Lionsgate UK has boosted its television presence by taking a stake in Andrea Calderwood and Gail Egan’s Potboiler Television.
Lionsgate will partner with the producers on their television slate and has also signed a first-look deal for global distribution of Potboiler’s television product.
Calderwood and Egan are well known film producers, with credits including The Last King of Scotland, and The Constant Gardener. They recently launched Potboiler Productions’ drama offshoot Potboiler Television.
The deal marks the latest step in US film and TV producer/distributor Lionsgate’s expansion into the television business. In the UK, the company has recently invested in production companies Primal Media and Kindle Entertainment, co-financed the Channel 4 comedy Damned and former ITV head of drama Steve November as Creative Director of UK Television.
Lionsgate and Potboiler Productions have previously collaborated on several film projects including Alan Rickman’s A Little Chaos, Trespass Against Us, and A Most Wanted Man.
Zygi Kamasa, CEO of Lionsgate’s European office commented, "Lionsgate UK has a reputation for boldly supporting British product and talent, investing more in its home territory than any other distributor. This partnership with Andrea and Gail, two renowned film and television producers, and the Potboiler team deepens that commitment and extends both companies’ diversification into scripted television product created for a global audience."
The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Executive Vice President TV Operations & Corporate Development Laura Kennedy and Alexandra Keen, Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs together with Reno Antoniades and Oliver Shipton for Potboiler. Consultant Marc Lorber brought the deal into Lionsgate UK.
Staff Reporter
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