Duck Soup appeals to Red script exec

FremantleMedia-backed Duck Soup Films has appointed Red Production Company script editor Jackie Okwera as its head of development.

Okwera will join the Leeds-based indie in September, as the company eyes its first scripted television and films commissions.

This comes after FremantleMedia bought a 25% stake in Duck Soup, which This is England and Utopia producers Bekki Wray-Roberts, Libby Durdy and Jessica Holyland launched in 2015.

Okwera has worked on shows such as Critical, The Five, Law and Order: UK and Ordinary Lies.

She will oversee Duck Soup’s slate of TV and film projects, as well as developing new shows and relationships.

Okwera said she was joining at “an important time for the company”, adding: “They already have an impressive roster of talent and projects on their slate and I look forward to being a part of their ambitious plans for the future.”

Duck Soup managing director Wray-Rogers said Okwera was “someone who shares our passion for finding intriguing, authentic and contemporary voices from outside the mainstream that can excite and challenge audiences both in the UK and beyond”.