Ex-BBC Films boss sets up indie

David Thompson has become the latest TV producer to set up on his own and has created Origin Pictures. Thompson was head of BBC Films for over a decade and the entity will launch next month.

Origin starts out life with a three-year first-look deal with BBC Fiction that covers TV drama and feature film. FremantleMedia Enterprises also has a first-look development deal that covers Origin’s TV projects.

The start-up is backed by producer and financier Anant Singh through his company, Distant Horizon.

The first slate includes a four-part TV series based on Michel Faber’s bestseller The Crimson Petal and the White.

Thompson has brought Ed Rubin and Nicola Blacker with him from the BBC and they will become head of development and production executive respectively. Thompson will continue to executive produce ongoing BBC Films’ projects.