Plimsoll Productions has promoted of Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Mark Brownlow to Head of Natural History.
Brownlow steps into this position having previously served as Creative Director, succeeding Martha Holmes, who now serves a non-executive role on the company’s board.
In his new post, Brownlow will lead the division’s strategic and creative direction, steering its editorial vision and overseeing the department’s development group.
Since joining Plimsoll in 2023 as an executive producer, Brownlow was soon elevated to Creative Director of Natural History. Under his leadership, Plimsoll launched Disney+/National Geographic’s seven-part Emmy winning series Incredible Animal Journeys, narrated by Jeremy Renner. Brownlow’s upcoming slate includes Nightmares of Nature, a horror-nature hybrid developed with Blumhouse Television, Secret Garden (BBC One), Force of Nature (ITV), Horse Power (IMAX), and more.
Prior to joining Plimsoll, Brownlow spent more than 20 years at the BBC NHU, where he served as series producer for its Emmy and BAFTA-winning Blue Planet II and as executive producer for the follow-up Frozen Planet II, both narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Additional credits include Planet Earth (BBC) and Eden: Untamed Planet (BBC/AMC).
Award-winning director and producer Alex Ranken will take on Brownlow’s previous title of Creative Director of Natural History. Ranken has spent the last five years with Plimsoll, directing and producing across multiple series incuding the BAFTA-nominated and Jackson Wild Media Award-winning Tiny World for Apple and the four-time Emmy Award-winning A Real Bug’s Life for Disney+, for which he earned an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Live Action Series. Separately and recently, he also served as Series Director for Apple’s Wild Ones.
“Mark is, quite simply, one of the best wildlife filmmakers in the world and during his time at Plimsoll has proved himself to be an exceptional creative leader,” says Grant Mansfield, Founder and Chief Executive of Plimsoll Productions. “I’m delighted he’s agreed to lead our brilliant natural history department and really pleased that with him and Martha on the Plimsoll Board, the two of them will continue to work together as colleagues in their new roles.”
“Mark’s promotion is well deserved and part of a long-planned succession strategy,” says Holmes. “I can’t think of anyone better to step into this role; his creative energy, deep expertise and generosity as a leader make him a natural fit to guide the team forward.”
“It’s a rare privilege to lead a department with such rich talent and bold creative ambition. I’m grateful to Martha for her mentorship and proud to help carry forward Plimsoll’s legacy of innovation and excellence in natural history storytelling, added Brownlow. “Alex is an extraordinary talent – he’s a creative force and a rising star whose passion, innovation, and cinematic eye are reshaping the way we experience the natural world.”
Plimsoll Productions recently premiered the hybrid wildlife and factual entertainment format Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters (ITV) and is in production across multiple series including Nightmares of Nature with Blumhouse Television, Surviving Pompeii with Tom Hiddleston (Disney+/National Geographic), Are You My First? (Hulu) among many more.
Jon Creamer
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