Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Banijay UK takes stake in James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky’s ‘Rabbit Track Pictures’

28 June, 2023

Banijay UK today announced its investment in Rabbit Track Pictures, the London based TV & Film production company co-founded by film, TV and stage actor James Norton and scripted executive Kitty Kaletsky.

Rabbit Track Pictures launched in 2019 and has an impressive slate of diverse projects, including major scripted projects green lit for the BBC and for ITVX, alongside a raft of exciting developments across film and TV.  Their first film, Rogue Agent, a thriller for Netflix starring Norton, was released in 2022.

By taking a stake in the business, via the Banijay UK Growth Fund, Banijay UK will enable Rabbit Track Pictures to build its team and accelerate its growth strategy, ensuring it can continue to acquire the best IP.  The deal includes a first look with distributor, Banijay Rights.

Patrick Holland, CEO and Executive Chair of Banijay UK said: “James and Kitty have a truly impressive slate of projects and are incredibly ambitious for the growth of their business.  We are so delighted that they have chosen Banijay UK as their partner; their passion, commitment, talent and belief are exactly the qualities we want to invest in.  We can’t wait to start working together.”

James Norton said: “To be joining the Banijay family is such an exciting moment for us as a company.  Patrick and his team have been incredibly welcoming and supportive already, and clearly share mine and Kitty’s values and ambition for the company. We can’t wait to jump into the rabbit hole with them and see where the next step of this adventure takes us!”

Kitty Kaletsky added:  “When James first called me about running a company together, I was still fully living and working in Los Angeles. Little could we have imagined, when kick-starting Rabbit Track right before the pandemic, that just a few short years later, we’d be teaming up with such a huge and exciting partner as Banijay. We feel very lucky to be part of this family which will take our success to new levels and can’t wait to get going with Patrick and the whole group.”

James Norton is a leading film, television and stage actor and is Rabbit Track’s co-founder.  James’ recent TV projects include Happy Valley (BBC/Netflix), McMafia (BBC/AMC), The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC) and War and Peace(BBC). Film credits include Oscar-winning Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, Mr Jones directed by Oscar-nominated Agnieszka Holland, and Paramount’s upcoming Bob Marley biopic directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

He is currently starring in a sell-out, critically acclaimed stage production of Hanya Yanagihara’s bestselling novel A Little Life.

Kitty Kaletsky has worked in senior roles at leading TV and Film production companies on both sides of the Atlantic including Archery Pictures and Black Bear Pictures, having started her career at Number 9 Films. Kitty lived for four years in LA, running Oscar-winning Black Bear’s TV department, and as a result has strong relationships both in the UK and Hollywood. Kitty is Managing Director of Rabbit Track Pictures and is responsible for running all creative and business aspects of the company.

This deal is part of the Banijay UK £50m Banijay UK Growth Fund which allows the UK group to partner in high profile talent as well as investing in new businesses, to supercharge growth.

This is the seventh Growth Fund deal to be announced since it was launched in February 2023. Previous talent deals include a first look with scripted producer, Chris Sussman and a multi project deal with Scottish documentary director and producer Kevin Macdonald. The fund has also facilitated the acquisition of Mam Tor productions and investments in new scripted company Conker Pictures and North Wales based start-up, Ty’r Ddraig. It has also enabled DSP to grow the business launching DSP Films headed by Graeme McAulay to focus on premium documentaries.

Great Point helped launch Rabbit Track, along with fellow founding partner The Development Partnership, by providing seed investment via its Great Point Ventures EIS fund. Both Great Point Media and The Development Partnership remain shareholders in the company. Robert Taylor will remain a director at Rabbit Track Pictures.

Notes:

  • Great Point has backed a number of early-stage creative businesses, funded over 200 projects and invested in excess of £500 million in film and television productions.
  • Tom Manwaring of Helion Partners provided Rabbit Track with M&A advice on the transaction. Victoria Kimber of Danworth Associates also assisted Rabbit Track in arranging and negotiating the partnership, and Harbottle provided legal counsel. Simons Muirhead and Burton provided legal counsel to Banijay UK on this transaction.
  • The Development Partnership sits within The Partnership Group. Formed in 2021, The Partnership Group is made of a number of agencies and production businesses. Sitting within the group are The Artists Partnership, The Development Partnership, Sayle Screen, Sara Putt Associates, OWN IT! And BE HEARD VOICES. The ethos of the group is supporting artists in the pursuit of the highest quality of work.
  • James Norton is represented by The Artists Partnership (Agent Saskia Mulder), WME and JSSK law.