Blast's Grant to head development at Twenty Twenty

Twenty Twenty has hired Seb Grant as the company’s Head of Development.

Grant joins Twenty Twenty from Blast! Films, where he oversaw the company’s US slate and originated shows for numerous broadcasters on both sides of the Atlantic, including Gold Dirty Rotten Cleaners (A&E) and Gold Rush: Our Race to Olympic Glory (BBC).

For the past five years, Grant held the role of Head of US Development at Blast! Films, where he helped build the company’s US slate and secured multiple commissions with Netflix, A&E, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, HGTV, Nat Geo Wild, MSNBC, History and Discovery.

Grant’s previous roles also include Head of US Development at NERD, and US Development Executive at Maverick. He has over 20 years’ experience in producing television on both sides of the Atlantic, winning awards for his work as both a Producer and Executive Producer, with credits including Hamlet and Macbeth (PBS, BBC, Private Lives of Pompeii (A&E), Chef Race (BBC America) and Midnight Feast (FYI).

Grant joins Twenty Twenty with immediate effect, reporting to Creative Director James O’Reilly, and the announcement follows the recent appointment of Ruth Kelly, who joined Twenty Twenty in July as Director of Programmes.

The hire comes in the wake of the company’s first commission for Disney+, the David Beckham-fronted SOS, a co-production with Studio 99; a successful launch of Teen First Dates (E4), the latest series of A House Through Time (BBC Two) which aired recently, the new series of First Dates (C4) which is on air currently, and the recent recommission of All That Glitters (BBC Two).

James O’Reilly, Twenty Twenty Creative Director, says: “Seb is a genuine creative with an outstanding track record in developing shows both in Britain and the US – I’m delighted he’s joining us at Twenty Twenty. His flair for development and in-depth knowledge of the international market will be invaluable assets as we continue to grow the company.”

Seb Grant says: “The international market has never felt so vibrant – and I can’t wait to begin this next adventure alongside Leanne, Jim and Ruth. Twenty Twenty’s programmes so often strike the right balance between heart and humour, purpose and playfulness that they’ve become a marker for all of us who develop shows. It will be a privilege to contribute and build on their exceptional work. It’s only right to also thank Blast! Films for the last six years – it’s been a wonderful, rewarding time where I’ve had the chance to work alongside so many outstanding creatives.”