Ex-Mammoth Screen chief to run Company Pics

Michele Buck, who recently left Mammoth Screen, has been appointed CEO of Wolf Hall coproducer Company Pictures.

This comes after she stepped down from her post as joint managing director of drama house Mammoth following ITV’s acquisition of the firm and three months after Company MD John Yorke left his post.

Buck will assume her new post on July 1. Company is best known for shows such as popular period drama Wolf Hall (pictured), Skins, Shameless, The White Queen, George Gently and The Village.

“We very much look forward to welcoming Michele,” said All3 CEO Jane Turton. “Michele’s expertise, experience and passion for drama and her relationships and reputation in the UK, US and around the world are a hugely exciting addition to Company Pictures as she leads the business to further creative and commercial success.”

Buck co-founded Mammoth Screen with Damien Timmer in 2007 with financial backing from ITV, but left this month after ITV moved to snap up the rest of the business.

Prior to that, she was controller of drama for United Productons and ITV, where she oversaw shows such as Channel 4’s Sex Traffic and ITV’s Lewis.

“I will relish the challenge of leading Company Pictures into its next phase and growing its already distinctive drama portfolio,” said Buck.

“I’ll be looking to build upon the existing Company reputation by seeking to attract new talent and great new projects to take the company onwards and upwards.”

Timmer is now solely in charge of Mammoth Screen, which is behind BBC One’s Poldark, Morse prequel Endeavour and World War I drama Parade’s End.