Monkey founders Macdonald and Granger launch Idle Industries with BBC Studios

Will Macdonald (left) and David Granger

Will Macdonald and David Granger, BAFTA winners and original founders of UK prodco Monkey, have launched a new production company called Idle Industries with backing from BBC Studios.

Idle Industries will develop unscripted formats for both UK and global audiences with support from BBC Studios in return for first-look distribution rights on those formats.

Prior to starting Idle, Macdonald and Granger headed Universal International Studios-owned Monkey, which they founded in 2000 and which went on to be acquired by NBCUniversal.

The duo’s credits include Made In Chelsea, Don’t Hate The Playaz, The Charlotte Church Show, Generation Drag, Know Your SH!t, The Emily Atack Show, Elton John: Me, Myself & I, Young, Dumb & Living Off Mum, The Question Jury, Make My Day, Swag, The House of Obsessive Compulsives, Newlyweds: The First Year, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and TFI Friday.

The pair said in a statement: “Idle Industries continues our unrelenting desire to create new entertainment in all its daft, wonderful and ever-evolving forms. Working closely with major and upcoming talent on- and off-screen we’ll always prioritise storytelling, exceptional casting, originality, humour and high production values whatever the budget, genre or form.”

Kate Ward, MD of unscripted productions at BBC Studios, said: “Will and David have a great history of producing top-class unscripted formats. We’re delighted to be partnering with them and look forward to seeing what imaginative new titles they deliver.”

The deal was brokered on behalf of BBC Studios by Daniel Thomas, head of commercial and acquisitions.