Bell Media sets first-look development pact with Pluribus producer Bristol Circle

Bristol Circle produces Apple TV+ drama Pluribus

Apple TV+

Canadian entertainment group Bell Media has struck a first-look development deal with Bristol Circle Entertainment, the US-based production company led by former Sony Pictures Television Studios president Jeff Frost.

Bristol Circle, which is behind shows including Apple TV+ psychological drama Pluribus, will create original scripted shows for Bell Media-owned broadcaster CTV and streamer Crave through the pact.

Frost launched Bristol Circle in 2022 after a 14-year spell at Sony Pictures Television. Roosevelt Brown is the company’s head of development.

In addition to Pluribus, which comes from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, Bristol Circle also has a true-crime drama about 1980s serial killer Dorothea Puente in the works at HBO.

For Bell Media, the partnership marks the latest in a raft of deals with high-profile North American talent and production companies, including Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s Point Grey Pictures, Elliot Page’s Pageboy Productions, Tom Green Productions and Celeste Parr’s Punctuation Media.

“Jeff has spent decades identifying exceptional creative talent and developing some of TV’s most compelling stories including Breaking Bad, Outlander, and most recently Pluribus” said Bell Media’s VP of global content Justin Stockman.

“By combining Bristol Circle Entertainment’s creative pedigree, and Bell Media’s market-leading platforms, we have a distinctive advantage in creating and delivering high-quality original drama series.”

Frost, who serves as chairman and CEO of Bristol Circle, added: “Bell Media’s proven profile of bold risk-taking and passion for compelling, character-driven series that captivate both Canadian and international audiences aligns perfectly with Bristol Circle’s vision and sensibilities. Roosevelt and I can’t wait to push boundaries and engage in world-class storytelling with this inimitable team.”