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.

Tag Archive: Steven Knight

  1. Banijay UK Acquires Caryn Mandabach Productions, Prolific Producers of Critically Acclaimed Global Hit ‘Peaky Blinders’

    Comments Off on Banijay UK Acquires Caryn Mandabach Productions, Prolific Producers of Critically Acclaimed Global Hit ‘Peaky Blinders’

    Banijay UK has today announced its acquisition of independent scripted production company Caryn Mandabach Productions Limited (CMP). The company, founded by award-winning producer Caryn Mandabach produces the BAFTA-winning global, hit drama series and brand, “Peaky Blinders”.

    Mandabach, whose list of credits is extensive, will pivot to a first-look development and producer agreement with Banijay UK under her newly formed Conduit Productions umbrella.

    Under the agreement, CMP’s slate of projects and back catalogue transfers to Banijay UK. Moving forward, the group will manage all future series, spin-offs, and brand ventures resulting from that IP including the recently announced Peaky Blinders movie greenlit by Netflix (which Mandabach remains attached to as a producer alongside Steven Knight, Cillian Murphy and Guy Heeley). CMP’s Creative Director Jamie Glazebrook will remain in post with the company, which will continue to operate, post-acquisition, under the new name of Garrison Drama Limited. Banijay Rights will continue to distribute and exploit existing and new programmes produced by Garrison Drama Limited.

    Prior to starting CMP in the UK, Mandabach developed and produced seminal hits “The Cosby Show”, “Roseanne”, “3rd Rock From The Sun,” “That ’70s Show” and “Nurse Jackie” in the U.S.

    Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK, said; “Caryn Mandabach is one of the legends of the UK/US drama markets and Banijay has been hugely privileged to work with her over the years (through Peaky Blinders co producer Tiger Aspect and via Banijay Rights), especially on the global phenomenon that is ‘Peaky Blinders’. Steve Knight’s truly unique vision found a similarly maverick spirit in producer partner Caryn and the series redefined TV drama.  We are so excited to be announcing that Caryn’s company, CMP, is being fully acquired by Banijay, and are delighted that she’s agreed to a separate development deal with us and we look forward to future collaborations”. He added: “Steve has plans for future chapters of the ‘Peaky Blinders’ universe and CMP’s other development projects will also come to Banijay as part of the deal.  Jamie Glazebrook will continue to work across this slate.”

    Mandabach said: “As a serial entrepreneur, I have fortunately been able to help conjure up and maintain rights in hits that resonate with global audiences. ‘Peaky’ was such a show.  And imagine my delight in being able to work with Cillian Murphy for ten years!”

    She added: “I know that Patrick and everyone at Banijay are fully aware of the power of this franchise, and they will continue to expand upon the intrinsic value of this uniquely wonderful IP. With Conduit, I look forward to partnering with Banijay on new and equally thrilling ventures.”

    “Peaky Blinders,” written by Steven Knight, is the multi-award-winning, epic gangster drama set in the lawless streets of Birmingham over a period spanning the end of World War One to the early 1930s. Series 1 aired on BBC Two on 13 September 2013 and debuted on Netflix a year later. It moved to BBC One in 2019 for its fifth series with the sixth and final series launching on BBC One/ iPlayer in February 2022 and on Netflix June 2022.

    Banijay UK label Tiger Aspect, has worked alongside CMP as a coproducer for all six series.

    The deal was orchestrated by Patrick Holland for Banijay UK, part of content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, with Simon Muirhead Burton LLP steering the deal to conclusion, as instructed by Banijay UK General Counsel Jacqueline Moreton.  CAA Evolution, DLA Piper, Gina Marcheschi for 6th St Creative, and Nicole Finnan for CMP and Mandabach.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

  2. The Official Peaky Blinders Manchester is Unveiled

    Comments Off on The Official Peaky Blinders Manchester is Unveiled

    Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay today announces the unveiling of the official bar and restaurant Peaky Blinders Manchester.

    Situated in the heart of the city, Peaky Blinders Manchester is a destination venue for fans of the show to enjoy food, drink, and entertainment with a 1920s influence, inspired by the hit series. Lining the walls of the venue are exclusive images taken from the series and show props that were used during filming. The drinks menu includes an extensive range of Peaky Blinders themed cocktails such as Monaghan Boy, Solomon’s Silence and Sweet Ada, while the food menu includes classic dishes with a Peaky Blinderstwist. Weekly live entertainment includes bands and performers which echo the glamour and style of the roaring twenties.

    David Christopher, Group Director of Licensing and Merchandising, Banijay, says: “We love to offer fans the chance to inhabit the incredible world of Peaky Blinders, and a venue like this, which is enjoyed by so many people, complements our portfolio of immersive entertainment. Bringing Peaky Blinders Manchester on board as an official licensee, ensures customers can enjoy an experience synonymous with the integrity, quality and character of the series.”

    The multi-award-winning Peaky Blinders was created and written by Steven Knight (SAS Rogue Heroes, Taboo, See, Great Expectations). The series is produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions and co-produced with Banijay’s Tiger Aspect Productions. The global Peaky Blinders brand is owned by Caryn Mandabach Productions. Distributed by Banijay Rights it has sold in more than 183 countries and is widely available internationally on Netflix including in the USA.

    https://www.peakyblindersmanchester.com/

  3. Banijay Brands Deploys SAS Rogue Heroes

    Comments Off on Banijay Brands Deploys SAS Rogue Heroes

    Banijay Brands, the commercial arm of content powerhouse Banijay, today announces it will represent a range of commercial rights for the Kudos (a Banijay UK company) series, SAS Rogue Heroes.

    Created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, A Christmas Carol), SAS Rogue Heroes is produced by Kudos for the BBC with MGM+. Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, the show centres on David Stirling, an eccentric young officer, who is hospitalised after a training exercise gone wrong. The first series became a huge hit with viewers and critics alike, attracting an audience of 9.4 million viewers on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK. Season two, which again will be a dramatised account of the origins of the SAS, has begun filming.

    Owain Walbyoff, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay says: “With breath-taking cinematography and beautifully crafted characters, SAS Rogue Heroes is a visually powerful show that lends itself perfectly to a broad range of products and activations. Banijay Brands has extensive expertise in driving the commercial performance of our shows and we are delighted to add Steven and Kudos’ brilliant creation to our portfolio.”

    Martin Haines joint Managing Director, Kudos added: “Viewers worldwide have connected deeply with Steven’s storytelling and this has opened the door for the exploration of products and experiences for audiences to enjoy beyond the screen. With our second series on the horizon there is so much more to come for SAS Rogue Heroes fans and I look forward to seeing how the brand evolves further in this way.”

    Key cast for the series includes Jack O’Connell as Paddy Mayne, Connor Swindells as David Stirling, Sofia Boutella as Eve Mansour, and Dominic West as Dudley Clarke. Gwilym Lee (The Great, Bohemian Rhapsody) joins for series two to play Bill Stirling, David Stirling’s brother and founder of the 2SAS regiment, while Con O’Neill (Happy Valley, Our Flag Means Death) will play General Montgomery.

    SAS Rogue Heroes is distributed internationally by Banijay Rights. The series was developed for television and written and executive produced by Steven Knight. Series two (6×60’) will be directed by Stephen Woolfenden (Outlander, Willow) with Stephen Smallwood (The Serpent, Patrick Melrose) as producer. The series will be executive produced by Karen Wilson, Emma Kingsman-Lloyd and Martin Haines for Kudos, and Nick Lambon for the BBC.

  4. EPIX, Banijay Rights Take SAS: Rogue Heroes to US

    Comments Off on EPIX, Banijay Rights Take SAS: Rogue Heroes to US

    Premium network EPIX today announced it has acquired the major new six-part limited series SAS: Rogue Heroes from global distributor Banijay Rights.

    In a deal negotiated by Banijay Rights’ Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions, the acquisition marks the first international deal for SAS: Rogue Heroes.

    Produced by Kudos and Nebulastar for EPIX and BBC, SAS: Rogue Heroes is a dramatized account of how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two. Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, the series centers on David Stirling, an eccentric young officer, who is hospitalized after a training exercise gone wrong. Convinced that traditional commando units don’t work, Stirling creates a radical plan that flies in the face of all accepted rules of modern warfare. He fights for permission to recruit the toughest, boldest, and brightest soldiers for a small undercover unit that will create mayhem behind enemy lines. More rebels than soldiers, Stirling’s team is every bit as complicated, flawed, and reckless as it is brave and heroic.

     

    SAS: Rogue Heroes is developed for television and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, A Christmas Carol) and will be directed by Tom Shankland (The Serpent, The Missing), with Stephen Smallwood (The Serpent, Patrick Melrose) as producer. The series is executive produced by Karen Wilson, Martin Haines and Emma Kingsman-Lloyd for Kudos, and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.  Commissioned by the BBC, SAS: Rogue Heroes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

     

    Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Vigil) will play David Stirling, with Jack O’Connell (Skins, The North Water) as Paddy Mayne, Alfie Allen (Jojo Rabbit, Game of Thrones) as Jock Lewes, Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk, The King) as SAS Founding member Mike Sadler, and Sofia Boutella (Modern Love, Atomic Blonde) as Eve. Dominic West (The Wire, Appropriate Adult) will play Lieutenant Colonel Wrangel Clarke.

    “Steven Knight and Kudos have created a gripping historical drama that complements EPIX’s lineup of elevated, cinematic  storytelling,” said Michael Wright, President, EPIX & President MGM Scripted Television. “We’re delighted to be teaming up with Banijay Rights to give this series an exclusive home on EPIX for the American audience.”

     

    “SAS: Rogue Heroes is a masterstroke of a series from the visionary Steven Knight, packed with a stellar cast who bring this fantastic story to life. We are thrilled that EPIX have come on board to take this fantastic drama to a wider US audience,” said Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions, Rest of the World, Banijay Rights.

     

    Martin Haines, Co-Managing Director of Kudos added: “EPIX is a perfect partner that shares our vision and ambition. We are delighted they are our US partners on this epic show.”

     

    The series will also star Amir El Masry (Industry, The One), Theo Barklem-Biggs (The First Team, Carnival Row), Corin Silva (The Bay, Emmerdale), Jacob Ifan (Bang, The Accident), Dónal Finn (Cursed, The Witcher), Jacob McCarthy (The Last Summer, A.P. Bio), César Domboy (Outlander, The Walk), Michael Schaeffer (Chernobyl, The Salisbury Poisonings) and Miles Jupp (The Great, The Durrells).

    Commissioned by the BBC, SAS: Rogue Heroes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.