UK prodco Wonderhood Studios elevates Tom Garton to creative director

Tom Garton has been elevated to the role of creative director at London-based prodco Wonderhood Studios (The Kidnap of Angel Lynn).

Tom Garton

Having first joined as a development executive in 2019, Garton was upped to head of development in 2022, then promoted to director of development two years later. In that time, his credits included The Man Who Definitely Didn’t Steal Hollywood, The Salisbury Poisonings and Devil’s Advocate.

Garton originated and developed factual format series The Fear Clinic, which he also executive produced, and co-executive produced and developed with Tom Anstiss Channel 4’s Michael Jackson: The Trial.

Wonderhood Studios is best known as a factual prodco, but the outfit recently produced its first drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards. Garton devised, script edited and co-executive produced that project for Paramount-owned 5 in the UK.

Founded by former Channel 4 CEO David Abraham in 2018, Wonderhood Studios is currently readying a slate of upcoming commissions. They include a specialist factual series for the BBC, a National Geographic feature doc, a 1×90’ doc for Channel 4 and Salisbury Poisonings: The Untold Story, also for Channel 4.

Samantha Anstiss, chief creative officer, Wonderhood Television, said: “Tom has been with us since our very first year and has been absolutely instrumental in our growth – originating stellar ideas and stories and securing commissions across the full range of PSBs and streamers, and shaping the creative ambition of everything we produce.

“He has a rare ability to identify and develop compelling stories, and his steady hand executive producing across some of our most complex productions has been invaluable.”

Garton said: “Having seen the company grow from a start-up to a leading indie producing ambitious drama and documentary, it’s been a privilege to help shape the slate over the past seven years.

“I’ve been especially lucky to work alongside Sam and David, and have learned a huge amount from their creativity, experience and courage to tackle challenging subjects that spark national conversations.”