BBC Studios has invested in UK-based Samphire Films, taking a minority stake in the unscripted production company.
Samphire Films was founded in 2024 by Sophie Leonard, creator of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action and David Hodgkinson, former Commissioning Editor at BBC Documentaries.
Announcing the investment, BBC Studios said Samphire Films is in production on yet-to-be-announced large-scale factual formats and premium documentary projects for buyers in both the UK and USA.
Before co-founding Samphire Films, Leonard was Creative Director at production company Minnow Films where she exec produced over 200 hours of factual television including Special Forces World’s Toughest Test (Fox), SAS: Who Dares Wins and Celebrity Who Dares Wins (C4), Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies and Scandal, and Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action (Netflix).
Hodgkinson’s commissions at BBC Documentaries included Lucan. Previously he was Creative Director at Blast Films overseeing series including BAFTA award-wining Liverpool Narcos (Sky Documentaries) and Missing Dead or Alive (Netflix).
The investment in Samphire adds to BBC Studios' investment portfolio, which includes House Productions (Conclave, Sherwood), Clerkenwell Films (Baby Reindeer, End of the F***ing World), Sid Gentle Films (Extraordinary, Killing Eve) and Voltage (Tempting Fortune, Scoop, Inside The Factory).
Kate Ward, MD for Factual Productions at BBC Studios, said: “Sophie and David are the next generation of creative leaders and we are excited to be backing great British talent. They have a proven track record in delivering ambitious and compelling unscripted television spanning premium documentary to globally renowned factual formats.”
Leonard and Hodgkinson said: “We’re working with leading creative and commercial talent, building a forward-thinking production company to deliver groundbreaking programming that resonates with audiences globally. BBC Studios shares our commitment to innovation and creative excellence, and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Film and TV Charity launches 2026 Looking Glass Survey
Kicking off the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Film and TV Charity has launched the 2026 Looking Glass Survey to analyse staff wellbeing experiences in the industry.
Sky extends Formula 1 deal in UK, Ireland, and Italy
Sky and Formula 1 have struck a multi-year agreement for the exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 race weekends in the UK, Ireland, and Italy through the next decade.
Framestore promotes Theo Jones to Creative Director of AI
VFX giant Framestore has promoted Theo Jones to the newly created role, Creative Director of AI.
Bectu calls for government intervention in Paramount–WBD merger
Film and TV industry union Bectu has called for the government to intervene in the proposed merger between Paramount Global and WBD, warning that the deal risks increasing insecurity for creative workers and further concentrating media power in the UK.
Open letter urges UK government to back campaign against on-set injuries
Senior leaders from the film, TV, and theatre industries have come together to urge the UK government to support a campaign to prevent on-set injuries.
Registered users only: Login
