Miranda Hart, David Walliams and comedy producer Jo Sargent join forces to create new comedy production company
The creative power of two of Britain’s best-loved comedic talents have teamed up with renowned TV producer Jo Sargent to form King Bert Productions and develop new mainstream comedy and comedy entertainment content for broadcasters, whilst also looking to foster new talent for the genre.
I am thrilled to be working with two hugely talented people in Jo Sargent and Miranda Hart. We want to develop our own personal projects, and use our expertise to find and nurture new talent.
Click to tweet: .@mermhart @DavidWalliams & comedy producer Jo Sargent join forces to create new comedy production company http://bbc.in/1pjYuU6
BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, will support the new company with development funding and in return will acquire the global distribution rights to the production company’s programming output around the world.
Hart, Walliams and Sargent have already produced an impressive slate with current commissions including an adaption of Walliams’ book The Boy In The Dress; a big entertainment format; a second series of Big School; a development with the award-winning Max and Ivan for the BBC; two new sitcoms in development with Channel 4; plus several other projects soon to be announced. King Bert’s ultimate ambition is to develop and deliver more single camera comedy and audience sitcoms as well as comedy drama and comedy entertainment formats which will resonate not only in the UK, but internationally.
Developing both fledgling and established writing and performing talent is also high on King Bert Production’s agenda and the company is particularly keen to work with broadcasters to provide platforms for the very best British creative talent.
Jo Sargent, Director of King Bert Production comments: “It’s a great time for comedy and entertainment right now and really exciting to be starting this new venture. Developing both established and fledgling writing and performing talent is also high on our agenda. I’m particularly keen that we work with broadcasters to provide platforms for the best British creative on and off screen talent.”
David Walliams says: "I am thrilled to be working with two hugely talented people in Jo Sargent and Miranda Hart. We want to develop our own personal projects, and use our expertise to find and nurture new talent.”
Helen Jackson, Managing Director of Content at BBC Worldwide says: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with three of Britain’s leading creative comedy talents and even more excited at the prospect of bringing their projects to a global audience. BBC Worldwide is committed to supporting established, and nurturing new, British talent both in front of and behind the camera, and with David, Miranda and Jo fully committed to achieving this goal too, we’re in great company.”
Jo Sargent is one of the UK's leading television producers and former Creative Head of Comedy at the BBC where she was responsible for some of the BBC’s most iconic and successful shows, including French and Saunders, Absolutely Fabulous and the multi award-winning Miranda. Jo also has a track record of nurturing new comedy talent - both on and off screen.
David Walliams is one of Britain’s best-loved comedians. ‘Little Britain’, his creation with Matt Lucas, started on Radio 4 and soon progressed to BBC1. The show has won numerous international awards including three BAFTAs, and now plays in over 100 countries. David has proved himself as a dramatic actor, with acclaimed roles in Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Capturing Mary' for BBC2, as Frankie Howerd in the biopic ‘Rather You Than Me’ for BBC4, and on the stage in Harold Pinter’s 'No Man’s Land' starring alongside Sir Michael Gambon. He recently received the Comedy Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his performance as Bottom in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. His film credits also include The Look of Love, directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring Steve Coogan, Great Expectations directed by Mike Newell, Dinner For Schmucks with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, Run Fat Boy Run directed by David Schwimmer and starring Simon Pegg, and Stardust directed by Matthew Vaughn. A second series of his sitcom 'Big School' with Catherine Tate is currently in production. In 2012 David became a judge on ITV1's ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and hosted ‘The Royal Variety Performance’.
For more information, please contact:
Philip Fleming, Head of Communications, Global Brands and Content, BBC Worldwide at philip.fleming@bbc.com or on mobile 07824622077
NOTES TO EDITORS
About King Bert Productions:
Established in 2014, Directors Miranda Hart, David Walliams, Jo Sargent and Conor McCaughan make up King Bert Productions. The company's ultimate ambition is to develop and deliver more comedy drama, audience sitcoms and comedy entertainment which will resonate not only in the UK, but internationally. Sarah Fraser has also joined King Bert as Head of Development.
About BBC Worldwide Ltd:
BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). BBC Worldwide exists to support the BBC public service mission and to maximise profits on its behalf. It does this through investing in, commercialising and showcasing content from the BBC around the world, in a way that is consistent with BBC standards and values. The business also builds the reach and reputation of the BBC brand overseas and champions British creativity.
In 2012/13, BBC Worldwide generated headline profits of £156m and headline sales of £1,116m and returned £156m to the BBC. For more detailed performance information please see our Annual Review website: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/annualreview