Element Pictures Hires for TV Development

Element Pictures, behind Oscar-nominated films such as The Favourite and Room, has appointed television executive Jonny Richards as head of TV development.

In the newly created TV-centric role, Richards will oversee Element Pictures’ continued push into television drama, expanding its development slate for the U.K., U.S. and international market. Previously, Richards was a drama commissioning executive at Channel 4 and spent six years at ITV Studios label Silverprint Pictures.

Richards will be based at Element Pictures’ London office and will report into Anna Ferguson, head of television.

Alongside its film production arm, Element Pictures is investing in the further expansion of its television drama activities. It is producing Normal People, an adaption of Sally Rooney’s global smash-hit novel. Currently filming in Dublin, the series will air on BBC Three and Hulu. In addition, Element Pictures is producing The Dublin Murders, along with Euston Films and Veritas, for BBC and Starz.

Richards said of his appointment: “I’ve long admired Element Pictures’ work and am delighted to be joining the company as it grows its original TV output. It’s a privilege to be working with Ed, Andrew, Anna and a team that is passionate about bringing unique voices to the screen.”

Ferguson and Ed Guiney, company director of Element Pictures, added: “We are incredibly proud of our achievements with our feature films, and we are excited to bring the same authentic and visually unique qualities to our television dramas. Jonny has an incredible development track record and a brilliant eye for discovering distinctive and engaging stories, so we are thrilled that he has joined the team to build our current slate and deliver world-class ambitious drama.”