Working Title UK Taps Former BBC Exec for Comedy Post

Working Title Television UK has appointed Mark Freeland as head of television comedy.

Freeland will be based in London and will work closely alongside Andrew Woodhead, the managing director of Working Title Television. Freeland previously served as controller of fiction and entertainment at the BBC since 2014, leading the comedy, drama and entertainment production teams for BBC Studios. From 2007, Freeland was controller of comedy production at the BBC and at one time held the role of head of comedy commissioning at the BBC.

Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, co-chairmen of Working Title, said: “We are excited for Mark to join the team to complement Andrew Woodhead as we continue to expand our television business in the U.K. Working Title has a long history of producing great comedy with some of the best talent in the business and we look forward to working with Mark to build on that legacy.”

Freeland added: “Working Title has been behind some of the most original comedy storytelling ever dreamt up, including my favorite movie of all time. So I feel very lucky indeed joining such an iconic, creative company. To have been given a wonderful opportunity to build something special and work with the most exciting comedy talent in the U.K., getting their work produced here and abroad. And yes it is Fargo.”

Woodhead commented, “I am thrilled that Mark is joining us in our Working Title adventure. Comedy has been such a big part of Working Title’s success, so to be joined by someone of Mark’s caliber and experience is hugely exciting.”