Fremantle Takes Majority Stake in Dancing Ledge Productions

Fremantle has increased its stake in Dancing Ledge Productions to become the majority shareholder of the U.K.-based indie.

Dancing Ledge Productions (The Responder, The Salisbury Poisonings, Crossfire) was founded by CEO Laurence Bowen in 2016 with backing from Fremantle. Chris Carey joined as managing director and executive producer in March 2020.

The Disney+ Star UK romantic comedy action thriller series Wedding Season, penned by Oliver Lyttelton is in production at Dancing Ledge Productions, and the supernatural six-parter Domino Day is due for BBC Three next year.

The company has secured a second-season commission from BBC One for The Responder, which is due to go into production later this year.

Further, Carmel Burke, previously finance director at Dancing Ledge, has been promoted to chief operating officer and will work alongside Bowen and Carey to support the company’s continued growth. Burke joined the company in 2020, having previously held senior finance roles at BBC Studios, Sony and Banijay.

Laurence Bowen, CEO and founder of Dancing Ledge, said: “Chris and I are thrilled at the way Dancing Ledge has grown over the last few years, nurturing, championing and then producing work by the most exciting new voices in Britain. Authorship and authenticity are at the heart of what we do, and we wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without the unwavering support of Fremantle from day one. Expanding our relationship with Fremantle will allow us to continue to work with the amazing development, production and finance teams we have. We’re very excited about the future.”

Simon Andreae, U.K. CEO at Fremantle, added: “Laurence, Chris and their team have built a fantastic business, driven by an infectious passion, energy and commitment to their teams, their writers, their actors and their shows. It’s reflected in their entire portfolio, and we are delighted to welcome them as an even closer part of the family as they continue to grow and flourish.”

Jennifer Mullin, group CEO at Fremantle, said: “Fremantle is proud to invest and work with the very best creative minds in the business. Dancing Ledge are exceptional talents, all of whom take enormous pride in their work, which in turn inspires and entertains millions of people. We are thrilled to expand our partnership with them.”