Anton has brought on Fremantle alumni Sangeeta Desai and Sarah Doole to drive forward its expansion plans and launch a fully-fledged TV Production arm.
The new arm will replicate Anton’s “success as a disruptor in the film space” by creating a boutique, independent TV studio, delivering talent-driven content to global audiences. Alongside this, Anton will seek to attract leading creatives to launch diverse and ambitious scripted labels across Europe that have the opportunity to work with industry names across film and TV. The business will also look at direct, and first-look deals with established on- and off-screen talent.
Sebastien Raybaud said: “I’m delighted that Sangeeta and Sarah are joining Anton to launch and run our new TV arm. Their expertise, experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable. This move marks an important milestone in the development of the company.”
Sangeeta Desai added: “Anton has quickly gained a reputation for shaking up the way feature films are financed and produced, and I’m excited to explore how we can take advantage of Anton’s agility and flexibility to offer some of Europe’s best creatives the chance to realise their ambitions.”
Desai and Doole, who both worked closely at Fremantle to build the super indie’s scripted credentials, will form the senior management structure of the new arm. Sitting on the Anton Board, Desai, whose recent roles include Board Director at Boatrocker Media, CEO of OSN, as well as Global COO and CEO of Emerging Markets of Fremantle will spearhead the new business unit, overseeing strategy, operations, and business development, while Doole, founder and CEO of talent incubator Sow the Seed, former CEO of Red Productions and Director of Global Drama at Fremantle, will shape Anton’s content plans as Creative Director.
The pair are joined by Anton’s current VP, Production and Development, Jack Buckley, who has been promoted to Head of Development. The Gunpowder and Sky alum will oversee series co-productions and the new indie slates, while Millie Laubscher rounds up the current team as Development Assistant.
Headquartered in London, and with offices in Los Angeles, Paris and Berlin, the business has produced and/or financed over 400 titles since inception, including film franchises such as PADDINGTON, SHAUN THE SHEEP and GREENLAND, and high-end television including the BBC’s The Pursuit of Love, His Dark Materials, Gentleman Jack and Around The World in 80 Days. On the film side, recently, Anton developed, produced and financed the Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway-fronted MOTHERS’ INSTINCT, THE END WE START FROM, starring Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch, both of which will launch at festivals later this year, as well as the action thriller CANARY BLACK starring Kate Beckinsale and Rupert Friend. The highly anticipated revenge thriller FEMME starring George MacKay and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett will have its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival next month. This year will see a significant increase in the number of projects Anton develops, produces and finances with details announced later in the year.
Jon Creamer
Share this story
