Drama production company, Ringside Studios, founded by award winning British producer and former commissioner Gub Neal (The Fall, Queer as Folk) and French production company and distributor Newen has today announced its first two deals with leading scripted talent in the UK; taking a stake in new production company Fictionhouse and a new multi-project development deal with 44 Drama, the production company established by former Touchpaper Television MD Rob Pursey.
The deal with Fictionhouse was made through Ringside Media*, the newly launched investment arm of Ringside Studios, which is actively seeking and assessing more opportunities in the scripted space to join Ringside’s growing portfolio.
Fictionhouse is the brainchild of acclaimed director and writer Dominic Cooke and Kate Horton, the former artistic and executive directors of London’s Royal Court Theatre. The production company was borne out of the relationship forged by the pair during their time running the Royal Court. During their tenure there they produced over 100 new plays, which were nominated for 210 major awards, winning 59, as well as nurturing a remarkable generation of writers and creative talent. Fictionhouse aims to bring the duo’s access to top writing, acting, and directing talent to TV audiences and create distinctive drama. Alongside TV content creation, the company will continue to develop and produce an ambitious array of theatre productions.
Cooke and Horton said: “We are delighted to be coming together with Gub Neal and the exceptional teams at Ringside Studios and Newen, particularly as we develop our work in television. George Devine, who founded the Royal Court Theatre famously said ‘policy is the people you work with’ and we certainly feel this to be true in this new partnership. Their track records in making brilliant TV speak for themselves, but most importantly, all three companies share the same principle; that is only by enabling and supporting talent that the best work can happen. We look forward to a long and productive working relationship together.”
Meanwhile, Ringside Studios have completed a development deal with Pursey’s newly launched 44 Drama where the two companies will work together to foster two new scripted projects with international appeal, including one project to be written by Pursey. Best known for overseeing the supernatural hit drama Being Human (BBC, SyFy) whilst running Touchpaper Television, he is now working on a number of projects for 44 Drama.
Pursey comments: “I am delighted to be working on two new scripted projects with Ringside and with Newen. Gub and his team have produced some of the very best British drama, and Newen, with their European roots and global ambitions, are perfectly positioned to help 44 Drama launch new international projects.”
Gub Neal, founder and creative director of Ringside, said: “Closing both these deals marks the start of a hugely exciting chapter in Ringside’s continued growth. Rob comes with an impressive wealth of experience in personally creating and show-running ‘platinum plated’ projects in the UK and in the US. We are really eager to kick off this deal with Rob and are looking to our collaboration with such a significant talent in TV drama. Similarly, with Kate and Dominic’s unparalleled expertise and relationships we can’t wait to see their ambitious slate brought to life. We look forward to continuing what has already proved to be a wonderful partnership”.
*Ringside Media was established in 2020 as part of parent company Newen’s strategy to expand into the English-speaking scripted market and to strengthen its ties to the world class production activity currently being generated out of the UK. The boutique investment fund, run through Ringside Studios, aims to make bespoke investments and partnerships with smaller companies looking for the benefits of a larger supportive international and domestic network whilst retaining independence from the more onerous obligations of a traditional studio model. The companies will also work closely with Newen Connect, Newen’s distribution arm.