Sony backs Dragonslayer indie

Sony is backing Blueprint Television, the new foray into TV by film production company Blueprint Pictures.

Sony Pictures Television has bought into the new indie, and the prodco has brought in Eastenders showrunner Dominic Treadwell-Collins as head of television.

Hitherto, Blueprint has been known as a movie producer, making features including The Best Exotic Marigold and Seven Psychopaths. It has already won a commission, and is making, alongside GroupM Entertainment, fantasy series The Last Dragonslayer for Sky.

Blueprint principals Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin will run the new TV division, which will set out to make returning drama for the UK market but with an international focus.

Sony’s distribution arm will not sell Dragonslayer, but will distribute its other projects internationally.

“Pete and Graham are exactly the kind of people we want to partner with – hugely creative and highly motivated,” said Andrea Wong (above), president, international production, SPT.

“They already have an incredibly strong development slate and we can’t wait to help them realise their vision for Blueprint Television.”

Czernin said: “We’re excited to extend Blueprint’s reach to attract the best talent to tell longer form and returning stories. Working with Sony and Andrea and Wayne [Garvie] helps us fulfil the same ambitions we have when we make theatrical films: to entertain audiences around the world with the best stories.”

Treadwell-Collins’ other TV credits include Grantchester, when he was head of development at Kudos’ Lovely Day.

“As a massive fan of Blueprint’s films, I am so excited to be joining Graham, Pete and Diarmuid to develop their television arm,” he said. “Their experience and passion for quality storytelling is inspiring and I’m looking forward to working with them and SPT to create drama series with a British USP that can entertain audiences around the world.”

The news comes amid a period of change for SPT, as its stable of prodcos has slimmed down recently, with Victory Television and Gogglebox both shutting. SPT president Steve Mosko is also leaving, with divisional bosses set to report directly to SPE chief Michael Lynton.

On the programming side its current slate includes NBC series Timeless and AMC’s Seth Rogen series Preacher.