ITV buys Poldark prodco

ITV has acquired Mammoth Screen, the UK drama prodco behind Poldark, for an undisclosed sum and cofounder Michele Buck is exiting the business.

UK broadcaster ITV already owned a chunk of Mammoth Screen after paying £1 million (US$1.5 million) for a 25% stake back in 2007. ITV Studios Global Entertainment already distributed Mammoth programming in the wake of that deal.

It has now bought the remainder of the production company, which made recent BBC One period drama hit Poldark. Its other credits include Morse prequel Endeavour and WWI drama Parade’s End.

Its upcoming series include more Poldark and Endeavour as well as Tripped for E4 and Book of the Dead for The Weinstein Company.

Former ITV head of drama Damien Timmer cofounded Mammoth with Buck in 2007. Following today’s deal Buck will exit the firm and Timmer will run it as managing director.

Buck will remain an exec producer on Agatha Raisin, A Tale Of Two Cities and Lewis, which she produces with ITV Studios.

Julian Bellamy, managing director ITV Studios UK, said: “Damien and the team are one of the most impressive and sought after drama producers in Britain. From Endeavour to Poldark, they’ve an uncanny knack of developing hit after hit and we’re delighted they’re joining the ITV Studios family.”

Timmer added: “We have a long history with ITV Studios, and with its support and backing we’ll be able to make television for a wide range of partners both at home and abroad, whilst remaining a very British television company.”