BBC Studios Acquires Full Ownership of Producer Firebird Pictures

The company, founded by two former BBC execs, is working on ‘Wilderness,’ a six-part series for Amazon Prime Video, starring Jenna Coleman, and an adaptation of Nikki May’s novel ‘Wahala’ for BBC One.

BBC Studios has upped its stake to take full ownership of UK scripted indie Firebird Pictures.

The deal sees the BBC commercial arm taking full ownership of the production firm, which was launched by former BBC executives Elizabeth Kilgarriff and Craig Holleworth in 2019.

BBC Studios has been a minority investor in the business since it was launched and sells its IP worldwide. The indie has recently had two series green-lit: Wilderness, a six-part series for Amazon Prime Video, written by Marnie Dickens and based on BE Jones’ novel, starring Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen and currently shooting in Canada and the US; and an adaptation of Nikki May’s debut novel, Wahala, written by Theresa Ikoko for BBC One, due to shoot in the UK next year.

Established in 2019 by former BBC executives Kilgarriff and Holleworth, Firebird works with and champions top level and emerging talent to create high-end character-led series for British and international audiences. BBC Studios has been a minority investor in the business since it was launched. The indie has recently had two major series green-lit: Wilderness, a six-part series for Amazon Prime Video, written by Marnie Dickens and based on BE Jones’ novel, starring Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen and currently shooting in Canada and the US; and an adaptation of Nikki May’s best-selling debut novel, Wahala, written by Theresa Ikoko for BBC One, due to shoot in the UK next year. Firebird has multiple projects in development with many of the major UK and US platforms, with more greenlights due to be announced later this year.

On announcing the deal, Mark Linsey, Managing Director Scripted, BBC Studios said: “Since it launched three years ago, Firebird has been firing on all cylinders, attracting top and emerging talent and building an exciting slate with international appeal. With two major series now green lit and a number of shows in development, we’re excited to bring Liz and Craig into the BBC Studios family and support them in this next phase of their journey. ”

“Since it launched three years ago, Firebird has been firing on all cylinders, attracting top and emerging talent and building an exciting slate with international appeal. With two major series now green lit and a number of shows in development, we’re excited to bring Liz and Craig into the BBC Studios family and support them in this next phase of their journey,” said Mark Linsey, managing director, scripted, BBC Studios.

“From the very beginning of Firebird’s journey with just a blank piece of paper and an empty office with one chair, BBC Studios have supported and backed us every step of the way, fully trusting in our vision and ambition and helping build the company to where we are today.  We are delighted to now be cementing our relationship and are excited for Firebird’s future as we grow the company together,” added Kilgarriff and Holleworth.