BBC Studios consolidates investment in Clerkenwell Films
BBC Studios agree deal with Murray Ferguson to take 100% stake in award-winning Indie producer of TV hits including Misfits, Lovesick and The End of the F***ing World.
Murray and his team have built Clerkenwell Films into a world-leading creative force in drama, with a reputation for delivering high-quality programmes, we are very proud to have been a partner early on and to be here today to strengthen that relationship further and build on our successes to date."
- BBC’s commercial arm reaches deal with Murray Ferguson to take 100% stake in award-winning Indie.
- Builds on 12-year partnership to develop future Clerkenwell hits.
BBC Studios and Murray Ferguson today announced that they have agreed a deal that sees BBC Studios increase its investment in multi-award winning film and television production company, Clerkenwell Films, becoming outright owner with a 100% stake. In doing so, it cements a decade-long relationship between the scripted indie and BBC Studios, which has resulted in a string of creative and commercial hits in the UK and around the world.
Founded in 1998 by Murray Ferguson, Clerkenwell Films has secured its reputation as one of the leading scripted producers in the UK, with award-winning, critically-acclaimed dramas such as Misfits, Lovesick and The End of the F***ing World. Clerkenwell frequently works with leading UK broadcasters and global SVOD players including Netflix and is currently developing a raft of new shows for the UK and international audiences including Baby Reindeer for Netflix and The Birth of Daniel F Harris for Channel 4.
The BBC’s commercial arm initially took a minority stake in the indie in 2008 before increasing its shareholding to 48% in 2017, with an option to move to full ownership. Today’s deal allows BBC Studios to further strengthen the creative partnership and continue to build Clerkenwell’s pipeline, which has garnered a reputation for delivering critically-acclaimed shows that appealing to young-skewing audiences.
Ferguson will continue as Chief Executive to oversee the transition before stepping down in Autumn 2021 when long-standing executive producer, Petra Fried, and Head of Production and Finance, Wim de Greef, will jointly lead the company.
Mark Linsey, BBC Studios' Chief Creative Officer, said: "Murray and his team have built Clerkenwell Films into a world-leading creative force in drama, with a reputation for delivering high-quality programmes that attract those elusive younger audiences and excellent relationships with broadcasters and platform operators. We are very proud to have been a partner early on in the company’s journey and to be here today to strengthen that relationship further and build on our successes to date."
Murray Ferguson, Founder and Chief Executive, Clerkenwell Films, added: “After a hugely fulfilling 22 years, growing Clerkenwell Films from a one-man operation to where it is today, I now feel ready to move on to new things. By leaving Petra and Wim at the helm I have every confidence that the unique culture of the company that I am so proud of will be preserved, and working closely with the great team at BBCS that Clerkenwell Films can go on to reach even greater heights in the future.”
BBC Studios builds bespoke partnerships with the UK independent production sector, tailoring deals to the needs and aspirations of each producer. It aims to support creativity and enable the development of new British IP that it can take out to the world. BBC Studios currently has equity stakes in 15 indies and represents content from over 200 others.
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For more information, please contact:
Hannah Bailey – hannah.bailey@bbc.com, Chris Charlton – chris.charlton@bbc.com
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in 22 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2500 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Amazon and China Mobile, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles. To the BBC, BBC Studios contributes both cash dividends and funds for programme-making, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences.