Essential Media back in the drama business

Australian prodco Essential Media Group (EMG) has re-activated its drama arm with a mandate to produce premium international TV dramas and theatrical features via the newly unveiled Essential Scripted.

Michelle Hardy

Michelle Hardy, who produced the International Emmy-winning multi-platform comedy #7DaysLater, has joined as VP of scripted, Australia, while Simonne Overend continues as VP of scripted, US.

EMG has also signed a first-look deal with Hardy White Pictures, a joint venture between Hardy and director Erin White, whose credits include pubcaster ABC’s comedies Sando and Little Lunch.

The move marks a return to the scripted sphere since Essential’s co-founder Ian Collie and FremantleMedia bought the prodco’s drama slate and catalogue and formed Easy Tiger Productions.

It follows the acquisition of EMG by Canada’s Kew Media Group for an initial A$32.8m (US$24.2m), a deal that is expected to close next week. EMG was formed by the merger of Essential and Quail Entertainment.

EMG CEO Chris Hilton said: “We’re relishing the prospect of our return to drama production in Australia and the US at a time when the opportunities have never been greater. We have an exciting new slate and with the support of our new partners at Kew we’re looking forward to bringing more premium scripted content to audiences around the world.”

Hilton pointed out that he and Collie started from scratch in drama in the early years at Essential Media and Entertainment, producing a raft of shows including Rake, Jack Irish and The Principal and the Disney movie Saving Mr Banks on the back of the company’s factual slate.

Essential Scripted is working with new and emerging writers including Yolanda Ramke and Chris Squadrito on a slate of six TV dramas and as many theatrical features.

Netflix acquired all rights outside Australasia to Cargo, Ramke’s debut feature co-directed with Ben Howling. Squadrito served as senior script editor on Hoodlum Entertainment/Netflix’s supernatural series Tidelands.

Hardy has been working for Essential for some months so some projects are in advanced development or are close to the pilot stage. The projects are being developed in partnership with networks and distributors.

“Australian broadcasters are aspiring to produce dramas that are comparable to those screening on Netflix,” Hilton told C21. “That means you need sufficient quality to attract pre-finance from European or US broadcasters or a deep-pocketed distributor.”

Harding worked with Greg Quail, who is now EMG’s chief content officer, on several projects including Timothy, a half-hour narrative comedy that aired as part of ABC’s Mental Health Week. Her credits include Skit Box’s Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am and Back Seat Drivers, a comedy entertainment series, both for the ABC.

Hilton has identified the need to develop the next generation of writers, partly because creatives such as Andrew Knight, Sarah Lambert and Kris Mrksa are tied up with their own projects. His plan is to put emerging writers together with experienced writers and showrunners.

Overend is working with Ramke as she develops a TV series based on a crime novel and a feature screenplay.