Banijay takes stake in James Norton’s ‘Rogue Agent’ prodco Rabbit Track Pictures

L-R: James Norton & Kitty Kaletsky

Banijay has taken a stake in James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky’s Rabbit Track Pictures, the London-based production firm behind Netflix thriller Rogue Agent.

Rabbit Track was launched in 2019 by actor and Happy Valley star Norton and scripted exec Kitty Kaletsky, formerly of Black Bear TV and Number 9 Films.

The company’s first film, Norton-starring Rogue Agent, debuted on Netflix last year, while it is also in development on scripted projects for the BBC and ITVX.

The investment from Banijay includes a first-look deal with distributor Banijay Rights. Financial terms and the size of its stake have not been disclosed.

Tracking Rabbit’s run

Rabbit Track was launched four years ago via backing from investment firm Great Point Media, along with fellow founding partner The Development Partnership, which provided seed funding via its Great Point Ventures EIS fund.

Both Great Point Media and The Development Partnership remain shareholders in the company, while Robert Taylor will remain a director at Rabbit Track.

The deal is part of Banijay’s £50m UK Growth Fund, which was created last year to enable the UK-based division to partner with talent as well as investing in new businesses. Banijay said that the investment in Rabbit Track Pictures will allow it to build the company’s team and acquire additional IP.

It is the seventh Growth Fund deal to be announced since it was launched in February 2023. Previous deals include a first-look with scripted producer Chris Sussman and a multi-project deal with Scottish documentary director and producer Kevin Macdonald.

The fund has also facilitated the acquisition of Chloe producer Mam Tor Productions and investments in new scripted company Conker Pictures and North Wales based start-up, Ty’r Ddraig, and enabled the launch of DSP Films headed by Graeme McAulay.

Patrick Holland, CEO and executive chair of Banijay UK, praised Rabbit Track for its “impressive slate of projects”, while Norton said that Banijay “clearly share mine and Kitty’s values and ambition for the company.”

Tom Manwaring at Helion Partners advised Norton and Kaletsky on the Rabbit Track deal.