Merman pulls in Brand, Walker

UK-based scripted indie Merman has added development execs for comedy and drama to its team, including comedian and writer Katy Brand.

Katy Brand

Brand is joining the firm, launched in 2014 by producers Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford, as comedy development consultant.

Daniel Walker, meanwhile, is joining as head of drama development from fellow indie 42.

As TV development executive at 42, Walker had been script editing the recently announced Watership Down coproduction between Netflix and the BBC. He also spent three years in the drama commissioning and development team at Sky.

Brand has appeared in movies including Nanny McPhee and TV series such as Peep Show and Psychobitches, as well as fronting ITV sketch series Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show from 2007 to 2009. Her stand-up comedy routine is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival later this year.

Merman’s hires follow its recent commission of comedy pilot Circuit for Channel 4 in the UK, which will see Horgan reunite with Dennis Kelly for the first time since the pair collaborated on sitcom Pulling.

The indie is also coproducing BBC2 pilot Motherland with Delightful Industries and working with HBO on Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, which will air later this year.

Back in February the firm agreed a development deal with Sky Vision.