Banijay UK invests in James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky’s Rabbit Track Pictures

James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky

Banijay UK has invested in London-based drama prodco Rabbit Track Pictures, co-founded by actor James Norton (Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace) and Kitty Kaletsky, the former head of TV at LA-based Black Bear Pictures.

Rabbit Track’s first production, Rogue Agent, was a thriller released last summer on Netflix and in cinemas in the US. The film stars Norton, Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man) and Shazad Latif (Star Trek Discovery).

Rabbit Track has built a slate of films and TV series since being founded three years ago. According to M&A specialist Helion Partners, Rabbit Track recently secured an eight-part returnable historical drama series for BBC One, which will also star Norton, as well as a four-part limited series for ITV. Helion Partners advised Norton and Kaletsky on the deal.

The investment, details of which were not revealed, comes from Banijay UK’s £50m Growth Fund and will enable Rabbit Track to build its team, strengthen its existing infrastructure as it starts production on its first two TV series and invest in development. The deal includes a first-look pact with Banijay’s distribution arm, Banijay Rights.

Rabbit Track was initially backed by London-based investment company Great Point Media and The Development Partnership in 2020.

“In the ever-changing landscape of film and TV, we want to build a distinct and dynamic company that champions brave storytellers, who create character-driven narratives,” said Norton and Kaletsky in a joint statement.

This is the seventh Banijay UK Growth Fund deal to be announced since it was launched in February. Previous talent agreements include a first-look deal with scripted producer Chris Sussman and a multi-project pact with Scottish documentary director and producer Kevin Macdonald.

The fund has also facilitated the acquisition of Mam Tor Productions and investments in new scripted company Conker Pictures and Welsh start-up Ty’r Ddraig. It has also enabled Banijay UK’s unscripted prodco DSP to launch premium doc label DSP Films.