Northern Sister hires Peaky Blinders’ Simon Maloney as executive producer

The Manchester arm of Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone’s drama prodco Sister has hired Simon Maloney, an executive producer whose credits include Peaky Blinders and Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You.

Simon Maloney

Maloney is joining Northern Sister, founded in March last year, as exec producer, working alongside creative director of scripted Lucy Dyke.

Maloney’s first project in the newly created role sees him join the previously announced Passenger as exec producer with Dyke. The darkly comic thriller, written by debut screenwriter Andrew Buchan, is currently in pre-production for streamer ITVX, with the series due to start filming in late 2022.

Maloney’s focus will be on developing and producing high-end scripted projects in the region while nurturing new creators from diverse backgrounds both on- and off-screen. He will also in work in collaboration with the teams in London and LA.

As a freelance producer, Maloney’s credits include Jimmy McGovern’s hard-hitting Time (BBC), I May Destroy You (BBC), Peaky Blinders (BBC/Netflix) and, most recently, the BBC adaptation of Dolly Alderton’s memoir Everything I Know About Love.

Previously, Maloney gained production experience working as a first assistant director on a range of high-end dramas and international features including The Railway Man, Peaky Blinders, Luther, Penny Dreadful, Fortitude, Marvellous and The Honourable Woman.

Maloney said: “I’m incredibly passionate about what Manchester and the North has to offer. Not only is there a vast wealth of talent and experience on both sides of the camera here but superb locations, resources and infrastructure. It’s been a career-long goal to have a meaningful impact in the region, nurturing new, vibrant talent and attracting high-end shows. To be able to do this under the Northern Sister banner alongside an amazing producer like Lucy is an incredibly opportunity and a privilege.”

Dyke added: “We are thrilled that the hugely talented Simon Maloney is joining the Northern Sister team. He is an inspirational producer and his extraordinary work speaks for itself. He shares our passion for bold, ambitious storytelling with a focus on the phenomenal talent in the North. I can’t wait to work together on the brilliant Passenger, which I’m sure will be the first of many exciting collaborations.”