Dragonfly Alum Boards Lightbox Development Team

Lightbox, the factual production company founded by Emmy-winning producers Simon and Jonathan Chinn, has appointed Ben Samuel as the creative director of development.

In his new role, Samuel will oversee Lightbox’s development strategy and manage the development teams in London and Los Angeles. He will have a particular focus on growing the company’s slate of premium returning series, building on recent Netflix Original series commissions such as Diagnosis and Murder Mountain, as well as limited series and feature documentaries for U.S., U.K. and international networks and platforms.

Samuel joins Lightbox from Dragonfly, where he served as director of development, responsible for series and singles including Birth (BBC1), Second Opinion Surgery (BBC2) and the Grierson Award-winning My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me (BBC1). He was previously head of development at the indie Minnow Films, overseeing projects including American Justice (BBC2), Spies (Channel 4) and Valley Cops (BBC3).

Simon and Jonathan Chinn said: “Ben has a great track record of developing eye-catching ideas into premium returnable series, which is an increasing focus for us as we enter our next phase of growth. Working with VPs of Development in London and L.A., Kate Griffiths and Rushie Perera, respectively, he will bring a highly commercial and audience-focused approach to our development strategy as we continue to expand our output for networks and platforms worldwide.”

Samuel added: “Lightbox has an outstanding pedigree and reputation for producing exceptional content. I’ve long admired the company from afar, and I’m really looking forward to working with the teams in both the U.K. and U.S.”