Hijack creator, George Kay, is to set up a new label, Observatory Pictures, under the umbrella of All3Media-owned New Pictures.
The multi-year agreement with New Pictures and All3Media will see him co produce all his new projects with New Pictures with All3Media International on board as distributor.
As part of the deal, he will work closely with New Pictures’ CEO, Willow Grylls, and exec producer, Matt Sandford, on new projects.
Kay previously worked with New Pictures’ on his Yorkshire Ripper drama, The Long Shadow. His credits include Lupin, Litvinenko and Criminal.
George Kay said: “This new partnership affords me the opportunity to create ambitious new shows and the freedom to secure the most suitable platform for each of them. Willow is a fantastic producer, and I look forward to continuing the great relationship I formed with her and the New Pictures team on The Long Shadow. I can’t think of a better partner. And I’m thrilled to have the backing of Jane, Sara and Louise at All3Media and All3Media International.”
Willow Grylls, Co-Founder and CEO, New Pictures added TBC: “George is a phenomenally talented writer who I’ve been lucky to work with on the BAFTA-winning The Long Shadow. As a screenwriter, he has an acute gift for character and storytelling, as a showrunner, an incredible ability and ambition to produce internationally defining shows that resonate with a global audience. I’m absolutely thrilled to be forming this unique and innovative partnership with him and All3. Backing new and established creative talent is at the heart of everything we do at New Pictures.”
Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, added: “From Lupin and Criminal, Litvinenko to The Long Shadow and Hijack, George has written and co-created award-winning scripted series that have travelled the world. At All3Media, our focus is on quality – in both the programmes that we produce and the creative talent behind those shows – so I am delighted that George is partnering with New Pictures and All3Media to produce and distribute all of his new shows. He is a prolific and exceptionally talented showrunner, a master storyteller at the very top of his game. His track record of hits speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to working with George on his strong slate of exciting new projects.”
George Kay is the co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Emmy Award nominated Apple TV+ returning series Hijack, starring Idris Elba. He also created and wrote the Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated and Critics Choice award winner Lupin, starring Omar Sy, for Netflix. His other work includes BAFTA-winning series The Long Shadow and Litvinenko, which both aired on ITVX, and the International Emmy nominated Netflix show Criminal, which has three European adaptations alongside the UK series, Stag (BBC2) (which he co-created, co-wrote and produced), My Mad Fat Diary (Channel 4) for which he wrote and Associate Produced Season 3, together with writing opening season episodes of Killing Eve, The Hour and The Tunnel (SKY Atlantic).
Jon Creamer
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