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Mammoth’s Buck to head Company

All3Media-owned UK production outfit Company Pictures has appointed Mammoth Screen’s founder as its new CEO.

Michele Buck

Michele Buck

Michele Buck stepped down as joint MD of the Poldark producer after it was acquired by UK commercial broadcaster ITV for an undisclosed sum this month.

Mammoth was established in 2007 by Buck and Damien Timmer and has produced series such as Parade’s End for BBC2 and Endeavour for ITV1.

Prior to Mammoth, Buck was controller of drama for United Productions, where she was responsible for Channel 4’s Sex Traffic, and held the same position at ITV overseeing Emmy-winning costume drama Hornblower and Lewis.

Buck will replace John Yorke, who stepped down in March after nearly two-and-a-half years in the role. Yorke, former controller of BBC drama production, joined Company Pictures (Wolf Hall) in October 2012, replacing founders George Faber and Charlie Pattinson.

John Yorke

John Yorke

Pattinson and Faber were initially set to launch their own prodco together but those plans never came to fruition and Pattinson subsequently founded The Missing prodco New Pictures.

Buck, who assumes her new role on July 1, said: “I will relish the challenge of leading Company Pictures into its next phase and growing its already distinctive drama portfolio. I’ll be looking to build upon the existing Company reputation by seeking to attract new talent and great new projects to take the company onwards and upwards.”

Company’s other credits include Inspector George Gently, Wild at Heart, The Shadow Line, Truckers and The Village.

In November, exec producer Mark Pybus left Company Pictures to join new UK indie The Forge, established by Company co-founder Faber.

New All3Media CEO Jane Turton said that Buck was a “hugely exciting addition to Company Pictures.”

Her appointment marks the latest move in All3Media’s recent drama push. The superindie acquired Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, the UK indie behind series including the BBC’s Call the Midwife, earlier this year.

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