Kudos EP Sets Up New Drama Venture

LONDON: Derek Wax, executive producer at Kudos, is setting up his own indie drama company, Wild Mercury, within Endemol Shine Group.

Wild Mercury will tap into Kudos’s production infrastructure but will be run independently by Wax. The new venture’s first project is Troy: Fall of a City for BBC One. David Farr’s retelling of the Trojan War will be produced in association with Kudos.

The venture is in development on an adaptation of Robert Harris’s trilogy of political thrillers set in Ancient Rome, also with Kudos, and several contemporary dramas. Wax will also continue to exec produce Kudos’s Humans II, currently in production.

Wax has been with Kudos since 2005, having worked on Humans, The Hour, Lip Service, Tsunami the Aftermath and Capital, among others. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for original drama, and the autonomy Wild Mercury brings makes this a thrilling new chapter for me,” Wax said. “Working alongside the wonderful Kudos family, I look forward to creating bold, original dramas with the best writing talent on projects which will truly resonate with audiences in the U.K. and around the world.”

Diederick Santer, CEO of Kudos, said, “Derek is one of the most in-demand and talented creatives in TV drama, so we’re delighted that as he kicks off Wild Mercury, Kudos is able to continue working with him, building on our ten-year association. We look forward to a whole new wave of extraordinary drama.”

Richard Johnston, CEO of Endemol Shine UK, added, “Wild Mercury Productions further complements the Endemol Shine Group scripted stable. Derek is an immense talent and it is going to be incredibly exciting to see what the new venture will produce.”