Studiocanal is greatly accelerating its development in TV series production by announcing today at MIP-TV, the leading global TV and digital content market in Cannes, France, investments in several independent companies that are home to some of the most recognizable European talent in the industry.
These investments concern Spanish company Bambú Producciones, a company based in Madrid of which Studiocanal is acquiring 33%, Urban Myth Films in London (20%), and Sunny March TV also based in London (20%). Each deal includes distribution agreements.
Studiocanal already has a strong presence in TV series production via its subsidiaries Tandem in Germany, and RED Production Company in the UK, as well as its stakes in SAM (Denmark) and Guilty Party (UK).
- Founded in 2007 in Madrid, Bambú Producciones is run by its two founders, Teresa Fernández-Valdés and Ramon Campos. Bambú stands out as one of the most creative TV production companies in Spain, with a slate of more than 10 original, high-quality, and internationally ambitious series. Among them, Refugiados, co-produced with BBC Worldwide, is the first Spanish series shot in English, while successful Grand Hotel and Velvet series have been sold all over the world.
- Based in London, Urban Myth Films was founded in 2013 by an experienced team of international producers and screenwriters. Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy were behind the launch of Shine Drama in 2002, and of several international hits series, including Merlin for BBC One. Howard Overman has created and written several hit shows, including Misfits on E4, which won a BAFTA in 2010.
- Sunny March TV is a production company recently founded in London by Benedict Cumberbatch (picture), currently one of the most popular and successful British actors both in film and on television, where he plays the title role in the global-hit Sherlock (BBC) series. Studiocanal has a special relationship with Benedict Cumberbatch, who held leading roles in two of its most iconic films: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which won 2 BAFTA, including for Outstanding British film in 2012, and The Imitation Game, which won an Oscar in 2015.
This series of deals is part of Studiocanal’s strategy to strengthen its position as a European leader in the production of local and international television series, the same way it is already a European leader in the production of feature films.
