Will Macdonald and David Granger, the original founders of indie, Monkey, have launched a new production company, idle Industries.
idle Industries will develop high-end unscripted formats for both UK and global audiences with support from BBC Studios in return for first look distribution rights on those formats.
Prior to starting idle, Macdonald and Granger headed up Monkey, which they founded in 2000 and which went on to be acquired by NBCUniversal. The company created over 120 different titles and gained more than 100 award nominations, with multiple wins at the BAFTAs, RTS and International Emmys.
The duos credits include Made In Chelsea, Don’t Hate The Playaz, The Charlotte Church Show, Generation Drag, Know Your SH!t, The Emily Atack Show, Elton John: Me, Myself & I, Young, Dumb & Living Off Mum, The Question Jury, Make My Day, Swag, The House Of Obsessive Compulsives, Newlyweds: The First Year, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush, and TFI Friday.
Macdonald and Granger said: “idle Industries continues our unrelenting desire to create new entertainment in all its daft, wonderful and ever-evolving forms. Working closely with major and upcoming talent on and off screen we’ll always prioritise story-telling, exceptional casting, originality, humour and high production values whatever the budget, genre or form.
“And we can’t think of better partners to help us do that than the fabulous people at BBC Studios. Just to be very un-British for a second, we are pumped and psyched.”
Kate Ward, Managing Director, Unscripted Productions, BBC Studios said: “Will and David have a great history of producing top class unscripted formats. We’re delighted to be partnering with them and look forward to seeing what imaginative new titles they deliver.”
The deal was brokered on behalf of BBC Studios by Daniel Thomas, Head of Commercial and Acquisitions.
Jon Creamer
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