George Kay forms prodco Observatory Pictures in partnership with New Pictures
Screenwriter and showrunner George Kay (Hijack) has partnered with All3Media-owned outfit New Pictures (The Long Shadow) to launch new scripted prodco Observatory Pictures.
George Kay
The multi-year pact will see Observatory coproduce content created by Kay with London-based New Pictures. All3Media International will handle worldwide sales.
Kay will work closely with New Pictures CEO Willow Grylls and executive producer Matt Sandford to develop a slate of high-end drama series for streamers and broadcasters in the UK and overseas.
The collaboration builds on the relationship formed when New Pictures produced true crime drama The Long Shadow, which was written and created by Kay.
Kay is the co-creator, writer, and executive producer of Hijack, the Idris Elba thriller series for AppleTV+. He also created and wrote Lupin, starring Omar Sy, for Netflix. Other credits include Litvinenko for streamer ITVX and My Mad Fat Diary for Channel 4.
New Pictures has produced programming such as Champion for BBC One and Netflix, Dalgliesh for Channel 5 and No Escape for Paramount+.
Kay said: “This new partnership affords me the opportunity to create ambitious new shows and the freedom to secure the most suitable platform for each of them.”
Grylls said: “As a screenwriter, George has an acute gift for character and storytelling, as a showrunner, an incredible ability and ambition to produce internationally defining shows that resonate with a global audience.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be forming this unique and innovative partnership with him and All3. Backing new and established creative talent is at the heart of everything we do at New Pictures.”
Jane Turton, CEO of All3Media, said: “I’m delighted that George is partnering with New Pictures and All3Media to produce and distribute all of his new shows.
“He is a prolific and exceptionally talented showrunner, a master storyteller at the very top of his game. His track record of hits speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to working with George on his strong slate of exciting new projects.”
