Channel X, Hopscotch form indie

UK production company Channel X and Glasgow-based Hopscotch Films have joined forces to launch a new indie.

Channel X’s Alan Marke and Jim Reid

Called Channel X Hopscotch, the new entity will develop comedies and dramas based and created in Scotland and already has a slate of projects in development.

Channel X is behind shows like Channel 4’s Home and the BBC’s Detectorists, while Hopscotch Films has produced feature docs and dramas including The Story of Film and Women Make Film.

Hopscotch’s Carolynne Sinclair Kidd will be CCO at the new company, while John Archer of Hopscotch and Channel X’s Alan Marke and Jim Reid will be company directors.

Kidd said: “Early in my career I produced the award-winning comedy drama series High Times for STV and it was one of my favourite productions to work on. With the collaboration of the brilliant Channel X, I’d like to champion sparky, edgy, contemporary comedy like this, and help it find a home not only in Scotland but within the whole of the UK and worldwide.

“There’s no reason why we can’t be making world-class shows from Scotland, like End of the F***ing World or Schitt’s Creek, and I’m going to be working with the talent to make that happen.”

Marke and Reid added: “In our view, Scotland has been underrepresented on the UK’s comedy and drama scene. There is a wealth of writing, performing and craft talent in the country and we would like to help turn that talent into modern, relevant and world-beating narrative TV. We’re excited to be working with Carolynne and John collaboratively in order to achieve that.”