Dare appoints Head of Scripted Development

Dare Pictures has appointed Cassandra Johnson-Bekoe to the newly created position of Head of Scripted Development.

Reporting directly to Dare’s CEO Derren Lawford, Johnson-Bekoe will focus on developing the company’s scripted slate, as well bringing with her an original slate of IP and working on new drama and film projects, with a view to taking them from pitch to commission, with a particular emphasis on the US and African markets. She will also be engaging with agents to identify and develop relationships with emerging and established storytelling talent to bolster the slate.

A writer, producer and script editor, she was previously Senior Development Executive at 59%, (Daniel Kaluuya’s production company) overseeing the company’s slate and generating new IP across international and regional markets. Prior to this she worked in scripted development. Her production credits include Ted Lasso S2 (WarnerBros/Apple+), Riches (Greenacre Films for ITV), Secret Invasion (for Marvel Studios) and The Chemistry of Death (Cuba Pictures Ltd, for Paramount+).

Johnson-Bekoe has also co-founded two collectives – ‘Black Women in Scripted’ which currently boasts over 300 members – a mix of established and award-winning writers, producers, executives, as well as new industry talent, and ‘The Colab’, a diverse network for industry professionals with over 250 members.

Derren Lawford, Founder & CEO, Darfe Pictures said: “This has been a year in the making and well worth the wait. We’ve been quietly acquiring life rights, optioning books and articles with a view to creating international and impactful dramas and films, so securing someone of Cassandra’s calibre and dynamism provides us with the perfect opportunity to accelerate our presence in scripted genres. She has a truly impressive network of contacts in the UK, America and Africa and has already secured unique access to some incredibly powerful and distinctive stories for DARE which we’re really excited to see develop over the coming months. Suffice to say that we’re delighted to welcome her into the Dare Pictures family.”

Cassandra Johnson-Bekoe commented: “Derren has paved the way for many successful and innovative creatives in the industry. I am proud to say I am one of these creatives; and bestowing the opportunity of Head of Scripted Development for DARE Pictures to me, further establishes this legacy. I am truly looking forward to this next chapter – through my entrepreneurship and true passion for Scripted, we are going to create subversive and revolutionary content.”