Former LADbible execs Thom Gulseven and Ben Powell-Jones have launched Strong Watch Studios, a digital-first broadcast company backed by Derry Girls firm Hat Trick Productions. The duo, who launched Snack Wars and Agree To Disagree producer LADstudios at the LADbible group, plan to build out a network of unscripted channels across digital platforms, working with […]
Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee has reunited with Hat Trick Productions to set her next project for UK broadcaster Channel 4, which has ordered her new comedy-thriller, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast. Written and created by McGee, the 8 x 60-minute comedy series will follow Saoirse, Robyn and Dara who have been friends […]
UK pubcaster the BBC has commissioned a “dark” and “sometimes surreal” sitcom written by and starring Irish comedian and actor Dylan Moran. Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the 5 x 15-minute Stuck explores the relationship between Dan (Moran) and Carla (Morgana Robinson). The couple find themselves at a crossroads: Dan has been recently made redundant, […]
US- and UK-based production group Argonon is expanding its indie roster by launching a new factual formats-focused firm, which will be led by former Hat Trick Productions exec Claire Collinson-Jones. Studio Leo will be based out of London and will produce popular factual content for broadcasters, both as standalone projects and collaborations across the group. […]
This British sitcom has been co-written and produced by Drop The Dead Donkey scribes Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin. It follows the “sparky friendship” between a white, working class seaside café owner and a refugee African doctor, played by Brenda Blethyn (Vera) and Jimmy Akingbola (Holby City) respectively. “Both Brenda and Jimmy have a gift […]
Hat Trick Productions exec Mark Talbot has joined Beano Studios as chief creative officer. In the new role, he will head up the business’s long-form content development and production studio. As chief creative officer, Talbot will oversee Beano Studios’ expansion into scripted live-action comedy and drama for teens and young adults. The expansion will build […]
Cineflix Media has hired Hat Trick’s Jimmy Baker as senior vice president of development. Baker will focus on developing unscripted series and returnable formats in the UK and North America. Initially based in London, Baker will work with Cineflix’s creative teams in North America and report to Dave Hamilton (pictured), executive vice president of development. […]
Debbie Manners is leaving her post as CEO of the UK’s Keo Films after five years. She joined the factual-focused prodco in 2012, and then helped it to double its turnover and launch Keo Australia and Field Day Productions. Manners will remain chief executive of Field Day alongside managing director Sally Angel and head of […]
A Sky 1 documentary series will reveal secrets of the guarded Freemasons organisation. Inside the Freemasons has been commissioned to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the mysterious fraternity, which is thought to exert influence over various commercial and societal elements of public life. A four part-series, from UK indie Emporium Productions, will broadcast on […]
US-UK comedy coproduction Episodes will end after a fifth season. The show’s US broadcaster, premium cable channel Showtime, revealed the news on Twitter. It’s a Hollywood ending! The fifth and final season of #Episodes will come to @Showtime in 2017. pic.twitter.com/lti0SG1IyG — Episodes (@SHO_Episodes) April 11, 2016 The final season will go out in 2017, […]
