Lupin Creator George Kay Partners with All3Media’s New Pictures

George Kay, the creator, writer and showrunner behind global drama hits such as Hijack (Apple TV+) and Lupin (Netflix), has partnered with All3Media’s New Pictures to launch Observatory Pictures.

Through a multiyear exclusive partnership, Kay’s Observatory Pictures will co-produce with New Pictures all new content created by Kay. All3Media International will be the worldwide distribution partner.

The new partnership follows on the relationship formed through the production of the BAFTA-winning The Long Shadow (ITV/ITVX), which was created and written by Kay and produced by New Pictures.

The pact will allow Kay, working closely with New Pictures CEO Willow Grylls and Executive Producer Matt Sandford, to focus on creating and showrunning “ambitious, commercially successful high-end drama series” for streamers and broadcasters in the U.K. and internationally.

Kay is co-creator, writer, and executive producer of the Emmy Award-nominated Apple TV+ returning series Hijack, starring Idris Elba. He also created and wrote the Golden Globe- and BAFTA-nominated Lupin, starring Omar Sy, for Netflix. Alongside The Long Shadow, his other work includes Litvinenko, which also aired on ITVX, and the International Emmy-nominated Netflix show Criminal, which has three European adaptations alongside the U.K. series, as well as Stag (BBC Two), My Mad Fat Diary (Channel 4) and writing opening season episodes of Killing Eve, The Hour and The Tunnel (Sky Atlantic).

Kay said: “This new partnership affords me the opportunity to create ambitious new shows and the freedom to secure the most suitable platform for each of them. Willow is a fantastic producer, and I look forward to continuing the great relationship I formed with her and the New Pictures team on The Long Shadow. I can’t think of a better partner. And I’m thrilled to have the backing of Jane, Sara and Louise at All3Media and All3Media International.”

Grylls, co-founder and CEO of New Pictures, added: “George is a phenomenally talented writer who I’ve been lucky to work with on the BAFTA-winning The Long Shadow. As a screenwriter, he has an acute gift for character and storytelling, as a showrunner, an incredible ability and ambition to produce internationally defining shows that resonate with a global audience. I’m absolutely thrilled to be forming this unique and innovative partnership with him and All3. Backing new and established creative talent is at the heart of everything we do at New Pictures.”

Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, added: “From Lupin and Criminal, Litvinenko to The Long Shadow and Hijack, George has written and co-created award-winning scripted series that have traveled the world. At All3Media, our focus is on quality—in both the programs that we produce and the creative talent behind those shows—so I am delighted that George is partnering with New Pictures and All3Media to produce and distribute all of his new shows. He is a prolific and exceptionally talented showrunner, a master storyteller at the very top of his game. His track record of hits speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to working with George on his strong slate of exciting new projects.”