Drama Specialist Euston Films Sets Up New Hub

LONDON: Euston Films, part of FremantleMedia UK, has created Euston North, a new regional hub based in Manchester.

The new offices will be led by Hilary Martin, the former BBC head of Drama North. Simon Judd, former development executive at BBC Drama North, is joining Martin as head of development. The team at Euston North will work to further establish Euston Films—which was rebooted in 2014 by Kate Harwood, who spent more than 15 years working at the BBC—as a leading force in modern TV drama.

The indie is currently in preproduction on Hard Sun, a new six-part drama series for BBC One, written by Neil Cross (Luther).

Harwood, the managing director of Euston Films, commented: “It’s an incredibly exciting and dynamic period for Euston Films. By establishing a Manchester-based office, we are intending to tap into the great drama talent that exists in the north and to work closely with writers and creatives with whom Hilary and Simon have a strong connection. Hilary has an unbeatable reputation and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the label. I am delighted that she and Simon will be joining the team.”

Martin, the head of Euston North, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Kate and FremantleMedia to establish Euston North as a magnet for both established world-class talent and the showrunners of tomorrow.”

Interim CEO of FremantleMedia UK, Richard Holloway, commented: “Producing quality drama with international appeal is key to our business strategy, and the creation of Euston North will help us to exploit those plans more fully. We have ambitions to grow Euston Films into one of the leading drama producers in the U.K., and BBC One’s commission of Euston Films’ Hard Sun is testament to the immensely creative and talented people we are working with to achieve this.”