ITV Studios Ups Stake in Apple Tree Productions

ITV Studios has increased its stake in the Danish production company Apple Tree Productions from 25 percent to 51 percent.

Apple Tree was founded by the International Emmy- and BAFTA Award-winning executive producer Piv Bernth (The Bridge, The Killing) and former DR deputy head of drama and producer Lars Hermann. The company has developed high-end drama series for both the Scandinavian market and global streamers.

Bernth and Hermann said: “We are so excited to be a closer part of the ITV Studios family. Working with them for the past three years has been extremely inspiring and rewarding. We hope that we, closer together now, can merge all our best efforts and make Scandinavian and international drama to viewers all over the world.”

Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, added: “The global appetite for the Nordics’ very distinctive style of storytelling has grown and grown, both within Denmark itself as well as globally, Piv, Lars and the team at Apple Tree Productions, have a fantastic reputation for bringing high quality, premium drama to the screen watched by Danish viewers as well as a global audience. I’m looking forward to the next chapter for ITV Studios and Apple Tree Productions.”

Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production at ITV Studios, added: “I’m very excited that Apple Tree will be part of the international scripted family. Expanding the international scripted footprint is very important to ITV Studios and this acquisition couldn’t be at a better time with Piv and Lars producing some of the best scripted content in the world right now. I’m looking forward to working with them.”