Anton takes stake in Benedict Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch

Patrick Melrose

Sébastien Raybaud’s European financing and production firm Anton has taken a minority stake in Benedict Cumberbatch’s UK scripted prodco SunnyMarch.

The two companies will collaborate on a slate of high-end feature films, which Anton will finance, co-produce and distribute.

The deal comes as Anton further expands into the UK, following its recent partnership with Sheffield-based prodco Warp Films, alongside existing development deals with WestEnd Films and Clerkenwell Films.

Anton, which was founded by Raybaud in 2011, currently co-finances an ongoing drama fund with UK pubcaster the BBC, which has been used to produce projects including crime drama series McMafia and historical drama Gentleman Jack.

The deal marks the second investment secured by SunnyMarch, which was co-founded by Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland, following StudioCanal’s acquisition of 20% of the firm in 2016.

The company is behind feature thriller The Courier and Showtime series Patrick Melrose.