All3Media launches scripted label

Liberty Global- and Discovery-owned All3Media is launching a scripted label that will be headed by a former Company Pictures exec who recently worked on Virgin Media Television’s Irish drama Blood.

Jonathan Fisher

Jonathan Fisher has been named MD at London-based West Road Pictures, which will focus on contemporary drama for a global audience.

Fisher recently produced psychological thriller Blood for Virgin Media Television, the Irish network that was rebranded from TV3 last year and which is also owned by All3 co-parent Liberty Global.

West Road will produce the second season of the drama, the first run of which was made by All3-backed Company. Starring Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) and written by Sophie Petzal, Blood averaged 1.8 million viewers when it aired on Channel 5 in the UK. The show was also picked up by coproducer Acorn TV in North America.

Fisher joined Company Pictures in 2015 and served as executive producer for the 20th anniversary series of long-running ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders. He is joined at West Road by fellow Company Pictures alum Ellie Birnie, who has been named head of development.

“I’m thrilled to be launching West Road Pictures and to be working with a fantastic range of emerging and established talent,” Fisher said. “I’m particularly pleased to be continuing my association with the dynamic and ambitious team at All3Media, at a time when new opportunities are opening up for scripted globally.”

All3Media CEO Jane Turton added that Fisher had “an exciting vision for his new label” and said shows such as Blood highlighted the types of series on which the company would be focusing.

All3 has been steadily expanding its production interests over the past 12 months, taking a stake in Bullion Productions in July and sports specialist Aurora Media Worldwide in December.

The group comprises 30 companies in the UK, Europe, Asia Pacific and the US, including Lion Television, Maverick Television, Objective Media Group, Raw and Studio Lambert.