Magpie Pictures Bolsters Team

Magpie Pictures has appointed Matthew Kelly as business executive, while Claire Lindsay and Ree Evans will job-share a new development producer role.

The new roles, funded by Screen Australia enterprise business support, have been designed to build on the success of Magpie’s recent TV series Swift Street. Media and communications veteran Kelly will work alongside Lois Randall, founding producer, and Meredith Hussey, who was recently promoted to general manager.

Lindsay and Evans will be based at the company’s Northern Rivers’ (NSW) offices. Lindsay is an emerging producer with over a decade’s experience in First Nations and factual entertainment production, while Evans is an emerging development creative with over 25 years of experience in film, television production and script services.

Randall said, “These new appointments, and Meredith’s promotion, will build the development and production capacity of the company.

“Magpie Pictures produces bold and impactful scripted television. We are passionate about female-led, diverse and regional stories. Our ambition is to take audiences on a deep dive into a different point of view that will change the way they see the world. We have earned a reputation for our rigor in supporting creators to write with a fresh authentic voice, and we’re excited about our new slate, which includes highly distinctive original concepts from new and experienced writers and adaptations of works from Australian women novelists set in unique worlds.”

Randall added, “With enterprise business support, we aim to take advantage of new creative and market partnerships and opportunities to produce game-changing scripted series. We know it’s an increasingly competitive global market but we believe Magpie Pictures is offering something fresh and original. I thank Screen Australia for their support, and I’m thrilled to welcome the new team to Magpie Pictures.

“With our expanded team, Magpie Pictures is developing bold new projects to back up the success of Swift Street and our multi-award-winning children’s series Grace Beside Me. In an increasingly competitive global market, we believe Magpie Pictures’ offering is fresh and original.”