STUDIOCANAL has appointed Paul Gilbert as the Senior Vice President of English-Language Series. He will be based in London and reporting to Managing Director of Television M-K Kennedy.
Under her leadership, Gilbert will spearhead the development and production of a slate of premium series hailing from the UK and US, which STUDIOCANAL will produce via its recently launched in-house producing arm. Additionally, he will work closely with STUDIOCANAL’s production companies, Urban Myth Films, The Picture Company, SunnyMarch, Strong Film & TV, Birdie Pictures, and the recently announced Brock Media.
Gilbert is executive producing STUDIOCANAL’s recently announced Channel 4 & CANAL+ commissioned political thriller Army of Shadows written by Ronan Bennett and Apollo Has Fallen currently in production for the studio, Apollo Has Fallen is the second instalment of the global hit CANAL+ commissioned “Has Fallen” franchise.
Previously Gilbert was a Commissioning Editor for Sky Studios, executive producing a raft of series such as Joe Barton’s BAFTA-award-winning The Lazarus Project and up-coming mini-series Amadeus, A Town Called Malice, Tin Star and The Fear Index. Before that he produced Mike Bartlett’s journalism series, Press, for the BBC & Masterpiece, and Humans for Channel 4 & AMC. He was previously Head of Drama Development at Big Talk Productions, and an in-house Development Producer at BBC Drama Production and BBC Drama Northern Ireland, driving a range of acclaimed original series, serials and singles.
M-K Kennedy, Managing Director of STUDIOCANAL Television comments “I am delighted that Paul has joined us. His outstanding taste, sharp story instincts, and deep relationships in the UK creative community make him an invaluable addition to our team. He will play a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of our English-language production arm and will provide thought-partnership and support for the producers under the STUDIOCANAL umbrella.”
Paul Gilbert says “STUDIOCANAL is synonymous with world-class storytelling, so joining at such a pivotal moment in its evolution is a privilege. With a growing global appetite for daring, premium English-language TV series, the opportunity to harness that demand through STUDIOCANAL’s unrivalled reputation – and ability to self-produce and finance – is irresistible. We want to be a powerhouse of audacious ideas, empowering the best writers, directors and producers to deliver the kind of series that audiences everywhere want to watch and talk about.”
Currently in development for STUDIOCANAL is Ronan Bennett’s ARMY OF SHADOWS (Channel 4) with cameras rolling on APOLLO HAS FALLEN (Prime UK) HIT POINT is in pre-production (UKTV).
Jon Creamer
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