Two powerful women in entertainment are joining forces. As Screen Daily reports, former Film4 head Tessa Ross and ex-Working Title TV chief Juliette Howell are launching a TV and Film production company called House Productions.
Announcing the new venture, Ross said, “Juliette and I are truly excited about what we can achieve together, and with our partners at BBC Worldwide and Access Entertainment. We’re going to build a creative and supportive home at House Productions and look forward to growing something unique and long lasting with both new and old collaborators.”
Howell added, “Along with our partners, Tessa and I share a vision for the company where the flow of ideas and creative talent between film and television can achieve the best and most ambitious work. House Productions will be the home of original, exciting stories, a place where ideas can be nurtured and produced in a supportive environment.”
The company will be based in London, with BBC Worldwide and Access Entertainment investing. As Screen Daily details, “BBC Worldwide has taken a 25 percent stake in House Productions as part of their investment in the new indie. The deal will see the BBC’s commercial and international arm act as the global distributor for House’s TV content slate. Recently formed Access Entertainment, headed up by former BBC TV chief Danny Cohen, have agreed a first-look deal to develop and finance feature films with House Productions.” House Productions will also have input from New York-based investor Laura Sloate.
Ross and Howell have previously worked together on such films as “Billy Elliot,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” and “The Last King of Scotland.”