Endemol Shine Oz drama boss exits

Endemol Shine Australia drama producer John Edwards is leaving the company to build his own business.

He will continue as a creative consultant on Network Ten comedy-drama Offspring, which the newly-merged Endemol Shine Australia group produces.

Edwards has produced more than 600 hours of Australian television, including Foxtel’s first high-end drama, Love My Way, plus episodic series The Secret Life of US and Police Rescue, which are the only Australian series to air in UK primetime. He has produced for all the major Aussie channels, plus internationally for the BBC, Channel and Sky in the UK.

He will set up his own indie under the Rough Diamond Entertainment banner, according to Australian reports.

“John Edwards is a true industry legend and one of the finest producers in the country,” said Endemol Shine Australia co-CEOs Carl and Mark Fennessy in a statement. John leaves us on the very best of terms. We thank him for his many years working with Endemol and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

“The time has come for me to go out on my own,” said Edwards. “I’m very excited to be building a new business. I look forward to working together with ESA on Offspring and other future opportunities as they emerge.”

Endemol Shine Australia was one of the last companies to be formed following the merger of Endemol and Shine Group last December.

Around 20 staff left the firm in August, though Edwards was not one of the them. Former Endemol Australia CEO Janeen Faithfull exited in April.