BBCS unveils Euro scripted development fund, taps Ben Donald to lead IP hunt

Ben Donald

BBC Studios Global Productions is setting up a central scripted development fund to support the creation of original IP across its European production network, with veteran producer Ben Donald tapped to lead it.

The fund will support the development of new local-language projects, including options on existing material and relationships with writers, authors and other creative talent. BBC Studios has not specified how much money it will be putting behind the fund.

Donald, who is the founder of UK-based Cosmopolitan Pictures, has been brought in to identify projects and opportunities for collaboration and coproduction across markets, in addition to executive producing certain productions.

Donald spent 20 years at BBC Studios and its predecessor BBC Worldwide, most recently as executive producer, international drama. His credits include Death in Paradise, Parade’s End, Wolf Hall and Good Omens, as well as Spies of Warsaw, The Passing Bells, The Refugees and Zen.

He has more recently developed and produced European and foreign-language scripted projects through Cosmopolitan Pictures, which he will continue to lead alongside his BBC Studios work.