Inbetweeners pair exit Zodiak for new prodco

The creators of British comedy The Inbetweeners have left their Zodiak Media-owned production company to launch a new firm, Fudge Park.

Iain Morris and Damon Beesley will head up the UK-based film and television production-focused indie as co-founders, along with Bwark creative director Simon Wilson, producer Phil Gilbert, managing director director Mark Lesbirel and head of production Leo Martin.

Zodiak, which is in the process of merging with Banijay Group, acquired Bwark for an undisclosed amount in 2011, seven years after its creation.

As earn-outs often come to fruition between three and five years after company sales, this could be the case Bwark’s management, though this could not be confirmed at press time.

The firm’s best known show, The Inbetweeners, ran on Channel 4 and goes out through distributor DRG, while other key titles include E4’s Drifters and BBC Two’s Siblings.

TBI understands Zodiak has a team in place to oversee Bwark’s current slate, which includes the third season of Jessica Knappett- and Lydia Rose Bewley-fronted sitcom Drifters.

Fudge Park launches with television commissions from the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK, though no further details were supplied, and other deals were said to be “announced shortly”.

There is also a distribution agreement for finished and formats programming with the BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.

A slate of comedy films that follow the successful Inbetweeners movie franchise is also in the works.

“We’re very sad to have left Bwark behind us, but we’re incredibly excited about our future. With the formation of our new company Fudge Park we’re pleased to be expanding our creative output with the help of our new partners. We look forward to announcing our commissions shortly which will give you a real flavour of the projects you can expect from Fudge Park.”