BBC Studios Takes Full Ownership of Sid Gentle Films

BBC Studios has moved to full ownership of Sid Gentle Films, behind the hit drama Killing Eve.

The company was founded in 2013 by Sally Woodward Gentle, with Lee Morris and Henrietta Colvin. BBC Studios has been a 51 percent investor since 2018.

Sid Gentle Films’ productions include The Durrells for ITV, SS-GB for BBC One, Ragdoll for UKTV and AMC, Neil Gaiman’s Likely Stories for Sky Arts and four seasons of the BBC American original Killing Eve.

Tom Fussell, BBC Studios’ CEO, said: “I’m delighted to announce the full acquisition of Sid Gentle Films. Led by Sally Woodward Gentle and Lee Morris, Sid Gentle is home to unmissable returning hits. Best known for BAFTA-, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Killing Eve, the future slate is just as exciting.”

Woodward Gentle, CEO and founder of Sid Gentle Films, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to continue our journey with BBC Studios. They have been the most supportive, collaborative and creative partners. It is an honor to work with the most wonderful team at Sid and to feel a shared ambition and outlook with BBC Studios.”

Additionally, BBC Studios revealed that Mark Linsey, its most senior scripted executive, will relocate from London to work out of Los Angeles. This will place him geographically closer to key global content decision-makers as BBC Studios seeks to build further co-production, investment and commissioning opportunities for its scripted offer.

Linsey will retain his existing responsibilities and reports and continue to report to BBC Studios Productions CEO Ralph Lee.

Fussell said: “Under the leadership of Mark Linsey, previously BBC director of television and BBC Studios chief creative officer, we are investing in the U.K.’s most exciting talent and creative labels. I am thrilled to share today that Mark will relocate from London to L.A. to grow further BBC Studios’ commitment to the West Coast and our shared creative ambition.”

Linsey, managing director of scripted at BBC Studios Productions, added: “Taking our world-class portfolio of labels and units direct to the heart of the world’s largest English-language scripted market is a natural next step. I look forward to working closer than ever with U.S.-based colleagues and customers to fund and create unique new series for the world to enjoy.”