Tessa Ross, the Channel 4 film and drama controller who’s been called “the mother of British filmmaking,” will leave her current position to head the National Theatre.
Ross will take over NT in November 2014 and share her duties with Rufus Norris when the latter comes aboard next spring. Both will work alongside Lisa Burger, the National Theatre’s COO.
Norris described Ross as “a world-class producer, a tireless supporter and promoter of both emerging and established artists, [and] a great manager and businesswoman.”
Among the many British projects Ross has shepherded during her tenure are Phyllida Lloyd’s The Iron Lady, Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant, and Sarah Gavron’s upcoming Sufragette.