Banijay Backs New Scripted Indie

Banijay Group has added the new scripted label BlackLight Television to its U.K. division.

BlackLight is founded by Phil Trethowan and Ben Bickerton, whose producing credits include Being Human, The Curse of Steptoe and, most recently, Ellen for Channel 4/Touchpaper. In 2017, BlackLight Television will be running Channel 4’s Coming Up scheme, as well as producing the new talent scheme 4 Stories, a three-part serial to be written and directed by the best diverse talent in the country.

Trethowan and Bickerton said: “At BlackLight we want to make television that stands out and has to be watched, dramas that are entertaining, engaging and thought-provoking…. We are always excited by the endless possibilities of storytelling.”

Peter Langenberg, COO of Banijay Group, said: “We’re thrilled to help bring BlackLight TV into existence as we expand the Banijay UK scripted family; our ambition is to create a thriving entrepreneurial environment for talented people and we are absolutely delighted that Ben and Phil, two of the U.K.’s leading scripted producers, have decided to be a part of our vision.”

Takis Candilis, the head of fiction at Banijay Group, added: “The launch of Blacklight TV marks the beginning of Banijay’s expansion in the scripted arena as we significantly increase our capacity to produce drama, not only in our existing territories but also beyond. We’re thrilled to be able to offer all the strength and support of the Banijay Group to new talent such as BlackLight TV.”