BBC Studios Comedy Taps Development Head

Chris Sussman, BBC Studios’ head of comedy, has named James Farrell head of development at the BBC’s commercial TV production division, effective immediately.

Farrell will have oversight of the development slate of projects for new audiences and channels as well as the BBC. He began his career as script editor for BBC Comedy before becoming a development producer. His production credits include Mrs Brown’s Boys, Our Ex-Wife and Crims, among others.

Sussman remarked: “James has a great editorial eye and an uncanny ability to attract the best talent in the business. As BBC Studios begins its exciting future, he’s going to play a key role in growing our development slate and building relationships with new broadcasting partners.”

Farrell added: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be taking the comedy development reins at such an exciting time for BBC Studios, and indeed such an exciting time to be making television. And I look forward to turning Chris Sussman’s strong and stable leadership into a coalition of chaos….”