Frank Spotnitz


Exclusive: Director Jim Sheridan moves into TV with Frank Spotnitz, Shinawil

Oscar-nominated director Jim Sheridan (In The Name Of The Father, Brothers) is making his first move into TV with a show that has been created by The X Files scribe Frank Spotnitz, who is also attached to write. The Last Barbarian is from Larry Bass’s Irish producer Shinawil and Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions, with Sheridan […]

TBI Weekly: What happens when limited series become unlimited?

If the behind-the-scenes turmoil of HBO’s Big Little Lies has achieved anything, it has been to demonstrate the unique turning point faced by limited series that become unlimited. The case, however unique, begs the question: can a series really be ‘limited’ anymore when the tectonic shifts rocking the industry increasingly call for returnable hits that […]

‘Man In The High Castle’ producer to bring Warhammer to screen

The Man In The High Castle producer Frank Spotnitz is to bring the game Warhammer to screen via a partnership with Games Workshop. Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions has partnered with Warhammer developer Games Workshop to develop Eisenhorn, a live-action sci-fi and fantasy series that will be based on the popular Warhammer 40,000 games, miniatures and novels. […]

Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light names second apprenticeship winner

Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light Productions has named the second winner of its Serial Eyes postgraduate training programme. Each year, the Serial Eyes programme, which was incepted in 2013, accepts 12 up-and-coming TV writers from across Europe with broadcast experience and a desire to write for the international market. One writer is then offered the chance […]

Big Light poaches Eleven’s Hall for COO post

Frank Spotnitz’s company, Big Light Productions, has hired Jamie Hall from rival prodco Eleven Films as COO. Hall was previously Eleven’s head of production and business affairs, but will now work out of Big Light’s UK headquarters to oversee strategic partnerships and project financing. Big Light’s current slate includes CBS-Global-TF1-RTL coproduction procedural Ransom, CraveTV comedy-drama […]

CBS, TF1, Global, eOne team for Spotnitz drama

A host of international broadcasters are joining forces on Ransom, a new drama series about a crisis negotiator. The project has been with Canadian net Global since 2014 and TF1 was already on board. US broadcaster CBS has now been added to the list of partners by Entertainment One Television, which is selling the series […]

Spotnitz climbs down from High Castle

Frank Spotnitz will no longer be the showrunner of Amazon’s alternative history drama The Man in the High Castle. A spokesperson from Spotnitz’s prodco, Big Light Productions, confirmed the development to TBI after Deadline had broken the news in the US. SVOD service Amazon will not replace Spotnitz, who will remain an executive producer on […]

Spotnitz prodco makes French play

Frank Spotnitz’s prodco, Big Light Productions, has hired a former Canal+ commissioner to oversee a newly-opened French office and projects in London. Lorraine Sullivan will join the Man in the High Castle producer to oversee projects from Big Light’s London headquarters and the new Paris office that focus on drama, documentaries and films relating to […]

Amazon deal monitor: Prime’s time

Amazon’s initial slate of originals was mostly well received, but failed to set the TV world alight. Then along came Jeffrey Tambur cross-dressing drama Transparent, which not only garnered masses of column inches, but also bagged awards and critical acclaim. Some commentators described as “Amazon’s House of Cards moment”. SVOD service Amazon Prime Instant Video […]

Mad Dogs, High Castle go to series on Amazon

Amazon Prime Instant Video has sent a pair of dramas, an unscripted series and two kids shows to series. The dramas are Cris Cole’s US version of Mad Dogs and The Man in the High Castle, with magazine series The New Yorker Presents and kids series Just Add Magic and The Stink & Dirty Show […]