Banijay backs Lenny Henry & BBCS exec’s new prodco Esmerelda

Three Little Birds (Source: ITV)

Three Little Birds writer Lenny Henry has launched a new production firm backed by Banijay, with BBC Studios exec Jon Sen joining as co-MD.

Esmerelda aims to produce broad appeal drama and comedy, with an emphasis on working with under-represented writers, cast and crew.

Banijay’s minority investment comes via its UK Growth Fund and includes a first-look deal with distributor, Banijay Rights.

Henry will step down as CEO at his current prodco Douglas Road, which was backed by Endemol Shine Group (acquired by Banijay in 2020), with MD Angela Ferreira now running that label.

LR: Jon Sen & Lenny Henry (Source: Banijay)

Joining Henry at Esmerelda is producer, writer and director Sen, who was most recently an executive producer and development executive at BBC Studios, where he worked on shows including Casualty and EastEnders.

Henry, who initially started his career as a comedian in the UK, has most recently been behind drama series Three Little Birds for ITV, with Russell T Davies exec producing with Lucy Bedford of Bahijay-owned Tiger Aspect.

Henry said: “Building up to this announcement has been such a roller coaster ride of keeping my nose to the grindstone and my mouth shut. I am so proud that Banijay have seen fit to invest in us.

“I can’t wait to scheme and dream with my new, soon to be announced, team at Esmerelda led by the mighty Jon Sen, who is not only a talented producer but also an excellent writer and director.”

Banijay UK chief Patrick Holland added that the company has “plans for an ambitious scripted slate” that will “bring storytelling from a wide range of diverse authorship to broad audiences.”

The deal marks the eighth Growth Fund deal for Banijay following its launch in February. Previous investments include James Norton’s Rabbit Track, Conker Pictures from ex Apple+ and BBC commissioners Kim Varvell and Tommy Bulfin, and Wales-based start-up Ty’r Ddraig.