Wonderhood Studios Bolsters Leadership Team

Wonderhood Studios has strengthened its leadership team with several promotions and a new hire.

Lianne Hickey has been brought on as head of production. She joins from Fremantle’s Naked, where, as head of production, she oversaw The Rap Game UK (BBC Three); The Killer Nanny: Did She Do It? (Channel 4); and Ghislaine, Prince Andrew and the Paedophile (ITV/Paramount+).

Hickey has also held senior production roles at IMG Media, Firecracker Films, DCD Media and Summer Films.

Katharine Patrick, who joined Wonderhood in 2019, has been promoted to head of factual. Since joining the company, she has developed and executive produced a variety of programming, including the BAFTA- and Grierson-nominated Baby Surgeons: Delivering Miracles (Channel 4), Trump in Tweets (BBC Two) and Devil’s Advocate: The Mostly True Story of Giovanni di Stefano (Sky Documentaries).

Wonderhood has also promoted Tom Garton to head of development. Since joining the company in 2019, Garton has developed commissions such as Devil’s Advocate: The Mostly True Story of Giovanni di Stefano (Sky Documentaries), Heston’s Marvellous Menu (BBC Two), COVID: Our Lockdown in Shanghai (Smithsonian) and Scouting for Girls (Sky Documentaries).

Garton and Patrick will work together to secure unscripted commissions and will work with Chief Creative Officer Samantha Anstiss on the creative direction of the company.

“I’m thrilled to have Lianne join Wonderhood,” said Susie Dark, managing director. “Good heads of production may sometimes be in unsung roles, but they are absolutely key to the success of any indie, and in Lianne we have one of the very best. I am delighted to be working with her again.”

Hickey said, “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Wonderhood family at such an exciting time in its journey and being part of such an incredibly creative company. I am looking forward to getting straight to work and helping our teams create and develop more great work.”

Regarding the promotions, Anstiss commented, “It’s great to recognize the creative talent and success of Katharine and Tom with these well-earned promotions. They have been instrumental to the company’s growth—originating ideas, securing access and executive producing high-impact programs—and are already busy on our upcoming new content.”