Working Title Television UK has appointed former BBC controller of fiction and entertainment Mark Freeland as Head of Television Comedy.
Based in London, Freeland will work closely alongside Andrew Woodhead, Managing Director of Working Title Television.
During his time at the BBC, Freeland was a member of BBC Television Board, as well as leading key BBC partnerships, such as the BBC America/AMC Networks joint venture. Freeland also worked on Comic Relief, co-executive producing four Red Nose Days.
From 2007, Freeland was Controller of Comedy Production at the BBC, at the head of the In House team, delivering shows such as W1A, Inside No 9, Absolutely Fabulous and Jonathan Creek.
Freeland executive produced shows including The Wrong Mans, The Thick of It, Miranda, Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, Mrs Browns Boys, Citizen Khan, and Vic & Bob’s House of Fools.
Freeland was also Head of Comedy Commissioning in a previous spell at the BBC, commissioning series including The Catherine Tate Show, The Mighty Boosh, QI, Mock The Week, Little Britain, Pulling and Nighty Night.
In between these roles at the BBC, Freeland was a Producer at Hartswood Films and before that, Head of Original Programmes at Sky. Freeland started out at The Big Breakfast as a writer and producer.
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Co-Chairmen of Working Title said: “We are excited for Mark to join the team to complement Andrew Woodhead as we continue to expand our television business in the UK. .”
Mark Freeland added: “Working Title has been behind some of the most original comedy storytelling ever dreamt up, including my favourite movie of all time. So I feel very lucky indeed joining such an iconic, creative company. To have been given a wonderful opportunity to build something special and work with the most exciting comedy talent in the UK, getting their work produced here and abroad. And yes it is Fargo."
WTTV is a joint venture within the NBCUniversal International Studios group of companies, based in London and LA. As such, Freeland will also work closely with Michael Edelstein (President, NBCU International Studios) and JoAnn Alfano (EVP, Scripted, NBCU International Studios).
Staff Reporter
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