Eleanor Lawrence has joined London-based production company Lucky 17, sister of talent agency UTC Artist Management, as partner and Head of Scripted to spearhead their move into original content creation.
Working closely with co-founders David Geli and Pollyanna McGirr, Lawrence will focus the creation of original IP across a range of platforms and broadcasters for both the UTC roster and her wider talent network, for the next stage of company expansion.
Lawrence joins from seven years in the US, where she worked as staff writer on projects such as Flack, starring Anna Paquin for Amazon TV; developed original content with Comedy Central, the Groundlings and The Public Theatre New York and where she has an ongoing script deal at ABC Studio/Ellen Pompeo’s production company, Calamity Jane, for her original sitcom The Barrenesses.
As a comedy writer and producer, her UK credits include Sunshine Simon, an original comedy for Sky Atlantic, co-created by Tom Davis and starring Paul Kaye, Mum’s Army with Arabella Weir, produced by Objective and White Lace and Promises, developed by ITV Studios, Soup with Meera Syal for Tiger Aspect / Channel 4 and Welcome to Rochdale for Baby Cow/ BBC Comedy North.
Lucky 17’s previous productions include Mo Gilligan’s Netflix special, Momentum, stand-up specials for fast rising stars such as Kae Kurd’s Kurd Your Enthusiasm and various podcast formats – including Dane Baptiste Questions Everything.
Lawrence’s hire signals a strategic push into production for the talent agency and her slate already includes scripted projects with BBC Three/Comedy Central star, Lola Jagun, and breaking comic, Ria Lina.
Lawrence said of the appointment: “My personal experience working in TV development as a female comedy writer performer has defined my mission to champion diverse talent, develop authored projects and ensure creatives have control over their own content. I am absolutely thrilled to be heading up the scripted department at Lucky 17, especially during such an exciting time for emerging talent. As a partner in this next generation company, we are fully committed to and passionate about nurturing untold stories from conception to fruition and beyond.”
Pollyanna McGirr said: “Eleanor has one of the most exceptional comedy minds. Her remarkable knowledge and celebrated passion for showcasing underrepresented voices and stories is phenomenal – and totally aligned with The UTC Group ethos to Discover, Develop and Produce next generation talent.”
David Geli said: “We have huge ambition Lucky 17. We want to showcase unique stories with global reach. Our entrepreneurial approach will cover everything from podcasts to scripted comedies, live show records to short form branded partnerships, whilst also investing in direct-to-consumer talent centred content. “Lawrence is a hugely exciting and highly creative name in the scripted space and we can’t wait to get moving with our busy slate.”
David Geli and Pollyanna McGirr founded The UTC Group in 2013. Both have worked extensively in broadcast prior to The UTC Group’s creation. Geli as crew, shooting across a range of scripted comedy, large scale entertainment and flagship factual formats. Pollyanna working as a Development Producer for leading industry figures including Kelly Webb Lamb, Emma Hardy and Natasha Bondy at both Princess Productions and Shine, before moving to BBC Comedy North with Rebecca Papworth. Executive Producer credits for both also include Momentum (Netflix), The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan (C4) and The Tez O’Clock Show (C4).
Jon Creamer
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