BBCWW, Cohen back drama prodco

BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) and the US firm led by Danny Cohen are backing a new production company being launched by a pair of experienced film and drama execs.

Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell

Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell are launching London-based indie House Productions today with investment from the commercial arm of the UK pubcaster and Cohen’s Access Entertainment.

Ross and Howell will be joint CEOs, working across a slate of television and feature films.

Ross was previously controller of film and drama at UK terrestrial Channel 4 where she oversaw films including Four Lions, This is England and Slumdog Millionaire for Film 4. She left the broadcaster in 2014.

Howell was Working Title’s head of television for five years prior to stepping down last year. Her CV includes Bafta winning dramas London Spy and Birdsong for the BBC as well as Yonderland for Sky.

The pair have worked together on projects including Shameless, The Last King of Scotland and Billy Elliott during the past 20 years.

BBCWW has taken a 25% stake in House and will act as global distributor for its content slate. Access Entertainment, the media and technology investment group owned by US industrialist Len Blavatnik, has agreed a first look deal with the fledgling firm to develop and finance feature films.

Former BBC director of television Cohen joined Access, part of Blavatnik’s US-based investment outfit Access Industries, as president in May having left the BBC in October last year.

House is also receiving additional investment and expertise from New York-based investor Laura Sloate.

Howell said: “Along with our partners, Tessa and I share a vision for the company where the flow of ideas and creative talent between film and television can achieve the best and most ambitious work.”

Cohen added: “The mission of Access Entertainment is to work with the world’s leading creative talent and this first-look film deal with House Productions is an important step in our plans.”

BBCWW returned to investing in production companies in 2014 and has since taken stakes in producers including London-based Lookout Point.