BBC Worldwide cuts first-look with UK prodco

BBC Worldwide has agreed a first-look deal with Cuba Pictures, the UK production company behind Boy A and the upcoming Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

Worldwide will help fund Cuba’s new programming and provide marketing and commercial support in return for international rights to its output.

The prodco is part of literary agency Curtis Brown and was set up in 2008 to work up content based on the works of its authors. It is run by Nick Marston (pictured) and Dixie Linder.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, based on the eponymous Susanna Clarke novel, is the next Cuba project out of the gate and will debut on BBC One and BBC America. It will be distributed by Endemol Worldwide Distribution.

Martin Rakusen, BBC Worldwide’s commercial director for independent drama, said: “We’re very excited about the partnership with Cuba Pictures and working with the wealth of talent that falls under the Curtis Brown Group. Nick and Dixie have built a dynamic production company with an exceptionally exciting range of projects both in production and development.”

Worldwide recently inked a first-look deal with another drama producer, Cosmopolitan Films, the new firm set up by its former drama boss Ben Donald.