Lookout Point Bolsters Production Team

The indie drama producer Lookout Point has made a series of appointments and promotions within its senior management team, including the hire of executives from ITV Studios and Sky.

Francis Hopkinson, whose production credits include Wallander and DCI Banks, is joining Lookout Point as executive producer. He will not only build and develop his own slate of original dramas, but will also produce Lookout Point’s upcoming production of A Suitable Boy, Andrew Davies’s adaptation of Vikram Seth’s epic novel, for the BBC. Additionally, Hopkinson will assume a senior role alongside Faith Penhale, Danny Cohen, Simon Vaughan and Helen Jackson as part of the core team for Benchmark Television. Hopkinson joins Lookout Point from ITV Studios, where he has served as creative director for the last five years.

Louise Mutter joins Lookout Point’s senior management team as head of production. She has been serving as head of production for scripted at Sky.

Laura Lankester, currently head of development, will continue to be on the senior management team and be promoted to executive producer and director of development, and will serve as executive producer on productions such as A Suitable Boy. Will Johnston, currently development executive, becomes head of development and will oversee projects across the development slate. Stella Merz, currently development assistant, becomes development script editor and will script edit Shibden Hall and A Suitable Boy.

Hopkinson said: “I’ve had a great time at ITV but it is time for a new challenge and it doesn’t get much more exciting than the chance to bring Vikram Seth’s magnificent book to the screen. Lookout Point is a dynamic company and I am looking forward to working with the brilliant people there.”

Mutter commented: “After six years at Sky, culminating in delivering its biggest shows, including Riviera and the upcoming series of Tin Star and Britannia, I am really excited to be joining Lookout Point and being back on the floor with such a great slate of productions to get my teeth into. To join a company with such a unique mix of production, distribution and commissioning opportunities was too good to miss out on.”

Faith Penhale, joint CEO of Lookout Point, said: “We’re so excited that Francis and Louise, both with impeccable track records and a real breadth of experience, have chosen to join us on our journey as we continue to build Lookout Point and produce a bold and ambitious slate of drama. I’m also really proud to be promoting the next generation of creative leaders, Laura, Will and Stella, into new roles where they will flourish and continue to play a crucial role as we grow.”

Simon Vaughan, chairman and joint CEO of Lookout Point, added: “In the last 18 months, we have grown from being a financier and co-producer into a fully fledged and very active production company under Faith’s inspiring leadership. Attracting and nurturing the best talent is core to the future success of Lookout Point and these new appointments and promotions position us with enormous strength.”