The Stage

Harries’ Left Bank Pictures forges links with BBC Worldwide

Published Thursday 10 May 2007 at 15:25 by Matthew Hemley

ITV Productions’ outgoing controller of drama, Andy Harries, has promised his new independent production company will produce “intelligent and popular” films and series for broadcasters both in the UK and abroad.

Harries, best known for producing Helen Mirren film The Queen, said his production company, Left Bank Pictures, would be led by a creative team that will “generate distinctive and talked-about ideas that will stand out in a crowded market place”.

The team includes Francis Hopkinson, formerly senior commissioning editor at Channel 4, as head of television and Marigo Kehoe, previously head of production at ITV Productions, as head of production.

Jenny Borgars, previously head of development fund at the UK Film Council, joins the company as head of film.

It has also been revealed that BBC Worldwide has bought a 25% stake in the new company, with BBC Worldwide director of independents Helen Jackson taking a seat on the Left Bank Pictures board.

The stake gives BBC Worldwide an exclusive first-look distribution deal on all of Left Bank Pictures’ television productions.

Harries said: “This is a tremendously exciting time to launch a new company. Although there is strong competition amongst producers, there is also a huge appetite for quality programming.

“We have assembled a creative team that I am confident can generate distinctive and talked-about ideas that will stand out in a crowded market place and I am very excited about the challenges ahead.”