Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund has invested in the Glasgow-based independent production company Freedom Scripted.
Founded in 2018 by former BBC, STV and World Productions development producer Mike Ellen, Freedom Scripted focuses on high end contemporary drama. Developments include an adaptation of Sarah Moss’ critically acclaimed novel Summerwater by John Donnelly; Southside, a Glasgow set crime thriller from writer Raisah Ahmed and Berlin based showrunning team HaRiBos; and Unseen, a take on invisibility from Welsh writer Alan Harris.
Head of Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund Caroline Murphy said: “Mike has a proven track record having been involved in some of the biggest TV drama during his career spanning more than 20 years. Freedom Scripted is at a really exciting moment in its journey and I’m delighted Mike’s company is joining the Indie Growth Fund. Our investment will provide the opportunity to make some key hires and take this business onto the next level.”
Ellen, ceo and creative director at Freedom Scripted, said “Having built a strong slate of dramas with writers we love and with much more to come, I’m confident this investment will enable us to go to the next level and produce entertaining and talked about shows we can be proud of from all of the UK.”
Before founding Freedom Scripted Mike was scripted head of Development at indie On The Corner and at Alex Rider producers Eleventh Hour. He was previously part of the team at the BBC which green-lit a host of hit shows including Murder, Peaky Blinders, Wallander and Shetland. During his time there he also produced fifty episodes of long-runner River City. At STV Mike worked as script editor on iconic Scottish dramas Taggart and Rebus as well as the BAFTA winning High Times.
The addition of Freedom Scripted takes the current portfolio of companies in the Channel 4 IGF to 18, with ten companies having joined since 2020.
Pippa Considine
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