Platform One links with Mirren, Wolstencroft

CONTENT LONDON: Producer and distributor Platform One Media has signed a first-look deal with Spooks and Versailles writers Simon Mirren and David Wolstencroft, and a project with Jason Bourne writer-director Tony Gilroy is already in the works.

Simon Mirren

The pact between London- and LA-based Platform One and Mirren and Wolstencroft’s prodco Atlantic Nomad has yielded its first major project in The Book of Guns, penned by scribe Gilroy (the Jason Bourne franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story). The series will be exec produced by Mirren and Wolstencroft.

Liberty Global- and TPG-backed Platform One is also linking up with Mirren, Wolstencroft and Atlantic Nomad co-founder and partner Jamie Carmichael (Thank You For Smoking) on Berlin-set art world thriller The Art of War, UK spy thriller The Knowledge and crime series Hammerhead.

Mirren and Carmichael launched Atlantic Nomad earlier this year with Hammerhead and The Knowledge – which Mirren co-created with Wolstencroft – in the pipeline from the off.

Described as a hybrid development, finance, production and distribution company, Atlantic Nomad aims to create a slate of between six and 10 original series over the next 12 months from both the US and UK, with Wolstencroft attached for future projects.

David Wolstencroft

The new deal is a coup for Platform One, which was formed only last year with the help of funding from TPG Growth through Evolution Media, an investment partnership with talent agency CAA and prodco Participant Media.

Mirren is known for writing and producing hit transatlantic series such as Criminal Minds for Touchstone Television and CBS, Without a Trace for Jerry Bruckheimer Television and CBS, and Waking the Dead for the BBC.

Carmichael was the president of film at Content Media for 15 years, where he acquired, produced and distributed more than 250 titles, including The Cooler, Fish Tank and the Scientology documentary Going Clear.

Katie O’Connell Marsh, CEO of Platform One and former Gaumont Television chief, announced the partnership at C21’s Content London event this morning. She said Mirren and Wolstencroft have “an impressive pedigree and have created and produced wonderfully successful global television series.”

“Their view of character and narrative is grippingly unique. We look forward to partnering with Simon, David and Jamie on adventurous, sophisticated and compelling series,” she added. “Working together with the incomparable Tony Gilroy on The Book of Guns is a thrilling first project for us.”

“We’re over the moon to be working with Katie and her first-class team. Platform One are perfect partners, with impeccable creative and business instincts. We’re thrilled by their entrepreneurial and compelling vision for the future of our industry,” said Mirren, Wolstencroft and Carmichael in a joint statement.

“We’re also honoured and humbled beyond measure to be working with Tony Gilroy on Book of Guns. He’s the Godfather – a master storyteller at the very top of his game.”