Newen launches UK indie with Gub Neal

France’s Newen is to launch a new UK production company, Ringside Studios, with producer Gub Neal and production house DoveTale Media.

Ringside Studios is majority owned by Newen, with both Gub Neal and DoveTale Media owning stakes in the business.

Gub Neal’s credits include dramas The Fall and The Last Enemy. Insoupçonnable (Léonis production for TF1), the French adaptation of The Fall, is one of the most successful dramas in France. Gub Neal also produced and commissioned dramas for Granada TV and Channel 4 including Cracker and Queer as Folk. He also won a Primetime Emmy for Prime Suspect. Edward Barlow, Commercial and artistic manager, also joins Ringside Studios and will work with Gub Neal on creative projects.

Ringside Studios will develop high-quality English and international dramas, which may be distributed by Newen.

Ringside Studios already has several projects under advanced development within Newen, including Oksa Pollock, which has been sold in 30 countries, co-produced with Jean-Benoit Gillig (Leonis).

Romain Bessi, Managing Director of Newen, said: “With the creation of Ringside Studios, Newen continues to develop its strong international presence. The highly-regarded British fiction market is an important part of our growth strategy and it is essential that we develop a presence there. With Gub Neal, we have the opportunity to work with a talented producer who already has strong creative ties with Newen, while offering other English-speaking talents the opportunity to join our ambitious creative ecosystem.”

Gub Neal, Creative Director of Ringside Studios, added: “Never has there been a more exciting or timely opportunity to join forces with leading European media hub Newen; and work with Newen’s teams in building a new drama powerhouse in London. The ability to attract top English talent with such strong European backing is a wonderful prospect, and a truly rewarding venture that I am thrilled to be part of.”