Acclaimed Content brings in Kieran McCarthy to fill new development director role

Unscripted UK production company Acclaimed Content has appointed Kieran McCarthy to the newly created role of director of development.

Kieran McCarthy

McCarthy joins the Birmingham-based business from Kalel Productions, where he served as creative director of development, leading a slate of unscripted formats across digital and linear platforms, including Channel 4’s Will AI Take My Job?, the world’s first show to feature an AI host.

Prior to that, he was director of development at True North Productions, where he created a raft of talent-led documentaries and unscripted formats including Ashley Cain: Into the Dangerzone (BBC), Susan Calman’s Antique Adventure (5), Evicted (BBC) and Top Guns: Inside the RAF (Channel 4).

In his new role, Kieran will be responsible for driving Acclaimed’s development slate, building new IP and identifying opportunities across traditional, digital and emerging platforms, as well as branded content. He will report to Acclaimed Content founders Anton Inwood and Ché Chumber.

Acclaimed’s recent credits include Channel 4’s Untold: Undercover Working Holidays: Stranded in Paradise, a one-hour investigative film fronted by Tir Dhondy; Sainsbury’s-backed branded entertainment series Chris Ramsey’s Alternative Christmas Guide (Channel 4); Channel 4.0 hits Family Face-Off and Alone-ish with Nella Rose; and BBC Three’s Queen of Trucks.

Anton Inwood, co-founder of Acclaimed Content, said: “His track record in creating standout formats and expertise across broadcast and digital make him the perfect person to drive our next phase of growth. His appointment will supercharge our creative leadership as we build bold, distinctive factual formats and attention-grabbing series that connect with audiences across broadcast, streaming and social platforms.”

McCarthy added: “I’m a huge fan of what Anton and Ché have achieved so far, building a truly forward-thinking and creative production studio proudly based in the regions. With some impressive wins already under their belt, I can’t wait to get stuck in and bring my format pedigree to one of the most exciting young indies out there in the UK, as we boldly tackle an exciting new era for UK content.”