BBC Studios has announced the creation of a new scripted production label called River Pictures.
Led by Andrew Morrissey and Michael Parke, the new BBC Studios label will have offices in both Liverpool and London.
The label will be part of BBC Studios scripted production division and both Morrissey and Parke will report into BBC Studios President of Scripted Productions, Mark Linsey.
At BBC Studios, Morrissey and Parke executive produced Jimmy McGovern’s BAFTA winning series Time and RTE hit Smother. In 2024 they have two big commissions coming to screen: Irish crime series Blackshore for RTE alongside the factual drama Kidnapped for BBC Three which tells the story of Chloe Ayling, a British model who was abducted in Italy in 2017, and faced disbelief and cynicism from media and public alike before her captors were finally jailed.
Mark Linsey, President Scripted Productions said: “Andrew and Michael are two incredibly talented storytellers who can deliver authentic, complicated stories that have impact in a way that is thought provoking and always accessible to a wide audience. Aside from their current productions they have an exciting slate of titles and I can’t wait to see it coming to fruition under their new label.”
Andrew Morrissey and Michael Parke said: “We’re very proud of the shows we have made with the team at BBC Studios and hugely excited for this new chapter and the commitment to making bold, ambitious, and characterful drama in an environment that is creatively supportive. Having a base in Liverpool, as well as London, will allow us to build on the strong creative relationships we have established in the Northwest when making Time and Kidnapped. We can’t wait to get going.”
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