Passion Pictures has recruited Jess Bird as Head of Development, alongside key additions to the development team, to focus on creating returnable series.
She joins from Blast Films where she developed an upcoming doc for a major streamer. She was previously Head of Development at Shine TV and Proper Content.
Bird has worked on titles that include Banged Up and The School That Tried to End Racism.
Joining Bird in the development team are Matt McGough and Holly Whiston, both stepping into Development Executive roles.
McGough joins from MultiStory, to strengthen the studio’s focus on premium returnable tv series, while Whiston returns to development following her role as Producer on Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, produced by Passion.
This newly structured team, led by Bird, working alongside Hamish Fergusson, Creative Director, and David Moulton, Managing Director, will look to grow Passion Pictures’ development slate of returnable series alongside feature documentaries (Super/Man), global series (Devil in the Family) and domestic documentaries (Kill List: Hunted by Putin’s Spies, Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy and Helmand: Tour of Duty).
Hamish Fergusson, Creative Director at Passion Pictures, said: “Jess’ appointment sharpens our focus on returnable television with purpose: authored, access-driven series that matter. With the kind of access, emotional storytelling and A-list talent Passion is known for, we’re building ambitious, character-led series that last. We’re also excited to welcome Matt and to have Holly return to development after her brilliant work on Devil in the Family. Led by Jess, this new team brings a keen eye and feel for what makes truly standout television.”
Passion has produced over 90 documentaries including the One Day in September, Searching for Sugarman, Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy, Wham! and AP Dhillon: First of a Kind.
Pippa Considine
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