Plimsoll Studios appoints Nathan Small as creative director

Plimsoll Studios, part of ITV Studios, has appointed Emmy-winning director, producer and cinematographer Nathan Small as creative director of natural history and kids & family.

Nathan Small

Small will report to Mark Brownlow, head of natural history.

The move follows the news earlier this week that his predecessor, Alex Ranken, is moving to National Geographic as a commissioning editor.

Small’s recent Plimsoll credits include Tiny World (Apple TV), A Real Bug’s Life (National Geographic and Disney+), Nightmares of Nature (Netflix) and World’s Wildest Cities (ITV).

Plimsoll Studios won six Emmys over two seasons of A Real Bug’s Life, including one for Small’s cinematography.

Small later directed Nightmares of Nature, fusing natural history with the conventions of horror through bespoke macro-optics, motion control and cinematic lighting. Most recently, he was series director on ITV’s World’s Wildest Cities.

Brownlow said: “Nathan is an exceptional filmmaker with a truly distinctive creative voice. He has an extraordinary ability to make natural history feel fresh, cinematic and surprising, and his work consistently finds new ways to engage audiences.”