Endemol Shine UK Takes Stake in Douglas Road

LONDON: Endemol Shine UK has picked up a 50 percent stake in the production company Douglas Road, which was established last year by Lenny Henry and Barbara Emile.

The agreement will see Endemol Shine International taking on worldwide distribution for new IP created by Douglas Road. The company's recent credits include the Sky Arts doc When Lenny Got the Blues. Douglas Road also has a slate of projects in advanced development.

Henry commented, “Barbara and I are excited about our partnership with Endemol Shine. Our ambitions are to generate high-end drama, comedy and factual entertainment that truly resembles the world we inhabit. Douglas Road takes inspiration from the plethora of races, colors and creeds that co-exist in the British Isles today—these are cultures filled with drama, comedy, fun, excitement, magic, romance, sex and inspiration. Great stories waiting to be told! We look forward to working with the best of diverse British talent, both in front of and behind the camera.”

“The creative vision and track record of Lenny Henry and Barbara Emile and the progress they have made in a short space of time makes Douglas Road an extremely exciting company to partner with,” added Richard Johnston, CEO of Endemol Shine UK. “They complement the other brilliant producers in our group and we look forward to helping Douglas Road move on to their next chapter.”