Sky Atlantic Controller Elaine Pyke Joins New Pictures

LONDON: The brand-new production company New Pictures is launching today with a senior management team that includes Elaine Pyke, formerly the controller of Sky Atlantic, and Willow Grylls, who joins from Company Pictures.

Pyke had been with BSkyB as controller of Sky Atlantic, having overseen a 15-percent year on year increase in channel share and the move into original scripted drama. She was also previously the head of drama at Sky.

Grylls worked with Charlie Pattinson, the founder of New Pictures, when he launched Company Pictures in 1998.

New Pictures has a first-look distribution deal with all3media international.

Pattinson said: “I’m delighted to be launching New Pictures alongside two such talented executives. Elaine is an outstanding and inspirational television executive who has successfully pioneered Sky’s drama output both in the U.K. and internationally and having worked closely with Willow for 15 years I have long admired her creativity and energy and I’m thrilled that she is joining New Pictures at the start of what promises to be an exciting new venture for all of us.”

"I am delighted to be joining Charlie at New Pictures,” commented Pyke. “Running Sky Atlantic has been a fantastic experience. I leave behind me a great team with an exciting set of plans for a channel that we've grown to be one of the most popular in Sky's portfolio in a little more than two years since launch. I am sorry to be leaving Sky but looking forward to taking up a new challenge and returning to my first love of scripted drama."