Sky confirms drama boss, unveils originals

European satcaster Sky has confirmed the appointment of Cameron Roach as director of drama and revealed his first two commissions.

Cameron Roach

Roach stepped into the role in an acting capacity in November last year after his predecessor, Anne Mensah, left the pay TV broadcaster to join Netflix as its first London-based VP of content.

Sky has now officially confirmed Roach’s appointment as Sky’s director of drama and Sky Studios.

Roach has worked across Sky’s original drama portfolio for the past five years, including titles such as Tin Star, Britannia, Fortitude, Riviera and Bulletproof. Cameron will report to Gary Davey, MD of Sky Content.

Together with Zai Bennett, Sky’s director of programming, Roach has commissioned Little Birds for Sky Atlantic and Intergalatic for Sky1.

Little Birds (6×60′) is described as a playful and intensely evocative adaptation of Anais Nin’s infamous collection of erotic short stories, written by Sophia Al-Maria (The Girl Who Fell to Earth) and directed by Stacie Passon (Billions, House of Cards).

The series is set in Tangier in 1955, in the ‘international zone’ – one of the last outposts of colonial decadence and a culture shock in more ways than one for troubled American debutante Lucy Savage (Juno Temple).

It will be executively produced by Ruth McCance and Peter Carlton from Warp Productions. Filming will begin in Spain and Manchester, UK in March and the show is set to premiere next year. International distribution is being handled by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

Intergalactic is an action sci-fi drama set in the 23rd century. Written by Julie Gearey (Prisoners’ Wives), it follows a crew of fierce female convicts who break free and go on the run in space.

The 10-part Sky original production, from Moonage Pictures and Motion Content Group in association with Tiger Aspect Productions, starts shooting later this year. International distribution is being led by Sky Vision and Motion Content Group.

“These two commissions underline his understanding of our diverse audiences and his dedication to growing the Sky drama slate with quality, cinematic and gripping content,” said Davey.

“Intergalactic and Little Birds couldn’t be more different, and in that they represent the ambition of our slate,” added Roach.

Forthcoming dramas on Sky in 2019 include Catherine The Great, Chernobyl, Temple, Curfew and the second season of Riviera.