated for three BAFTAs including for Piper, Best Drama Series and co-star Leila Farzad.
The show follows Pickles,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios has hired CBS Studios international co-pros chief Meghan Lyvers as it seeks to significantly scale up its original UK drama output.
Lyvers will become Director of Original Drama, UK & Ireland — a new role that will see her have oversight of all premium original dramas commissioned and produced at the Gangs of London and Chernobyl company, which is Sky’s original programming arm in Europe. She is set to join in late summer in the UK.
Lyvers team will include Gabriel Silver, who was upped to Director of Drama Commissioning last year and will continue to lead on commissioned Sky Original drama projects such as the upcoming The Lazarus Project and The Baby, and Preethi Mavahalli, who joined earlier this year from Mammoth Screen as Creative Director.
Silver and Mavahalli have been overseeing Sky Studios’ drama output in the wake of former Director of Drama Cameron Roach’s exit,...
Lyvers will become Director of Original Drama, UK & Ireland — a new role that will see her have oversight of all premium original dramas commissioned and produced at the Gangs of London and Chernobyl company, which is Sky’s original programming arm in Europe. She is set to join in late summer in the UK.
Lyvers team will include Gabriel Silver, who was upped to Director of Drama Commissioning last year and will continue to lead on commissioned Sky Original drama projects such as the upcoming The Lazarus Project and The Baby, and Preethi Mavahalli, who joined earlier this year from Mammoth Screen as Creative Director.
Silver and Mavahalli have been overseeing Sky Studios’ drama output in the wake of former Director of Drama Cameron Roach’s exit,...
- 6/8/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Tom Hollander Starring In Billie August Post-wwii Drama ‘Me, You’
The Night Manager and Gosford Park star Tom Hollander has landed a lead role in Billie August coming of age post-World War II drama feature Me, You. Adapted from Erri De Luca’s novel Tu, Mio, it also has Daisy Jacob (National Theatre Live: The Hard Problem) and Alessandr Gassman (Transporter 2) attached and will begin principle photography in Ischia, Italy in September. The plot follows teenage boy Marco, who sails the tranquil seas around Naples with a hardened fisherman. Marco falls love with an enigmatic girl, Caia, whose painful past fuels a ferocious resentment in him, setting off alarm bells. August is directing, with Greg Latter writing the screenplay. Brilliant Pictures’ Sean O’Kelly and Marc Bikindou are producing along with Cristaldi Pics’ Mark Hammond. Hollander is represented by Anonymous Content in the US...
The Night Manager and Gosford Park star Tom Hollander has landed a lead role in Billie August coming of age post-World War II drama feature Me, You. Adapted from Erri De Luca’s novel Tu, Mio, it also has Daisy Jacob (National Theatre Live: The Hard Problem) and Alessandr Gassman (Transporter 2) attached and will begin principle photography in Ischia, Italy in September. The plot follows teenage boy Marco, who sails the tranquil seas around Naples with a hardened fisherman. Marco falls love with an enigmatic girl, Caia, whose painful past fuels a ferocious resentment in him, setting off alarm bells. August is directing, with Greg Latter writing the screenplay. Brilliant Pictures’ Sean O’Kelly and Marc Bikindou are producing along with Cristaldi Pics’ Mark Hammond. Hollander is represented by Anonymous Content in the US...
- 5/24/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The participants identify as disabled, from minority ethnic or low-socioeconomic backgrounds.
Bafta has selected 20 producers from under-represented backgrounds to receive support and access to networking and career opportunities on its two-year Elevate scheme.
The selected producers include Ameenah Ayub Allen, a 2018 Screen Star of Tomorrow who produced Bafta winner Rocks.
The cohort was selected by a panel of industry experts led by Nahrein Kemp and including Annabel Jones, Cameron Roach, Fozia Khan, and Marcus Ryder.
The producers will be supported by a variety of industry consultants that include Dark Pictures producer and previous Screen star of tomorrow Yaw Basoah.
This...
Bafta has selected 20 producers from under-represented backgrounds to receive support and access to networking and career opportunities on its two-year Elevate scheme.
The selected producers include Ameenah Ayub Allen, a 2018 Screen Star of Tomorrow who produced Bafta winner Rocks.
The cohort was selected by a panel of industry experts led by Nahrein Kemp and including Annabel Jones, Cameron Roach, Fozia Khan, and Marcus Ryder.
The producers will be supported by a variety of industry consultants that include Dark Pictures producer and previous Screen star of tomorrow Yaw Basoah.
This...
- 5/24/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Formula 1 Finale Goes Terrestrial
Sky has inked a deal with Channel 4 for Sky Sports’ live coverage of the Formula 1 season finale to also air on the free to air channel this Sunday. Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of history – victory in Abu Dhabi would clinch an unprecedented eighth world title. The Brit is currently on equal points with adversary Max Verstappen. Sky is billing the race as ‘Lewis v Max: Decider in the Desert’. Earlier this year Channel 4 struck a lucrative deal with Amazon to share the streamer’s coverage of the US Open featuring Brit Emma Raducanu and the broadcaster also secured the Cricket World Cup final from Sky. The F1 deal is likely to be a similarly costly pact. Stephen van Rooyen, EVP & CEO UK & Europe Sky said: “Sunday’s Grand Prix is one of the biggest sporting events in the last decade, and could...
Sky has inked a deal with Channel 4 for Sky Sports’ live coverage of the Formula 1 season finale to also air on the free to air channel this Sunday. Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of history – victory in Abu Dhabi would clinch an unprecedented eighth world title. The Brit is currently on equal points with adversary Max Verstappen. Sky is billing the race as ‘Lewis v Max: Decider in the Desert’. Earlier this year Channel 4 struck a lucrative deal with Amazon to share the streamer’s coverage of the US Open featuring Brit Emma Raducanu and the broadcaster also secured the Cricket World Cup final from Sky. The F1 deal is likely to be a similarly costly pact. Stephen van Rooyen, EVP & CEO UK & Europe Sky said: “Sunday’s Grand Prix is one of the biggest sporting events in the last decade, and could...
- 12/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Dance Monsters and Sexy Beasts producer Lime Pictures and stablemate Lion TV have unveiled grand international unscripted ambitions and hired former Shine development boss Jonathan Meenagh to help with the push.
Lime, which also produces The Only Way Is Essex, Hollyoaks and Netflix kids drama Free Rein, is in the latter stages of production on Netflix format Dance Monsters and MDs Kate Little and Claire Poyser revealed to Deadline they are in the works on two further formats scheduled to air on US networks next year, as the indie takes advantage of the UK unscripted boom.
“The UK is the biggest exporter of formats globally and for a while now we’ve underperformed in terms of making the most of our brilliant format development teams,” said Poyser. “The real focus now is on the global audience.”
Airing next year, Dance Monsters, which comes from Sarah Tyekiff’s unscripted department,...
Lime, which also produces The Only Way Is Essex, Hollyoaks and Netflix kids drama Free Rein, is in the latter stages of production on Netflix format Dance Monsters and MDs Kate Little and Claire Poyser revealed to Deadline they are in the works on two further formats scheduled to air on US networks next year, as the indie takes advantage of the UK unscripted boom.
“The UK is the biggest exporter of formats globally and for a while now we’ve underperformed in terms of making the most of our brilliant format development teams,” said Poyser. “The real focus now is on the global audience.”
Airing next year, Dance Monsters, which comes from Sarah Tyekiff’s unscripted department,...
- 10/20/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Constantin Inks Rtl Licensing Deal
German mini-major Constantin Film has inked a multi-year licensing deal with local TV giant Rtl that covers exclusive free-tv and streaming rights for all of Constantin’s theatrical productions. The pact covers all of the producer’s in-house and co-productions that begin filming from January 1. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. The deal will cover upcoming titles from filmmakers such as Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil), David Wnendt (Look Who’s Back), Til Schweiger (Rabbit Without Ears), and Doris Dörrie (Cherry Blossoms). Among highlights is the new film from Bora Dagtekin, whose Suck Me Shakespeer school comedy trilogy is the most successful German-language franchise of the last decade. Constantin and Rtl have previously partnered on films and series including limited series The Allegation, comedy Weil wir Champions sind (Because We’re Champions), and Strafe (Punishment).
Zinc Appoints Former Shine TV MD
UK factual outfit...
German mini-major Constantin Film has inked a multi-year licensing deal with local TV giant Rtl that covers exclusive free-tv and streaming rights for all of Constantin’s theatrical productions. The pact covers all of the producer’s in-house and co-productions that begin filming from January 1. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. The deal will cover upcoming titles from filmmakers such as Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil), David Wnendt (Look Who’s Back), Til Schweiger (Rabbit Without Ears), and Doris Dörrie (Cherry Blossoms). Among highlights is the new film from Bora Dagtekin, whose Suck Me Shakespeer school comedy trilogy is the most successful German-language franchise of the last decade. Constantin and Rtl have previously partnered on films and series including limited series The Allegation, comedy Weil wir Champions sind (Because We’re Champions), and Strafe (Punishment).
Zinc Appoints Former Shine TV MD
UK factual outfit...
- 9/23/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky’s outgoing director of drama Cameron Roach has launched Rope Ladder Fiction, a Manchester-based independent production company.
The company’s focus will be on providing training and development opportunities to new talent and to create scripted content. It is already working with some of the industry’s most prolific broadcasters and commissioners on a range of projects, with the aim of production commencing in 2022.
Rope Ladder Fiction will also build upon Roach’s first solo project, curating Flip the Script, a training program to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors in the U.K.’s Northwest run by social enterprise Sharp Futures.
Roach began his career in script and series editing on long-running drama series such as “Casualty,” before landing his first producing job on season 6 of the hit prison drama “Bad Girls” for Shed Productions. He went on to produce two seasons of “Footballers’ Wives.”
He joined...
The company’s focus will be on providing training and development opportunities to new talent and to create scripted content. It is already working with some of the industry’s most prolific broadcasters and commissioners on a range of projects, with the aim of production commencing in 2022.
Rope Ladder Fiction will also build upon Roach’s first solo project, curating Flip the Script, a training program to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors in the U.K.’s Northwest run by social enterprise Sharp Futures.
Roach began his career in script and series editing on long-running drama series such as “Casualty,” before landing his first producing job on season 6 of the hit prison drama “Bad Girls” for Shed Productions. He went on to produce two seasons of “Footballers’ Wives.”
He joined...
- 9/16/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Cameron Roach, Sky’s outgoing director of drama, is launching Rope Ladder Fiction, a Manchester-based indie production company with a focus on providing training and development opportunities to new talent.
The company will look to create scripted content alongside industry partners and said “outreach and innovation” will be its core principles. Rope Ladder Fiction will build upon Roach’s first solo project, Flip The Script, a training program that provides 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors in the UK’s North West region, run by social enterprise Sharp Features.
Roach’s new company is currently working on a raft of projects with broadcasters and aims to begin production on them in 2022.
“Rope Ladder Fiction is being established to encourage a focus on new talent in all craft areas whilst also working with industry partners to innovate and create entertaining, provocative, quality drama,” said Roach. “We hope to evolve a true...
The company will look to create scripted content alongside industry partners and said “outreach and innovation” will be its core principles. Rope Ladder Fiction will build upon Roach’s first solo project, Flip The Script, a training program that provides 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors in the UK’s North West region, run by social enterprise Sharp Features.
Roach’s new company is currently working on a raft of projects with broadcasters and aims to begin production on them in 2022.
“Rope Ladder Fiction is being established to encourage a focus on new talent in all craft areas whilst also working with industry partners to innovate and create entertaining, provocative, quality drama,” said Roach. “We hope to evolve a true...
- 9/16/2021
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Cameron Roach, who stepped down as director of drama at Comcast-owned Sky earlier this year, is going it alone, having set up his own production company.
Rope Ladder Fiction, unveiled Thursday, is a Manchester-based independent banner with a focus on providing training and development opportunities to new talent. It launches with development funding from both Sky Studios and the BBC.
The company aims to start production on its first project in 2022, but will also build on Roach’s first outing since leaving Sky, curating Flip the Script, a training program to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors ...
Rope Ladder Fiction, unveiled Thursday, is a Manchester-based independent banner with a focus on providing training and development opportunities to new talent. It launches with development funding from both Sky Studios and the BBC.
The company aims to start production on its first project in 2022, but will also build on Roach’s first outing since leaving Sky, curating Flip the Script, a training program to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors ...
- 9/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cameron Roach, who stepped down as director of drama at Comcast-owned Sky earlier this year, is going it alone, having set up his own production company.
Rope Ladder Fiction, unveiled on Thursday, is a Manchester-based independent banner with a focus on providing training and development opportunities to new talent. It launches with development funding from both Sky Studios and the BBC.
The company aims to start production on its first project in 2022, but will also build on Roach’s first outing since leaving Sky, curating Flip the Script, a training program to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script ...
Rope Ladder Fiction, unveiled on Thursday, is a Manchester-based independent banner with a focus on providing training and development opportunities to new talent. It launches with development funding from both Sky Studios and the BBC.
The company aims to start production on its first project in 2022, but will also build on Roach’s first outing since leaving Sky, curating Flip the Script, a training program to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script ...
- 9/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
HBO Max has released a trailer for “Hacks,” an original series debuting on May 13.
The ten-episode season follows the dark relationship between a legendary Las Vegas comedian and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder star alongside Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Paul W. Downs, Mark Indelicato, Poppy Liu, Johnny Sibilly, Meg Stalter and Rose Abdoo.
“Hacks” is created and showrun by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. Downs, Aniello and Statsky executive produce alongside Michael Schur, David Miner and Morgan Sackett. The studio is Universal Television.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV Plus have announced that Elliot Page will be featured on the next episode of “The Oprah Conversation,” debuting April 30. “The Oprah Conversation: Elliot Page” will present a deeply honest conversation with the actor, producer and lifelong social justice advocate. In a time when the rights of transgender...
The ten-episode season follows the dark relationship between a legendary Las Vegas comedian and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder star alongside Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Paul W. Downs, Mark Indelicato, Poppy Liu, Johnny Sibilly, Meg Stalter and Rose Abdoo.
“Hacks” is created and showrun by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. Downs, Aniello and Statsky executive produce alongside Michael Schur, David Miner and Morgan Sackett. The studio is Universal Television.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
Dates
Oprah Winfrey and Apple TV Plus have announced that Elliot Page will be featured on the next episode of “The Oprah Conversation,” debuting April 30. “The Oprah Conversation: Elliot Page” will present a deeply honest conversation with the actor, producer and lifelong social justice advocate. In a time when the rights of transgender...
- 4/28/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios, the pay TV network’s production arm, has promoted Gabriel Silver – who oversaw the commissioning of “Chernobyl” – to the role of director of commissioning, drama in the U.K., overseeing a broad slate of ambitious projects.
Silver, who is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer at Sky Studios, takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting into chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Most recently Silver has overseen a critically acclaimed slate of Sky Original dramas that includes Emmy and BAFTA-winning series “Chernobyl” and global hit “Gangs of London,” plus returning franchises “Temple,” “Britannia” and “Cobra.” He is currently exec producing upcoming Sky Original dramas “Extinction,” starring Paapa Essiedu, and “The Baby,” a co-production between Sky and HBO.
Prior to joining Sky in 2017, Silver worked at a range of indies including as a development and executive producer at Left Bank Pictures and at Kudos, where he script...
Silver, who is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer at Sky Studios, takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting into chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Most recently Silver has overseen a critically acclaimed slate of Sky Original dramas that includes Emmy and BAFTA-winning series “Chernobyl” and global hit “Gangs of London,” plus returning franchises “Temple,” “Britannia” and “Cobra.” He is currently exec producing upcoming Sky Original dramas “Extinction,” starring Paapa Essiedu, and “The Baby,” a co-production between Sky and HBO.
Prior to joining Sky in 2017, Silver worked at a range of indies including as a development and executive producer at Left Bank Pictures and at Kudos, where he script...
- 4/13/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios has promoted senior commissioner Gabriel Silver to director of drama commissioning following the departure of Cameron Roach.
Silver will be responsible for ordering originals from the independent production sector, having overseen a slate that includes Chernobyl, Gangs of London, and Britannia since joining Sky Studios in 2017.
Roach’s role has been split in two, with Silver overseeing third-party commissioning across Europe, while an in-house creative director will be responsible for the development and production of Sky Studios drama projects. Recruitment is ongoing for the latter role.
Silver will report to Sky Studios’ chief content officer Jane Millichip, while he will also have a dotted line to Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky UK, with projects jointly greenlit by both Sky Studios and Sky UK.
Silver said: “Sky drama has never been more bold or ambitious than it is today. Over the next 18 months, we’re looking towards a fantastic slate of shows,...
Silver will be responsible for ordering originals from the independent production sector, having overseen a slate that includes Chernobyl, Gangs of London, and Britannia since joining Sky Studios in 2017.
Roach’s role has been split in two, with Silver overseeing third-party commissioning across Europe, while an in-house creative director will be responsible for the development and production of Sky Studios drama projects. Recruitment is ongoing for the latter role.
Silver will report to Sky Studios’ chief content officer Jane Millichip, while he will also have a dotted line to Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky UK, with projects jointly greenlit by both Sky Studios and Sky UK.
Silver said: “Sky drama has never been more bold or ambitious than it is today. Over the next 18 months, we’re looking towards a fantastic slate of shows,...
- 4/13/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios has named Gabriel Silver its director of commissioning for drama, a new role created following the departure of drama director Cameron Roach earlier this year.
Silver is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer for Sky Studios, the production arm of Comcast’s European pay TV giant Sky, and oversaw such hit dramas as Chernobyl and Gangs of London. He takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting to chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Following the exit of Roach, who had led Sky drama since 2018, Sky Studios decided to reset the structure of its U.K. scripted team to cope ...
Silver is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer for Sky Studios, the production arm of Comcast’s European pay TV giant Sky, and oversaw such hit dramas as Chernobyl and Gangs of London. He takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting to chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Following the exit of Roach, who had led Sky drama since 2018, Sky Studios decided to reset the structure of its U.K. scripted team to cope ...
- 4/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sky Studios has named Gabriel Silver its director of commissioning for drama, a new role created following the departure of drama director Cameron Roach earlier this year.
Silver is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer for Sky Studios, the production arm of Comcast’s European pay TV giant Sky, and oversaw such hit dramas as Chernobyl and Gangs of London. He takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting to chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Following the exit of Roach, who had led Sky drama since 2018, Sky Studios decided to reset the structure of its U.K. scripted team to cope ...
Silver is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer for Sky Studios, the production arm of Comcast’s European pay TV giant Sky, and oversaw such hit dramas as Chernobyl and Gangs of London. He takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting to chief content officer Jane Millichip.
Following the exit of Roach, who had led Sky drama since 2018, Sky Studios decided to reset the structure of its U.K. scripted team to cope ...
- 4/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cameron Roach, Director of Drama at Sky Studios, is leaving his position at the UK producer.
In an internal note to staff, CEO Gary Davey said the exec was departing to “spend more time with his family.”
Roach has been at Sky since 2013, working on shows including Britannia, Bulletproof and Riviera. Since Autumn 2018 he has led Sky Drama in the UK, delivering series including Chernobyl and Gangs of London. He will remain in situ until spring next year.
“Jane Millichip [Sky Studios Chief Content Officer] will work with Cameron and the team to decide how we best organise ourselves for continued success in Drama,” Davey wrote.
“As well as raising the scale, ambition and critical acclaim of Sky Drama, Cameron has been instrumental in Sky’s drive to produce more diverse programming, both in front of and behind the camera,” he continued.
In an internal note to staff, CEO Gary Davey said the exec was departing to “spend more time with his family.”
Roach has been at Sky since 2013, working on shows including Britannia, Bulletproof and Riviera. Since Autumn 2018 he has led Sky Drama in the UK, delivering series including Chernobyl and Gangs of London. He will remain in situ until spring next year.
“Jane Millichip [Sky Studios Chief Content Officer] will work with Cameron and the team to decide how we best organise ourselves for continued success in Drama,” Davey wrote.
“As well as raising the scale, ambition and critical acclaim of Sky Drama, Cameron has been instrumental in Sky’s drive to produce more diverse programming, both in front of and behind the camera,” he continued.
- 9/4/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
In an internal note seen by Variety, Gary Davey, CEO of London-based Sky Studios, has revealed to staff that Cameron Roach is to step down from his role as director of drama at Sky Studios in the spring.
In his memo, Davey wrote: “Cameron has decided to take some time out and spend more time with his family in Manchester.”
Roach joined Sky Drama as commissioning editor in 2013, and worked across a range of titles including Sky Originals “Britannia,” “Bulletproof” and “Riviera.” Since autumn 2018, he has led Sky Drama in the U.K. and during this time the team have delivered hit series including “Chernobyl,” “Gangs of London” and most recently “I Hate Suzie.”
Davey added: “As well as raising the scale, ambition and critical acclaim of Sky Drama, Cameron has been instrumental in Sky’s drive to produce more diverse programming, both in front of and behind the camera.
In his memo, Davey wrote: “Cameron has decided to take some time out and spend more time with his family in Manchester.”
Roach joined Sky Drama as commissioning editor in 2013, and worked across a range of titles including Sky Originals “Britannia,” “Bulletproof” and “Riviera.” Since autumn 2018, he has led Sky Drama in the U.K. and during this time the team have delivered hit series including “Chernobyl,” “Gangs of London” and most recently “I Hate Suzie.”
Davey added: “As well as raising the scale, ambition and critical acclaim of Sky Drama, Cameron has been instrumental in Sky’s drive to produce more diverse programming, both in front of and behind the camera.
- 9/4/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Cameron Roach will in the spring step down from his role as director of drama at Sky’s production and sales arm Sky Studios, the company said on Friday.
The news was shared by Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey in a memo, in which he said Roach would “spend more time with his family.”
No successor was named. Roach has been a key part of the Sky drama team since 2013, executive producing shows such as Britannia, Bulletproof and Riviera.
“Testament to Cameron’s leadership is the wealth of talent that exists within the Sky drama team,” Davey said. “With Jane ...
The news was shared by Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey in a memo, in which he said Roach would “spend more time with his family.”
No successor was named. Roach has been a key part of the Sky drama team since 2013, executive producing shows such as Britannia, Bulletproof and Riviera.
“Testament to Cameron’s leadership is the wealth of talent that exists within the Sky drama team,” Davey said. “With Jane ...
Cameron Roach will in the spring step down from his role as director of drama at Sky’s production and sales arm Sky Studios, the company said on Friday.
The news was shared by Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey in a memo, in which he said Roach would “spend more time with his family.”
No successor was named. Roach has been a key part of the Sky drama team since 2013, executive producing shows such as Britannia, Bulletproof and Riviera.
“Testament to Cameron’s leadership is the wealth of talent that exists within the Sky drama team,” Davey said. “With Jane ...
The news was shared by Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey in a memo, in which he said Roach would “spend more time with his family.”
No successor was named. Roach has been a key part of the Sky drama team since 2013, executive producing shows such as Britannia, Bulletproof and Riviera.
“Testament to Cameron’s leadership is the wealth of talent that exists within the Sky drama team,” Davey said. “With Jane ...
Something wicked is coming to HBO.
The premium cabler today announced today a series order for The Baby, a darkly comic horror series from debut screenwriter Siân Robins-Grace.
The HBO and Sky co-production is co-created by Robins-Grace and Lucy Gaymer and produced by Sister and Proverbial Pictures.
"The Baby is a funny, raw examination of motherhood as an institution: a set of unspoken rules that affect women differently depending on how they’re viewed by society," according to the official logline.
"If you're not scared by that, you should be. When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants, dramatically implodes."
"Controlling, manipulative and with violent powers, the baby twists Natasha’s life into a horror show. Where does it come from? What does it want? And what lengths will Natasha have to go to in order to get her life back?...
The premium cabler today announced today a series order for The Baby, a darkly comic horror series from debut screenwriter Siân Robins-Grace.
The HBO and Sky co-production is co-created by Robins-Grace and Lucy Gaymer and produced by Sister and Proverbial Pictures.
"The Baby is a funny, raw examination of motherhood as an institution: a set of unspoken rules that affect women differently depending on how they’re viewed by society," according to the official logline.
"If you're not scared by that, you should be. When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants, dramatically implodes."
"Controlling, manipulative and with violent powers, the baby twists Natasha’s life into a horror show. Where does it come from? What does it want? And what lengths will Natasha have to go to in order to get her life back?...
- 8/12/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
HBO and Sky are reteaming with Chernobyl producer Sister for a dark comic horror from debut screenwriter Siân Robins-Grace.
The WarnerMedia cable network and the Comcast-owned pay-tv broadcaster have ordered The Baby to series and plan to shoot it in the UK next year.
It was co-created by Robins-Grace, who was a co-exec producer on Charlie Covell’s upcoming Netflix series Kaos and developed Sex Education while at Eleven, and Lucy Gaymer, who is a freelance line producer and production manager who has worked on Sky’s Gangs of London.
It is produced by Sister and Robins-Grace and Gaymer’s Proverbial Pictures.
The Baby is a raw examination of motherhood as an institution: a set of unspoken rules that affect women differently depending on how they’re viewed by society.
When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants,...
The WarnerMedia cable network and the Comcast-owned pay-tv broadcaster have ordered The Baby to series and plan to shoot it in the UK next year.
It was co-created by Robins-Grace, who was a co-exec producer on Charlie Covell’s upcoming Netflix series Kaos and developed Sex Education while at Eleven, and Lucy Gaymer, who is a freelance line producer and production manager who has worked on Sky’s Gangs of London.
It is produced by Sister and Robins-Grace and Gaymer’s Proverbial Pictures.
The Baby is a raw examination of motherhood as an institution: a set of unspoken rules that affect women differently depending on how they’re viewed by society.
When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants,...
- 8/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO and Sky are teaming on the co-production “The Baby.”
The eight-episode series is described as a darkly comic horror series co-created by Siân Robins-Grace and Lucy Gaymer. When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants, dramatically implodes. Controlling, manipulative and with violent powers, the baby twists Natasha’s life into a horror show. Where does it come from? What does it want? And what lengths will Natasha have to go to in order to get her life back?
“With ‘The Baby,’ we want to explore the powerful anxiety around the question of whether or not to have children,” said Robins-Grace and Gaymer. “The ambivalence of not knowing, the bafflement at everyone else’s certainty and the suspicion that the whole thing is one millennia-long scam. We’re thrilled to be working with such a phenomenal team of producers...
The eight-episode series is described as a darkly comic horror series co-created by Siân Robins-Grace and Lucy Gaymer. When 38-year-old Natasha is unexpectedly landed with a baby, her life of doing what she wants, when she wants, dramatically implodes. Controlling, manipulative and with violent powers, the baby twists Natasha’s life into a horror show. Where does it come from? What does it want? And what lengths will Natasha have to go to in order to get her life back?
“With ‘The Baby,’ we want to explore the powerful anxiety around the question of whether or not to have children,” said Robins-Grace and Gaymer. “The ambivalence of not knowing, the bafflement at everyone else’s certainty and the suspicion that the whole thing is one millennia-long scam. We’re thrilled to be working with such a phenomenal team of producers...
- 8/12/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Comcast’s European pay-tv broadcaster Sky is aiming to get back into scripted production in a big way from August, with a number of its high-profile British shows under starters’ orders to get shooting again.
After War Of The Worlds became the first UK drama series to go into production during the pandemic this week, industry chatter around restarts is intensifying, and Sky is said to be among those leading the charge.
Deadline has heard of at least five shows that are close to getting cameras rolling again over the coming weeks. August could see the return of Britannia, Temple, Breeders and Code 404. Other shows will start coming back online from September, including A Discovery Of Witches.
Of the August crop, Britannia is a full-blooded restart after Season 3 was forced to shut down in March when Covid-19 swept through TV production. The historical drama is produced by Sam...
After War Of The Worlds became the first UK drama series to go into production during the pandemic this week, industry chatter around restarts is intensifying, and Sky is said to be among those leading the charge.
Deadline has heard of at least five shows that are close to getting cameras rolling again over the coming weeks. August could see the return of Britannia, Temple, Breeders and Code 404. Other shows will start coming back online from September, including A Discovery Of Witches.
Of the August crop, Britannia is a full-blooded restart after Season 3 was forced to shut down in March when Covid-19 swept through TV production. The historical drama is produced by Sam...
- 7/17/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC will air British drama Gangs of London in the U.S. after HBO’s Cinemax dropped out of the project, which has been renewed for a second season.
The series, which was created by The Raid’s Gareth Evans, was originally commissioned by Sky and Cinemax in 2017, as revealed by Deadline. In the subsequent two and a half years, the U.S. pay-tv broadcaster moved out of originals and AMC has now taken the U.S. rights and will become a co-producer of the second season.
The ten-part show, which is produced by Pulse Films in association with Chernobyl producer Sister, was a bit hit for Sky in the UK – it was its biggest premiere streaming series this year and the biggest original drama launch on Sky Atlantic in the past five years.
Gangs of London tells the story of a city being torn apart by the turbulent power...
The series, which was created by The Raid’s Gareth Evans, was originally commissioned by Sky and Cinemax in 2017, as revealed by Deadline. In the subsequent two and a half years, the U.S. pay-tv broadcaster moved out of originals and AMC has now taken the U.S. rights and will become a co-producer of the second season.
The ten-part show, which is produced by Pulse Films in association with Chernobyl producer Sister, was a bit hit for Sky in the UK – it was its biggest premiere streaming series this year and the biggest original drama launch on Sky Atlantic in the past five years.
Gangs of London tells the story of a city being torn apart by the turbulent power...
- 6/24/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Hit series “Gangs of London” is getting a new U.S. home.
The Gareth Evans-created series, which is produced by Pulse Films in association with Sister, will move from WarnerMedia-owned Cinemax to AMC ahead of its autumn debut. U.K. broadcaster Sky Atlantic will remain the European home for the show.
The first season already aired on Sky Atlantic — the home of many co-produced originals and U.S. shows on Comcast-backed pay-tv broadcaster Sky — back in April. Alongside the first season debut on AMC this fall, it will also air on Sky in Germany and Italy this summer.
The move is not altogether unexpected. Cinemax, sister network to HBO, revealed back in January that it was going to move out of the originals space, and that the brand would not be transferred over to the HBO Max platform. Variety understands Pulse Films received HBO and Cinemax’s...
The Gareth Evans-created series, which is produced by Pulse Films in association with Sister, will move from WarnerMedia-owned Cinemax to AMC ahead of its autumn debut. U.K. broadcaster Sky Atlantic will remain the European home for the show.
The first season already aired on Sky Atlantic — the home of many co-produced originals and U.S. shows on Comcast-backed pay-tv broadcaster Sky — back in April. Alongside the first season debut on AMC this fall, it will also air on Sky in Germany and Italy this summer.
The move is not altogether unexpected. Cinemax, sister network to HBO, revealed back in January that it was going to move out of the originals space, and that the brand would not be transferred over to the HBO Max platform. Variety understands Pulse Films received HBO and Cinemax’s...
- 6/24/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran and Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Atlantic seems to have a winning series on their hands, the latest drama series ‘Gang’s of London’ starring Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole has hit the ground running with the second biggest original drama launch of all time.
The series from ‘The Raid’ filmmaker Gareth Evans, launched to much critical acclaim. Set in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and multicultural cities. It tells the story of a city being torn apart by the turbulent power struggles of the international gangs that control it and the sudden power vacuum that’s created when the head of London’s most powerful crime family is assassinated.
Also in news – Russell Crowe joins cast of ‘American Son’
Over the first 7 days of it’s launch a record 2.23 million viewers tuned in for the opening episode. It has since gone on to become Sky’s most binged show this...
The series from ‘The Raid’ filmmaker Gareth Evans, launched to much critical acclaim. Set in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and multicultural cities. It tells the story of a city being torn apart by the turbulent power struggles of the international gangs that control it and the sudden power vacuum that’s created when the head of London’s most powerful crime family is assassinated.
Also in news – Russell Crowe joins cast of ‘American Son’
Over the first 7 days of it’s launch a record 2.23 million viewers tuned in for the opening episode. It has since gone on to become Sky’s most binged show this...
- 5/15/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Mob saga “Gangs of London” has given Sky Atlantic, British pay-tv operator Sky’s premium drama channel, its second-biggest original drama launch ever. The seven-day cumulative audience for the opening episode was 2.23 million.
Gareth Evans’ series, produced by Pulse Films and “Chernobyl” producer Sister Pictures, is also Sky’s most binged show this year with 997,000 choosing to watch to the ninth and final episode of the season within two weeks, and which has increased to 1.26 million in its third week. There have been more than 16.6 million downloads across the series so far.
The series received glowing reviews in the British press on launch, with multiple four- and five-star reviews. Empire called it “intensely cinematic in a way that is rare for British TV,” adding “the British gangster thriller has never seen anything like this before.” GQ said it is “a strong early contender to be the best show of the summer.
Gareth Evans’ series, produced by Pulse Films and “Chernobyl” producer Sister Pictures, is also Sky’s most binged show this year with 997,000 choosing to watch to the ninth and final episode of the season within two weeks, and which has increased to 1.26 million in its third week. There have been more than 16.6 million downloads across the series so far.
The series received glowing reviews in the British press on launch, with multiple four- and five-star reviews. Empire called it “intensely cinematic in a way that is rare for British TV,” adding “the British gangster thriller has never seen anything like this before.” GQ said it is “a strong early contender to be the best show of the summer.
- 5/15/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios has taken a minority stake in new drama producer Longboat Pictures, founded by “Bridgerton” director Julie Anne Robinson and former ITV executive Victoria Fea.
The outfit was founded in 2019 by Los Angeles-based director-producer Robinson and ex-itv commissioner Fea. The deal marks the latest investment for Sky Studios, which recently took a minority stake in “Luther” producer Hilary Salmon’s new outfit The Lighthouse, and previously invested in Wendy Darke’s natural history outfit True to Nature.
Under the deal, Sky Studios’ investment will allow Longboat to accelerate growth and expand its creative team. The production outfit will work with Sky Studios to develop content for distribution on the Sky platforms, as well as other networks.
Robinson previously directed both theater and award-winning TV shows in the U.K., before moving to Los Angeles, where her directing credits include “The Good Place,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Grace & Frankie.
The outfit was founded in 2019 by Los Angeles-based director-producer Robinson and ex-itv commissioner Fea. The deal marks the latest investment for Sky Studios, which recently took a minority stake in “Luther” producer Hilary Salmon’s new outfit The Lighthouse, and previously invested in Wendy Darke’s natural history outfit True to Nature.
Under the deal, Sky Studios’ investment will allow Longboat to accelerate growth and expand its creative team. The production outfit will work with Sky Studios to develop content for distribution on the Sky platforms, as well as other networks.
Robinson previously directed both theater and award-winning TV shows in the U.K., before moving to Los Angeles, where her directing credits include “The Good Place,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Grace & Frankie.
- 5/6/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC drama controller Piers Wenger has shed light on the British broadcaster’s plans to get cameras rolling again on high-end scripted shows following the coronavirus lockdown.
Wenger said the “TV world has been turned upside down” by the pandemic and he is working through “big logistical questions” about how to mount production again after most of his slate for 2020 and early 2021 was caught up in the crisis.
Shows including Peaky Blinders, Line Of Duty and soap EastEnders have been paused, but Wenger said he is in regular dialog with producers and his contemporaries in the UK and U.S. over ways to resume filming safely.
Speaking as part of a series of YouTube conversations with UK television chiefs being staged by the Edinburgh TV Festival, he said there will be a focus on managing actor production clashes, telling stories that do not involve international travel, and tapping into producer “ingenuity.
Wenger said the “TV world has been turned upside down” by the pandemic and he is working through “big logistical questions” about how to mount production again after most of his slate for 2020 and early 2021 was caught up in the crisis.
Shows including Peaky Blinders, Line Of Duty and soap EastEnders have been paused, but Wenger said he is in regular dialog with producers and his contemporaries in the UK and U.S. over ways to resume filming safely.
Speaking as part of a series of YouTube conversations with UK television chiefs being staged by the Edinburgh TV Festival, he said there will be a focus on managing actor production clashes, telling stories that do not involve international travel, and tapping into producer “ingenuity.
- 4/28/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast-owned pay TV operator Sky is recommending that dramas with significant international shoots delay filming until spring 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The U.K. commissioning team is instead looking to create more local scripted shows, like hit thriller “Save Me,” which are not so expensive or challenging to produce in the current environment.
Last week, Sky revealed that “Save Me Too,” created by and starring Lennie James, was the most downloaded show among U.K. subscribers during lockdown, followed by East London-set “Bulletproof 2.”
Speaking in a live Edinburgh TV Festival-moderated YouTube interview today with the Sky commissioning team, Sky director of drama Cameron Roach said he is being “quite cautious” about any dramas that are due to shoot abroad. “I have said to those indies that (are making them) that it is probably better for us to plan those shoots for spring 2021 rather than having to be...
The U.K. commissioning team is instead looking to create more local scripted shows, like hit thriller “Save Me,” which are not so expensive or challenging to produce in the current environment.
Last week, Sky revealed that “Save Me Too,” created by and starring Lennie James, was the most downloaded show among U.K. subscribers during lockdown, followed by East London-set “Bulletproof 2.”
Speaking in a live Edinburgh TV Festival-moderated YouTube interview today with the Sky commissioning team, Sky director of drama Cameron Roach said he is being “quite cautious” about any dramas that are due to shoot abroad. “I have said to those indies that (are making them) that it is probably better for us to plan those shoots for spring 2021 rather than having to be...
- 4/27/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast’s European pay-tv broadcaster Sky has decided to pause all drama productions that involve international filming until spring 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking during live Q&a on YouTube, organized by the Edinburgh TV Festival, Sky’s director of drama Cameron Roach said productions are being looked at on a case-by-case basis, but does not expect shows with overseas shoots or travel elements to be up and running for around 12 months.
More from DeadlineUK's Top TV Bosses To Be Grilled On Coronavirus Response For Reimagined Edinburgh TV FestivalSky's Patrick Dempsey-Fronted Financial Drama 'Devils' Sold To 160 Territories By NBCUniversalComcast's Sky Sets Launch Date For New Channels Sky Documentaries & Sky Nature
Sky has had to pause international productions including Season 3 of Britannia, while the plans to push back filming could impact new commissions such as Kudos’ You, which tells the story of a woman who flees across...
Speaking during live Q&a on YouTube, organized by the Edinburgh TV Festival, Sky’s director of drama Cameron Roach said productions are being looked at on a case-by-case basis, but does not expect shows with overseas shoots or travel elements to be up and running for around 12 months.
More from DeadlineUK's Top TV Bosses To Be Grilled On Coronavirus Response For Reimagined Edinburgh TV FestivalSky's Patrick Dempsey-Fronted Financial Drama 'Devils' Sold To 160 Territories By NBCUniversalComcast's Sky Sets Launch Date For New Channels Sky Documentaries & Sky Nature
Sky has had to pause international productions including Season 3 of Britannia, while the plans to push back filming could impact new commissions such as Kudos’ You, which tells the story of a woman who flees across...
- 4/27/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Pure’ writer Kirstie Swain will write and exec-produce the eight-episode series.
Sky has unveiled a new slate of original shows for 2020, including a new series from See-Saw Films and Pure writer Kirstie Swain.
The pay-tv operator unveiled six new shows at its Up Next event at the Tate Modern in London on February 12, taking its number of originals to 80 in 2020 – 25% more than last year.
Launches include eight-episode dark comedy Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic, based on C.J. Skuse’s 2017 book, from See-Saw Films and Sky Studios.
Pure writer Kirstie Swain has penned the series, which explores how a seemingly normal...
Sky has unveiled a new slate of original shows for 2020, including a new series from See-Saw Films and Pure writer Kirstie Swain.
The pay-tv operator unveiled six new shows at its Up Next event at the Tate Modern in London on February 12, taking its number of originals to 80 in 2020 – 25% more than last year.
Launches include eight-episode dark comedy Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic, based on C.J. Skuse’s 2017 book, from See-Saw Films and Sky Studios.
Pure writer Kirstie Swain has penned the series, which explores how a seemingly normal...
- 2/13/2020
- by 1100365¦Alex Farber Broadcast¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Sky has handed renewals to a slew of scripted series including David Schwimmer’s Intelligence, Robert Carlyle political drama Cobra and Joseph Gilgun’s comedy drama Brassic.
Intelligence, which launches on Sky One, has been handed a second season ahead of its first season air on February 21. Friends star Schwimmer plays a power-hungry, maverick Nsa agent who joins an inept and tactless computer analyst, played by Nick Mohammed, within the UK’s Gchq. Created and written by Mohammed, Intelligence is produced by Tim Hincks and Peter Fincham’s Expectation. The second, six-part season was renewed by Jon Mountague, Sky Studios’ Director of Comedy and Zai Bennett, Sky’s Managing Director of Content.
Schwimmer said, “I am thrilled to continue to pretend to be important to National Security.” Mohammed added, “I couldn’t be more delighted about setting off alarm bells inside Gchq all over again.”
Robert Carlyle’s political drama...
Intelligence, which launches on Sky One, has been handed a second season ahead of its first season air on February 21. Friends star Schwimmer plays a power-hungry, maverick Nsa agent who joins an inept and tactless computer analyst, played by Nick Mohammed, within the UK’s Gchq. Created and written by Mohammed, Intelligence is produced by Tim Hincks and Peter Fincham’s Expectation. The second, six-part season was renewed by Jon Mountague, Sky Studios’ Director of Comedy and Zai Bennett, Sky’s Managing Director of Content.
Schwimmer said, “I am thrilled to continue to pretend to be important to National Security.” Mohammed added, “I couldn’t be more delighted about setting off alarm bells inside Gchq all over again.”
Robert Carlyle’s political drama...
- 2/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO and Sky drama The Third Day, starring Jude Law and Naomie Harris, is getting its own immersive live event to go along with its six-episode run.
Sky unveiled details of the live event at its glitzy upfronts event in London, calling The Third Day the “world’s first immersive TV drama with an innovative live event staged as part of the series”.
Created by writer Dennis Kelly and Felix Barrett, artistic director of theater troupe Punchdrunk, the project will tell three, stand-alone but interconnected stories. Two of them will form part of the show’s six-episode run, while the third will take place in the UK.
The first part is “Summer”, written by Dennis Kelly and directed by Marc Munden. Told over three episodes, “Summer” follows the story of Sam (Law), a man who is drawn to a mysterious Island off the British coast where he encounters a group...
Sky unveiled details of the live event at its glitzy upfronts event in London, calling The Third Day the “world’s first immersive TV drama with an innovative live event staged as part of the series”.
Created by writer Dennis Kelly and Felix Barrett, artistic director of theater troupe Punchdrunk, the project will tell three, stand-alone but interconnected stories. Two of them will form part of the show’s six-episode run, while the third will take place in the UK.
The first part is “Summer”, written by Dennis Kelly and directed by Marc Munden. Told over three episodes, “Summer” follows the story of Sam (Law), a man who is drawn to a mysterious Island off the British coast where he encounters a group...
- 2/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky has commissioned Tin Star producer Kudos to make an eight-part drama about a woman who flees across Europe after killing her estranged father in a drug-fuelled rage.
Written by Ben Chanan, who penned BBC One’s Holliday Grainger spy drama The Capture, You follows Tara O’Rourke and her closest friends as they go in search of her long-lost mother.
Based on the Zoran Drvenkar novel of the same name, they navigate awkward romances, an unwanted pregnancy and try to escape the attentions of O’Rourke’s gangster uncle, Reagan, after stealing his drug stash. All the while, the specter of a mythical serial killer known as The Traveller inches ever closer.
Chanan will executive produce alongside Karen Wilson and Katie McAleese for Kudos, while Kara Manley and Serena Thompson executive produce for Sky Studios. The producer is Derek Ritchie. You was commissioned by Sky Studios’ director of drama...
Written by Ben Chanan, who penned BBC One’s Holliday Grainger spy drama The Capture, You follows Tara O’Rourke and her closest friends as they go in search of her long-lost mother.
Based on the Zoran Drvenkar novel of the same name, they navigate awkward romances, an unwanted pregnancy and try to escape the attentions of O’Rourke’s gangster uncle, Reagan, after stealing his drug stash. All the while, the specter of a mythical serial killer known as The Traveller inches ever closer.
Chanan will executive produce alongside Karen Wilson and Katie McAleese for Kudos, while Kara Manley and Serena Thompson executive produce for Sky Studios. The producer is Derek Ritchie. You was commissioned by Sky Studios’ director of drama...
- 2/12/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: Sky has confirmed an eight-episode order.
Exclusive, October 30, 2019: Top of the Lake producer See-Saw Films is adapting C J Skuse’s novel Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic.
The company, which also makes SundanceTV’s short-form series State of the Union, is developing the comedy drama, which is described as American Psycho-meets-Fleabag, written by Pure writer Kirstie Swain. The hope is that it will turn into an eight-part order.
The book, which was published in 2017, chronicles a year in the life of an ambitious but bored young woman living and working in a small British town. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying, but outside of work she turns to altogether darker, grislier pursuits. Because the girl everyone overlooks might just be able to get away with murder.
Swain, who was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit earlier today, will write and exec produce. Swain,...
Exclusive, October 30, 2019: Top of the Lake producer See-Saw Films is adapting C J Skuse’s novel Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic.
The company, which also makes SundanceTV’s short-form series State of the Union, is developing the comedy drama, which is described as American Psycho-meets-Fleabag, written by Pure writer Kirstie Swain. The hope is that it will turn into an eight-part order.
The book, which was published in 2017, chronicles a year in the life of an ambitious but bored young woman living and working in a small British town. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying, but outside of work she turns to altogether darker, grislier pursuits. Because the girl everyone overlooks might just be able to get away with murder.
Swain, who was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit earlier today, will write and exec produce. Swain,...
- 2/12/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sky has renewed epic fantasy drama Britannia for a third season.
The third season of the big-budget historical drama, which was written by playwright Jez Butterworth, is set to shoot later this year. It stars David Morrissey, Mackenzie Crook, Annabel Scholey and Eleanor Worthington-Cox and was created by Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth and James Richardson.
Update: Amazon is no longer involved in the show and will not air seasons two or seasons three. Sky sources told Deadline that it was in “active conversations with a number of U.S. partners” about finding a new U.S. home for the drama.
The first season, which included nine episodes, ran from January to March 2018, while the ten-part second season launched in November 2019.
In the first season of Britannia, the show followed the story of the Roman invasion led by General Aulus (David Morrissey), who sought to crush the Celtic heart of Britannia,...
The third season of the big-budget historical drama, which was written by playwright Jez Butterworth, is set to shoot later this year. It stars David Morrissey, Mackenzie Crook, Annabel Scholey and Eleanor Worthington-Cox and was created by Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth and James Richardson.
Update: Amazon is no longer involved in the show and will not air seasons two or seasons three. Sky sources told Deadline that it was in “active conversations with a number of U.S. partners” about finding a new U.S. home for the drama.
The first season, which included nine episodes, ran from January to March 2018, while the ten-part second season launched in November 2019.
In the first season of Britannia, the show followed the story of the Roman invasion led by General Aulus (David Morrissey), who sought to crush the Celtic heart of Britannia,...
- 1/15/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix debuted the trailer for Season 2 of “Sex Education” and Showtime announced the premiere date for Season 3 of “Our Cartoon President.”
Dates
AMC announced it will be the home of the television premiere of “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” on Feb. 16. Leading up to that special event is a five week “Breaking Bad” marathon that kicks off Jan. 19 with the first season of Vince Gilligan‘s critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning drama. The following four seasons will air through the next five consecutive Sundays.
Showtime’s animated series “Our Cartoon President” will return for its third season on Jan. 26. Season 3 aims to take a satirical look at the campaign trail to explore the critical question of who could be the next cartoon president. From the Iowa caucuses and the democratic campaigns to the impeachment inquiry, the cartoon universe will expand to include more political heavyweights,...
Dates
AMC announced it will be the home of the television premiere of “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” on Feb. 16. Leading up to that special event is a five week “Breaking Bad” marathon that kicks off Jan. 19 with the first season of Vince Gilligan‘s critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning drama. The following four seasons will air through the next five consecutive Sundays.
Showtime’s animated series “Our Cartoon President” will return for its third season on Jan. 26. Season 3 aims to take a satirical look at the campaign trail to explore the critical question of who could be the next cartoon president. From the Iowa caucuses and the democratic campaigns to the impeachment inquiry, the cartoon universe will expand to include more political heavyweights,...
- 1/8/2020
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
The Crown’s Olivia Colman is to star in Alexander Payne-directed crime drama Landscapers for HBO and Sky.
Landscapers is produced by Chernobyl producer Sister and is the first television screenplay from Ed Sinclair, Colman’s husband. It is being co-produced by South of the River Pictures, the new production company established by Colman and Sinclair, as revealed by Deadline.
The four-part series is the latest co-production between WarnerMedia’s premium network HBO and Comcast-backed Sky following the success of the nuclear disaster drama Chernobyl, which won ten Emmys in September.
Directed by The Descendants and Sideways director Payne, the series is inspired by real events. It tells the story of killers Susan and Christopher Edwards. Colman will play Susan Edwards. The pair, a mild-mannered couple from Mansfield in the UK, killed Susan’s parents and buried them in their back garden. The crime remained undiscovered for over a decade.
Landscapers is produced by Chernobyl producer Sister and is the first television screenplay from Ed Sinclair, Colman’s husband. It is being co-produced by South of the River Pictures, the new production company established by Colman and Sinclair, as revealed by Deadline.
The four-part series is the latest co-production between WarnerMedia’s premium network HBO and Comcast-backed Sky following the success of the nuclear disaster drama Chernobyl, which won ten Emmys in September.
Directed by The Descendants and Sideways director Payne, the series is inspired by real events. It tells the story of killers Susan and Christopher Edwards. Colman will play Susan Edwards. The pair, a mild-mannered couple from Mansfield in the UK, killed Susan’s parents and buried them in their back garden. The crime remained undiscovered for over a decade.
- 12/20/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky has renewed crime medical thriller Temple for a second season. The Comcast-backed pay-tv platform has ordered another eight-episode run of the series, which stars Mark Strong, Daniel Mays and Carice Van Houten.
Temple, which is based on Norwegian scripted format Valkryien, which aired on Nrk, launched in September on Sky One.
Produced by Hera Pictures, Temple tells the story of Daniel Milton, played by Strong, a respected surgeon who finds himself drawn into the underground world of doomsday preppers and bank robbers when he tries to save his wife’s life, by setting up an illicit clinic with obsessive yet surprisingly resourceful misfit Lee (Daniel Mays), in the vast network of tunnels beneath Temple tube station in London. They are soon joined by Anna (Carice Van Houten), a guilt-ridden medical researcher whose past is entangled with Daniel’s and fugitive bank-robber Jamie (Tobi King-Bakare). Daniel does his best...
Temple, which is based on Norwegian scripted format Valkryien, which aired on Nrk, launched in September on Sky One.
Produced by Hera Pictures, Temple tells the story of Daniel Milton, played by Strong, a respected surgeon who finds himself drawn into the underground world of doomsday preppers and bank robbers when he tries to save his wife’s life, by setting up an illicit clinic with obsessive yet surprisingly resourceful misfit Lee (Daniel Mays), in the vast network of tunnels beneath Temple tube station in London. They are soon joined by Anna (Carice Van Houten), a guilt-ridden medical researcher whose past is entangled with Daniel’s and fugitive bank-robber Jamie (Tobi King-Bakare). Daniel does his best...
- 11/1/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sherlock’s Rupert Graves is joining the third season of Sky drama Riviera.
Graves, who is set to star in Autumn De Wilde’s Emma, will play Gabriel Hirsch, the carefree, charismatic and worldly ally of Julia Stiles’ Georgina Ryland. Filming has begun on the third season with Delevingne and Jack Fox returning alongside Clare-Hope Ashitey (Doctor Foster), Synnove Macody Lund (Headhunters), Franco Masini, Elisio Barrionuevo and Maurizio Lombardi.
A year has passed since the action of the second season finale. Georgina has abandoned the cursed Riviera, leaving all its devastation and damage behind to start a new life. Now a rising star in international art restitution, she has reinvented herself as Georgina Ryland as she travels the world – from Venice to Argentina – on the hunt for stolen art works.
Stiles said, “The expansion of this season, in terms of the gorgeous new countries we visit, as well as our new cast members,...
Graves, who is set to star in Autumn De Wilde’s Emma, will play Gabriel Hirsch, the carefree, charismatic and worldly ally of Julia Stiles’ Georgina Ryland. Filming has begun on the third season with Delevingne and Jack Fox returning alongside Clare-Hope Ashitey (Doctor Foster), Synnove Macody Lund (Headhunters), Franco Masini, Elisio Barrionuevo and Maurizio Lombardi.
A year has passed since the action of the second season finale. Georgina has abandoned the cursed Riviera, leaving all its devastation and damage behind to start a new life. Now a rising star in international art restitution, she has reinvented herself as Georgina Ryland as she travels the world – from Venice to Argentina – on the hunt for stolen art works.
Stiles said, “The expansion of this season, in terms of the gorgeous new countries we visit, as well as our new cast members,...
- 9/27/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios, the commissioning and production arm of the Comcast-owned broadcaster, is setting up a drama innovation hub in the north of England — and it will be led by a story producer on season three of Hulu drama Harlots.
Vicky Wharton, who has also worked on shows including BBC soap EastEnders and Murphy’s Law, will aim to unearth new drama and comedy talent in Leeds, as well as encourage storytelling using “innovative technology.”
Sky is already committed to the north of England. It currently employs 1,300 people in Leeds and is in production on five shows in the north, including series three of Tin Star, which is set in Liverpool, and the second season of Brassic, which became the broadcaster’s biggest comedy launch in seven years last month.
Sky Studios’ drama director Cameron Roach said: “As part of Sky’s wider commitment to innovation, our innovation hub will...
Vicky Wharton, who has also worked on shows including BBC soap EastEnders and Murphy’s Law, will aim to unearth new drama and comedy talent in Leeds, as well as encourage storytelling using “innovative technology.”
Sky is already committed to the north of England. It currently employs 1,300 people in Leeds and is in production on five shows in the north, including series three of Tin Star, which is set in Liverpool, and the second season of Brassic, which became the broadcaster’s biggest comedy launch in seven years last month.
Sky Studios’ drama director Cameron Roach said: “As part of Sky’s wider commitment to innovation, our innovation hub will...
- 9/18/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.