Ex-Sky drama head Cameron Roach launches indie Rope Ladder Fiction

Cameron Roach, outgoing director of drama at European pay TV broadcaster Sky, has launched a new production company called Rope Ladder Fiction.

Cameron Roach

The Manchester-based independent production company will focus on providing training and development opportunities to new talent.

The company is already working with some of the industry’s most prolific broadcasters and commissioners on a range of projects, with the aim of starting production in 2022.

Rope Ladder Fiction will build on Roach’s first solo project, curating Flip the Script, a training programme to provide 12 paid placements for aspiring script editors in the north-west of England run by social enterprise Sharp Futures.

Roach’s career includes work on series including Life on Mars, Silk, Casualty and Waterloo Road. At Sky, he commissioned I Hate Suzie, Third Day, Intergalactic and Gangs of London, among other shows.

Roach said: “Rope Ladder Fiction is being established to encourage a focus on new talent in all craft areas whilst also working with industry partners to innovate and create entertaining, provocative, quality drama. We hope to evolve a true pipeline of talent for the long term, encouraging collegiate working practices and a dynamic and trusted environment. We are genuine in our desire to guide a new generation up the Rope Ladder.”

Roach announced his departure from Sky in September last year and has since been replaced by Gabriel Silver and Preevi Mavahalli in a restructured drama department.