Plimsoll Promotes to Support Science Ambitions

Plimsoll Productions has promoted Martha Holmes, previously head of natural history, to chief creative officer of natural history and science in order to expand its science programming slate.

Holmes, who helped build the natural-history division from the ground up, will now run the 150-strong department and sit on the board as one of three executive directors. Her scientific knowledge—she holds a Ph.D. in marine biology—and storytelling skills will help fuel the company’s growth ambitions in the genre.

Holmes’ recent credits include the BAFTA-nominated Tiny World (Apple TV+), the celebrity ensemble cast-voiced Animal (Netflix), Emmy-nominated Hostile Planet (National Geographic) and the upcoming On the Edge with Alex Honnold (Disney+). She was instrumental in creating National Geographic’s Super/Natural, executive produced by James Cameron and narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, and Great Migrations.

In her new role, Holmes will report directly to Grant Mansfield, CEO of Plimsoll.

“Martha is one of the most esteemed and innovative players in the unscripted space and has redefined natural-history and wildlife entertainment,” Mansfield said. “She and I now see a huge new opportunity to bring these skills to the popular science space.”