The multi-year exclusive partnership sees the launch of Kay’s own label, Observatory Pictures, which will coproduce with New Pictures all new content created by Kay. All3Media International will be the worldwide distribution partner.
The deal announced today builds on the successful relationship formed through production of BAFTA-winning The Long Shadow (ITV/ITVX), which was created and written by Kay and produced by New Pictures. The partnership will allow Kay, working closely with New Pictures CEO Willow Grylls and Executive Producer Matt Sandford, to focus on creating and show-running ambitious, commercially successful high-end drama series for streamers and broadcasters in the UK and internationally.
George Kay said: “This new partnership affords me the opportunity to create ambitious new shows and the freedom to secure the most suitable platform for each of them. Willow is a fantastic producer, and I look forward to continuing the great relationship I formed with her and the New Pictures team on The Long Shadow. I can’t think of a better partner. And I’m thrilled to have the backing of Jane, Sara and Louise at All3Media and All3Media International.”
Willow Grylls, Co-Founder and CEO, New Pictures added TBC: “George is a phenomenally talented writer who I’ve been lucky to work with on the BAFTA-winning The Long Shadow. As a screenwriter, he has an acute gift for character and storytelling, as a showrunner, an incredible ability and ambition to produce internationally defining shows that resonate with a global audience. I’m absolutely thrilled to be forming this unique and innovative partnership with him and All3. Backing new and established creative talent is at the heart of everything we do at New Pictures.”
Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, added: “From Lupin and Criminal, Litvinenko to The Long Shadow and Hijack, George has written and co-created award-winning scripted series that have travelled the world. At All3Media, our focus is on quality – in both the programmes that we produce and the creative talent behind those shows - so I am delighted that George is partnering with New Pictures and All3Media to produce and distribute all of his new shows. He is a prolific and exceptionally talented showrunner, a master storyteller at the very top of his game. His track record of hits speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to working with George on his strong slate of exciting new projects.”
George Kay is the co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Emmy Award nominated Apple TV+ returning series Hijack, starring Idris Elba. He also created and wrote the Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated and Critics Choice award winner Lupin, starring Omar Sy, for Netflix. His other work includes BAFTA-winning series The Long Shadow and Litvinenko, which both aired on ITVX, and the International Emmy nominated Netflix show Criminal, which has three European adaptations alongside the UK series, Stag (BBC2) (which he co-created, co-wrote and produced), My Mad Fat Diary (Channel 4) for which he wrote and Associate Produced Season 3, together with writing opening season episodes of Killing Eve, The Hour and The Tunnel (SKY Atlantic).
New Pictures’ growing number of critically acclaimed shows includes latest series The Long Shadow (ITV/ITVX) and Champion (BBC1/Netflix), alongside returning seasons of hit shows such as Dalgliesh (Channel 5). As well as the recently announced ITV series Protection, from Kris Mrksa, and BBC series Crongton, the company is currently in production and development on multiple projects for streamers and broadcasters worldwide. New Pictures recently announced a partnership with actor Kit Harington (Game of Thrones, Testament of Youth, Criminal) and writer Daniel West’s (Gunpowder, Top Boy) production company Thriker Films on a new eight-part thriller Empire of Dirt.
The deal to set up Observatory Pictures and partner with New Pictures and All3Media was brokered by Willow Grylls at New Pictures and Joe Phillips at Curtis Brown.