BBCS takes full ownership of Brexit: The Uncivil War outfit House Productions

Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings in Brexit: The Uncivil War (photo: Nick Wall)

BBC Studios (BBCS) has acquired House Productions, the UK drama producer founded by Channel 4 film and drama boss Tessa Ross and Working Title TV head Juliette Howell.

Tessa Ross

The production and distribution arm of the UK pubcaster has upped its 25% stake to take full ownership of the production outfit. The deal was negotiated by Laura Franses on behalf of House Productions, advised by Tom Manwaring of Helion Partners and Matt Garside, managing director of content partnerships for BBCS.

House joins BBCS’ growing stable of scripted producers that includes Clerkenwell Films, Lookout Point, Sid Gentle Films and Baby Cow Productions.

Founded in 2016, House is behind productions including political drama Brexit: The Uncivil War for Channel 4 starring Benedict Cumberbatch and forthcoming BBC crime drama Sherwood. Pre-production has also started in Italy on The Good Mothers, a Star Original for Disney+, which is a coproduction with Wildside written by Stephen Butchard.

Juliette Howell

BBCS’ chief creative officer Mark Linsey said: “We’re delighted to be taking full ownership of House Productions – which exemplifies bold, British, creativity – and to continue to support Tessa and Juliette’s immense creative ingenuity and vision. Their storytelling and the quality of their productions are outstanding, and we are incredibly excited by the content they have in development.

“House is a strong complement to our existing portfolio of indie labels, further strengthening our TV drama offering and international film industry presence as part of our mission to support the British creative sector and take the very best ideas to audiences around the world.”