BBC Studios Productions Unveils Fiction Division

BBC Studios is expanding its scripted content activities with the launch of BBC Studios Fiction and the appointment of Josh Cole as chief creative officer of fiction and comedy.

BBC Studios Productions will house the new BBC Studios Fiction division, led by Cole. Michael Parke and Andrew Morrissey will join BBC Studios Fiction from River Pictures as creative directors, while Siân O’Callaghan has been named as director of production for BBC Studios Fiction & Comedy.

BBC Studios Fiction will operate from London, Liverpool and Glasgow and complement BBC Studios Drama, led by Kate Oates; the scripted production labels Clerkenwell Films, Firebird Pictures, Sid Gentle Films, Lookout Point, House Productions and Baby Cow; and indies BBC Studios has stakes in.

Cole commented, “Building BBC Studios Comedy into a home for brilliant, genre-defining voices has been a joy, and now, creating BBC Studios Fiction and joining forces with Michael and Andrew means we can take that ambition and spirit to new creative horizons. It’s an exciting moment for us.”

Mark Linsey, managing director of scripted at BBC Studios, added, “This is a bold step forward for our scripted business. Under Josh’s leadership, BBC Studios Comedy has gone from strength to strength. BBC Studios Fiction allows us to build on that success and broaden our creative horizons. Welcoming Michael and Andrew, with their exceptional track record and compelling slate, is a fantastic boost to our ambitions.”