Anil Gupta joins Sky Studios to head comedy

Writer and producer Anil Gupta has joined Sky Studios as Creative Director for original comedy in the UK.

Focussing on in-house production, Gupta will work with new and established talent to develop scripted comedy projects for Sky Studios.

Gupta’s credits include Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at No. 42, Citizen Khan and comedy drama Mutual Friends. As Executive Producer he helped create global hit The Office, for which he won two BAFTA TV Awards and was Emmy-nominated. Outside of television, Gupta co-wrote a modern-day adaptation of Molière’s Tartuffe for the RSC and co-created the popular BBC Radio 4 comic fantasy series ElvenQuest, starring Stephen Mangan.

Gupta’s remit to develop in-house projects forms part of Sky Studios’ ambition to increase investment in both in-house and commissioned comedy from the UK’s indie sector. Gupta will report to Jon Mountague, Sky Studios’ Director of Comedy, working closely with Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK.

Anil Gupta, Creative Director of Comedy at Sky Studios, said: “It is an exciting time to join Sky Studios as it increases its ambition to produce more original scripted comedy. I can’t wait to get working with our best writers and performers, as well as uncovering the next generation of great British comedy talent. Mostly from my spare bedroom.”

Jon Mountague, Director of Comedy at Sky Studios, said: “Sky Original comedy has really been on a roll recently and we’re doing more! Anil’s reputation speaks for itself. A unique ability to spot and nurture talent as well as his eye for a brilliant script, make him the perfect person to lead our in-house creative development. Sky Studios works with the best indies and producers in the country and Anil compliments them perfectly. We aim to get bigger, better and funnier – cementing Sky’s place as the home of comedy.”