Faith Penhale


Faith Penhale takes control of Les Mis producer Lookout Point

Simon Vaughan has stepped down as joint-CEO of Les Miserables producer Lookout Point, leaving Faith Penhale to take control of the business.  Vaughan is exiting his role as chairman and joint-CEO of the BBC Studios-owned prodco after 10 years.  Penhale, who previously served as creative director and joint-CEO, will be the sole head of the business.   Founded […]

BBC Studios takes 100% control of Lookout Point

BBC Studios has increased its stake in indie scripted studio Lookout Point to 100%, in line with an option agreed in 2016. Following completion, Lookout Point will continue to be led by joint CEOs, Simon Vaughan and Faith Penhale, and will operate independently. Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Studios, said: “Increasing our investment enables us to […]

ITV Studios, Sky execs join Lookout Point

High-ranking production execs at ITV Studios (ITVS) and satcaster Sky are joining UK drama house Lookout Point. ITVS creative director Francis Hopkinson (Wallander, DCI Banks) is joining as the senior management team as executive producer, while Louise Mutter is named head of production. Hopkinson will build and develop his own slate and produce new Andrew […]

BBCWW, Cohen form funding initiative

BBC Worldwide, Danny Cohen’s Access Entertainment and UK indie Lookout Point have created a premium drama funding initiative aimed at taking projects straight to series. The operation will be known as Benchmark Television. While it is not a production entity, it will commission projects from third-party producers and writing talent. BBCWW, the BBC’s commercial arm, […]

BBCWW ups stake in War and Peace prodco

BBC Worldwide now owns 49% of Lookout Point after buying up more of the War and Peace prodco. The commercial arm of the UK pubcaster also has an option to take full control of the producer as part of the new deal. Worldwide has been investing in indies, in turn securing it rights for the […]

BBC, Weinstein to adapt Les Misérables

UK pubcaster BBC One and US-based Weinstein Television are working up a television version of classic novel Les Misérables. War and Peace scribe Andrew Davies will adapt the property as a six-part drama, with the BBC’s production arm, BBC Studios and Lookout Point coproducing in association with The Weinstein Company’s TV arm. The BBC’s commercial […]

BBC poaches Channel 4 drama chief

Channel 4’s drama chief Piers Wenger is leaving the UK broadcaster to join the territory’s pubcaster, the BBC. Wenger (pictured) has beaten off competition to land the role of controller, BBC drama commissioning, which is th most high-profile position in British sciripted television. He begins this autumn. In turn, Channel 4 has promoted deputy head […]

Amazon, BBCWW coproduce fashion drama

Amazon Prime Instant Video and BBC Worldwide have greenlit an eight-part fashion-themed drama from UK indie Lookout Point. The Collection is set in the world of French haute couture just after the Second World War, and will launch exclusively in 2016 for Amazon Prime members in the UK. This marks the first time Amazon has […]

BBC Wales drama chief to join War & Peace prodco

BBC Wales head of drama Faith Penhale (pictured) will join the prodco behind upcoming drama War & Peace, Lookout Point, as joint CEO. Starting in February 2016, she will work alongside Lookout Point founder and co-chief executive Simon Vaughan to develop the firm’s original drama slate. She currently oversees the BBC Drama department behind shows […]

BBC Wales drama chief to join War & Peace prodco

BBC Wales head of drama Faith Penhale (pictured) will join the prodco behind upcoming drama War & Peace, Lookout Point, as joint CEO. Starting in February 2016, she will work alongside Lookout Point founder and co-chief executive Simon Vaughan to develop the firm’s original drama slate. She currently oversees the BBC Drama department behind shows […]