BBC Buys Remaining Stake in 'War & Peace' Producer Lookout Point
The British TV production banner is currently shooting its all-star adaptation of 'Les Miserables.'
BBC Studios, the production and commercial arm of the BBC, has bought the remaining 51 percent stake in U.K. production banner Lookout Point that it didn't already own.
A price tag wasn't disclosed.
The deal between the two companies follows an eight-year relationship that began as a distribution deal in 2010. This was followed by a series of deals for minority stakes held by BBC Studios, then known as BBC Worldwide, from 35 percent to 49 percent in 2016.
Lookout Point, which was behind dramas including Ripper Street, the acclaimed War & Peace adaptation – a co-production between the BBC and The Weinstein Company – and Amazon series The Collection, will become an independent scripted studio within BBC Studios and will continue to be led by joint CEOs Simon Vaughan and Faith Penhale.
“Today’s announcement marks an important next step in our longstanding and successful relationship with Lookout Point," said Tim Davie, the CEO of BBC Studios. "We share the same ambitions and vision around the importance of collaborating to deliver some of the very best and boldest British dramas to audiences at home and across the globe. Increasing our investment in the company enables us to cement the partnership on a permanent basis and ensures Lookout Point can continue to realize its full potential as a leading British drama player, working independently with the very best talent on and off-screen in the industry."
Added Penhale: "Maintaining our independent spirit and ability to push the boundaries of our creative intent is paramount to us as a British drama company. BBC Studios’ backing, support and partnership creates a stable and long-term environment in which we can continue to build an ambitious range of titles, and provide a nurturing home for the incredible portfolio of talent who choose to work with us."
Upcoming titles from Lookout Point include Press for the BBC and Masterpiece, written by Mike Bartlett and starring Charlotte Riley and Ben Chaplin; Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic Les Miserables, currently filming in Belgium and Northern France and starring Dominic West, David Oyelowo and Lily Collins; Gentleman Jack, a BBC/HBO co-commission penned by Sally Wainwright and starring Suranne Jones, in production in Yorkshire; and Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, also adapted by Davies and directed by Mira Nair.
