‘Time’ Exec Producers Launch River Pictures, Backed By BBC Studios
The executive producers of critically acclaimed BBC prison drama Time have launched their own scripted production operation.
River Pictures has been launched as the latest producer in the BBC Studios stable and will be led by Andrew Morrissey and Michael Parke. They were previously exec producers at the BBC’s commercial division and worked on both seasons of Jimmy McGovern’s BAFTA-winning Time, the latest season of which stars The Last of Us‘ Bella Ramsey, and all three seasons of RTÉ’s Irish drama Smother.
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Scripted label River will have bases in London and Liverpool, taking inspiration from the Thames and Mersey rivers that run through those cities, respectively, in its naming. The company will look to showcase “strong regional voices” in its output when it opens its doors before the end of the year.
In 2024, Morrissey and Parke will be have two BBC Studios series coming to screen: RTÉ crime drama Blackshore and BBC Three factual drama Kidnapped, which tells the story of of Chloe Ayling, a British model who was abducted in Italy in 2017, and faced disbelief and cynicism from media and public alike before her captors were finally jailed. We first told you about the latter in April.
Prior to joining BBC Studios, Morrissey was Head of Development at McGovern’s Liverpool-based LA Productions, wherte he worked on the likes of Moving On and factual drama film Reg, both for BBC One. Parke was an executive producer at indie Ecosse Films, where his projects included He Kills Coppers for ITV, five series of RAW for RTE and Fleming (Sky Atlantic). He joined BBC Scotland in 2016 and switched to BBC Studios two years later.
River’s bosses will report into BBC Studios President of Scripted Productions Mark Linsey. The move to hand them their own label “continues BBC Studios’ strategy of backing the best creative talent and strengthening its position as a global studio bringing the best British storytelling to both UK and international audiences,” according to the BBC.
“Andrew and Michael are two incredibly talented storytellers who can deliver authentic, complicated stories that have impact in a way that is thought provoking and always accessible to a wide audience,” said Linsey. “Aside from their current productions they have an exciting slate of titles and I can’t wait to see it coming to fruition under their new label.”
“We’re very proud of the shows we have made with the team at BBC Studios and hugely excited for this new chapter and the commitment to making bold, ambitious, and characterful drama in an environment that is creatively supportive,” added Morrissey and Parkes in a statement. “Having a base in Liverpool, as well as London, will allow us to build on the strong creative relationships we have established in the North West when making Time and Kidnapped. We can’t wait to get going.”
River Pictures’ launch is the latest in a long line of scripted investments in the UK. It has bought into companies such as Turbine Studios and Moonage Pictures, and owns other such as Lookout Point. It also has development deals in place with the likes of Bonafide Pictures.
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