BBC Studios Productions Australia acquires Werner Film Productions

Werner Film’s credits include hit drama The Newsreader for ABC, which was also broadcast on the BBC, and teen surfing drama Surviving Summer for Netflix.

The deal marks a significant investment by BBC Studios Productions Australia in the local production industry and provides Werner Film Productions with the backing of one of the world’s biggest global distributors as it grows its production of drama series for Australian and global audiences.

Werner Film Productions will continue to be led by Company Director Joanna Werner and Managing Director Stuart Menzies and will operate alongside BBC Studios’ local production arm as an independent label, with both companies producing their own projects.

Werner Film is currently in production on the third series of The Newsreader.

BBC Studios Productions Australia is currently in production on shows including local Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise, produced with Red Planet Pictures for ABC in association with the BBC; Dancing With the Stars for Seven Network and Top Gear Australia for Paramount + and Mastermind for SBS.

Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director of BBC Studios Productions Australia, said: “I’m excited to welcome Werner Film Productions into the family. Australia has an incredibly vibrant creative community and is producing shows that resonate around the world so it’s a great time to invest further to support our local production industry.”

Werner said: “We are absolutely thrilled to join the global powerhouse BBC Studios and the brilliant team at BBC Studios Productions Australia. Working with BBC Studios will help us continue to tell Australian stories on a larger canvas for audiences here and around the world.”