ITV Studios’ Mammoth Screen has named Emily Russell as Director of Production.

The news follows recent announcements that the indie has been commissioned to produce lunar thriller First Woman for ITV, supernatural drama The Witch Farm for BBC, series two of BAFTA nominated Code of Silence for ITV and Agatha Christie’s Endless Night for BBC / BritBox.

Russell takes over the role following Ronnie Castillo’s decision to step down after 14 years with the company.

She joins Mammoth Screen from Bad Wolf where she was Director of Production and oversaw scripted projects including Dr Who, Industry and The Other Bennet Sister. She worked for many years as a freelance line producer before joining Mammoth for the first time as a Production Executive working on The Serpent, War of the Worlds and Endeavour, as well supporting other projects in development. Following this role, she went on to become Director of Production at New Pictures, where she was responsible for projects including No Escape, Champion, The Long Shadow and Dalgliesh (the latter as Executive Producer).

Emily Russell says: “I’m excited to be back with the wonderful team at Mammoth Screen. They have proven themselves to be at the forefront of high end television dramas, working with tremendous talent in our industry and I can’t wait to get to work to support their continued success.”

Jon Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Mammoth Screen, adds: “The Mammoth family is thrilled to have Emily back in the fold, and we have a strong slate of ambitious dramas ready for her to get her teeth into. We also extend our enormous gratitude to Ronnie Castillo who has been an integral part of our journey for the past 14 years. Ronnie continues to look after First Woman which we are filming in Belfast this summer.”

Emily Russell’s arrival bolsters the Mammoth team further, following James Gandhi’s promotion to Executive Producer and Director of Development, Rebecca Durbin’s promotion to Executive Producer and the arrival from Left Bank Pictures of Ben Rosa as Production Executive.