Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse brings in Label 1’s Coughlin as head of popular factual

UK prodco Mindhouse Productions, which was founded by UK documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux and Nancy Strang along with long-time collaborator Arron Fellows, has appointed Barnaby Coughlin as its new head of popular factual.

Barnaby Coughlin

Coughlin has been brought in to expand the popular factual division having previously worked as head of factual entertainment at London prodco Label 1.

At Label 1, Coughlin worked on a variety of projects including documentary series Sixteen: Class of 2021 and hit dating format Five Guys A Week, both for the UK’s Channel 4, as well as Inside Chelsea and Monkman & Seagull for BBC Two.

Before that, he worked at WarnerMedia UK prodco Twenty Twenty as an executive producer on formats First Dates and First Dates Hotel.

He also directed and ran the early series of The Apprentice, Popstars: The Rivals, Big Brother and Mary Queen of Charity Shops. Coughlin also has extensive experience working for US networks – most notably on the first series of entertainment format Undercover Boss on CBS.

Strang, Mindhouse’s co-founder and director of development, said: “Barnaby is an outstanding talent with great vision and a brilliant instinct for what makes entertaining television. He’ll be a crucial addition to Mindhouse.”

Coughlin said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mindhouse at this exciting time and bringing all the wit, humour and curiosity already apparent in their existing shows to the factual entertainment space. Mindhouse has quickly gained a reputation for creativity and excellence and I’m looking forward to being part of such a high-calibre and award-winning team.”