‘Clarkson’s Farm’s Expectation Partners With Plegazoid On Formats

‘Clarkson’s Farm’ Producer Expectation Partners With Plegazoid

Clarkson’s Farm producer Expectation is partnering with ex-Endemol creative chief David Flynn’s indie Plegazoid. Flynn will work closely with Expectation’s development team to create entertainment formats in the gameshow and reality space for networks and streamers in the UK, which will be co-produced with Plegazoid. Plegazoid, which launched in late 2023, previously had a similar relationship in place with Flintoff producer South Shore, which birthed ITV quiz Time is Money. That deal has effectively been replaced by the Expectation partnership. Expectation is best known for producing Clarkson’s Farm, the hit Prime Video series about the former Top Gear host’s trials and tribulations running a farm in the Cotswolds. Ben Wicks, Creative Director of Entertainment, Expectation, said: “David has created some of the most successful game shows ever made, wildly original reality formats, and above all else: huge hits. His shows have cemented themselves into the schedules for decades and been sold to so many countries even David himself would struggle to name them all. In short, nothing is guaranteed in life – apart from David Flynn coming up with un-turndownable formats, and we are elated to be working together on his next dazzling array of hit shows.” Flynn is a former Chief Creative Officer at Endemol UK with credits including The Million Pound Drop and Pointless.

Prime Video Buys Docs On Anni Dewani, Yorkshire Ripper & More

Prime Video’s latest set of British true crime shows include projects about Anni Dewani, Christopher Halliwell, the Yorkshire Ripper, the London railway murders and the murder of 16-year old Becky Watts. The Amazon streamer, which has been leaning into true crime, has struck a deal with All3Media-backed Story Films for the shows. Leading the slate is  The Honeymoon Murder: Who Killed Anni Dewani?, exploring the terrifying death of the woman who didn’t survive her honeymoon. Hunting The Yorkshire Ripper, meanwhile, uncovers how police tracked down a hoaxer who allowed a serial killer to continue his murderous spree, while there are a trio of other shows. Several weeks back, we revealed Prime Video had bought shows on Shannon Matthews, the Orkney assassin and a Tinder predator. Story Films factual boss Adam Hopkins said: “These cases all captured national and international attention, now we’re honoured to be able to tell the full stories, filming with the families and friends who were left devastated by these shocking crimes, as well as the investigative and legal teams who set out in pursuit of justice.”

Louis Theroux’s Agency Sold To New Investment Firm

KBJ Management, which reps the likes of Louis Theroux and Mary Berry, has been acquired by a new investment firm led by Alex Fane. OVM Group has bought the business, which launched in 2000 as a sister agency to PBJ Management to rep news and factual broadcasters. Fane, who runs events indie the Fane Group, has joined the board as shareholder. Company Director Joanna Kaye now takes a strategic role as Chair of KBJ, with Tracey MacLeod assuming the role of Managing Director, working alongside Director and Senior Agent Theia Nankivell. Chloe Gott, Senior Agent, takes on the new role of Head of Development and Jess Hardy continues in the role of Senior Agent for Brand and Commercial work. KBJ reps celebrated documentarian Theroux along with the likes of chef Berry, Ed Balls, Mishal Husain, Kevin McCloud and Lucy Worsley. PBJ retains a stake in KBJ and Fane will continue running the Fane Group, while more acquisitions could be incoming via OVM. “I’ve long admired KBJ for their client-focused approach to business,” said Fane. “I founded OVM to champion exceptional independent companies and I can’t think of a better place to start than with this outstanding team.”

‘Screen Players Film Club’ Podcast Launches

A podcast for film geeks featuring Sam Taylor-Johnson and Simon Beaufoy as guests has launched today. Screen Players Film Club will reveal the stories and secrets behind the making of much-loved movies. The Screen Factory’s Charlotte Bogard Macleod is hosting and a launch takes place tonight in London. Bogard Macleod said: “Screen Players Film Club started as a film-geek’s impulse to share great movies, and invite those who created them to explore the stories of bringing them to the big screen What side-swiped me was that initial chats about the movie making process swiftly moved onto something more profound, as guests opened up to stories behind making these films. Now it really feels like a club, for both film lovers and lovers of life, as we eavesdrop on moments like Sam Taylor-Johnson’s startling revelation of maternal abandonment, Simon Beaufoy’s admission of Oscar night anxieties, and Nick Broomfield’s confession of the enduring influence of his first love.”