C4’s Maxwell, Endeavor launch prodco

Simon Maxwell, head of international drama at the UK’s Channel 4, is leaving the broadcaster to launch a scripted production company with backing from Endeavor Content in the US.

Simon Maxwell

The as-yet-unnamed production shingle will focus on premium scripted content for the UK, US and international markets.

Endeavor Content is the lead investor in the firm, marking its first scripted television partnership in the UK since WME’s content financing and IMG’s sales groups came together last year.

Maxwell will exit commercially funded pubcaster C4 at the end of the year having spearheaded its coproduction strategy. His credits include sci-fi series Humans, which C4 coproduced with AMC in the US, and Beau Willimon’s The First, a coproduction with streamer Hulu that was co-financed by Endeavor Content.

He was also integral to Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams with Amazon and Brian Elsey’s Kiss Me First with Netflix, while his forthcoming projects include Catch 22, starring and executive produced by Hollywood actor George Clooney.

Maxwell said: “It’s hard to imagine a more exciting time to be in the scripted television business, with the climate favouring the kind of brave, authored global storytelling that I’ve been privileged enough to work on at Channel 4.

“With this new company, we aim to apply a similarly adventurous ethos to our work, prioritising talent relationships and providing a home and a model for the best storytellers to create their boldest work, both locally and globally. I couldn’t wish for more kindred spirited and like-minded partners than the team at Endeavor Content.”

Ian Katz, Channel 4’s director of programmes, said: “Simon has pioneered Channel 4’s move into the international coproduction space with shows from Humans to Traitors. He has a fine eye for high-end drama and a knack for collaborating with the best partners to help bring a bold and varied slate of scripted projects to screen, from Electric Dreams to Kiss Me First.

“He leaves Channel 4 just as The First is about to take off, literally, and I want to thank him and Beth Willis for building a wonderfully rich slate of forthcoming drama, in particular Lucy Kirkwood’s extraordinary Chimerica that I genuinely think is one of the classiest pieces of scripted content you’ll see all year.”

Endeavor Content’s titles include Emmy-nominated BBC1 series Killing Eve, La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s forthcoming project The Eddy for Netflix, and Apple’s See and Are You Sleeping through its scripted television joint venture with Peter Chernin.

Additionally, Endeavor is handling international sales for Little Drummer Girl, based on John le Carré’s bestselling book, and previously sold le Carre adaptation The Night Manager around the world.