Heyday Television has hired Tom Winchester as President of Heyday Television UK.

The former Creative Director of DNA Films and TV will join David Heyman’s joint venture with NBCUniversal International Studios in January. Winchester will work closely with Heyman to grow Heyday Television’s slate of high-end scripted series and will lead the UK business.

This winter Heyday Television will begin production on The Capture, a contemporary conspiracy thriller for BBC One that responds to the troubling world of misinformation, fake news, and the extraordinary technological capabilities of the intelligence services. The Capture is written and directed by Ben Channan and will star Holliday Grainger and Callum Turner.

Heyday Television is also behind the upcoming BBC One adaptation of Andrea Levy’s beloved book The Long Song starring Tamara Lawrence, Hayley Atwell and Jack Lowden. The US arm of Heyday Television began production in October on The InBetween, a suspenseful character driven procedural drama for NBC.

Winchester is currently producing Shogun, a ten-part limited series for FX based on the international bestseller written by James Clavell. Shogun will be directed by Tim Van Patten and is described by FX as their largest scale international production to date.

Winchester joined DNA Films in 2014 to set-up the TV department through a first-look deal with the FOX Network Group. During Winchester’s tenure as Creative Director, DNA Films and TV achieved greenlights for three productions; Black Narcissus for the BBC, Devs also for FX, and Shogun.

In addition to these productions Winchester developed projects with writers including John Hodge, Bryan Elsley, Danny Brocklehurst, Richard Warlow, David Wolstencroft, Dominic Mitchell, Hilary Mantel and Philippa Goslett.

Heyman and Winchester’s first hire for Heyday Television is Anna Hargreaves, who will serve as Development Executive. Hargreaves previously worked at Sky Drama for three years as Development Editor.

Heyman said: “From my first meeting with Tom I felt strongly that we shared a creative vision. I am excited about the future and building the company together.”

Winchester added: “I don’t think there are many people in the UK or US who don’t know and love David’s work. His taste and talent relationships are second to none and it is an absolute honour to be joining him and NBCUniversal as they embark on the next stage of their joint-venture into television.”

Jeff Wachtel, President, NBCUniversal International Studios said: “With Tom leading the UK Heyday team, we look forward to even more smart, ambitious, quality television from this world-class production company.”

Before joining DNA Films Winchester worked as Head of Development for Bentley Productions, overseeing the production of three series of Midsomer Murders.  Prior to this Winchester was Script Editor and Co-Producer on ITV Studios’ Lewis and developed ITV’s hit spin-off Endeavour. Earlier in his career Winchester worked in development at Mammoth Screen, Tiger Aspect and Hat Trick Productions.

In 2004 Tom was part of a small team who developed and produced the 2005 winner of The Academy Award winning Best Foreign Language feature Tsotsi.

Jon Creamer

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