Mansfield’s UK prodco launches LA office

Grant Mansfield’s UK-based producer, Plimsoll Productions, is establishing a base in LA, with ITV format Big Family Mansion made an initial priority.

The office, opening this spring, will be based in Santa Monica, with Mansfield and executive VP, international production Andrew Jackson overseeing the move.

The move comes as part of a strategy to further Plimsoll’s business in the US, where it has sold shows to the likes of National Geographic Channel and TLC since launching less than two years ago.

Before launching Plimsoll, Mansfield was CEO of RDF USA, which later became Zodiak USA. There he produced shows such as Celebrity Wife Swap and Secret Millionaire, while Jackson joined Plimsoll recently having previously been EVP, production and development of landmark series and specials for Discovery Channel in the US and internationally.

Mansfield plans to pitch Big Family Mansion, which terrestrial ITV recently commissioned in the UK, to US broadcast networks in coming weeks.

The format sees multi-generational families living together in a mansion for a month, establishing house rules and duties while their own homes are put up for sale, before deciding whether to permanently stay as a unit or going their separate ways.

“The big social change in modern family life in both the US and UK is multi-generational living,” said Mansfield. “Through drama and humour, Big Family Mansion is a brand new reality format that provides a hugely entertaining window on the ups and downs of buying a home with your extended family.”