First-look development deal signed with BAFTA-winning Roughcut Television
Following the news of recently announced drama Little Disasters, Fremantle and multi-award winning production company Roughcut TV have announced a major global collaboration.
Founded by Ash Atalla and Tim Sealey, Roughcut TV has created award-winning comedy shows such as Big Boys, Stath Lets Flats, Cuckoo and recent drama hit Coma. The first look and drama development deal will see Fremantle become the primary home for Roughcut TV’s scripted drama projects, with the producer working closely with Fremantle’s acclaimed Global Drama and International Distribution divisions. The deal was spearheaded by Jill Kellie, VP Commercial Strategy, Commercial & International at Fremantle and Tim Sealey, Chief Operating Officer at Roughcut.
The news comes as Roughcut rapidly scales up its scripted drama work, with a team led by CEO Ash Atalla, Creative Director Alex Smith and Head of Drama Marianna Abbotts, and in the wake of a recent collaboration with Fremantle on new psychological thriller Little Disasters for Paramount+ starring Diane Kruger (Troy, Inglourious Basterds), Jo Joyner (The Wives, For Her Sins), Shelley Conn (Gen V, Alex Rider) and Emily Taaffe (The Rising, The Beast Must Die). Little Disasters was commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell and Paul Testar for Paramount+ UK & Ireland and adapted from the novel by bestselling author Sarah Vaughan (Anatomy of a Scandal). The seriesis a tense and compelling drama exploring female friendships, motherhood, privilege and societal pressures in the context of a decade long friendship between four women who first met as expectant mothers.
The series is produced by Roughcut TV in association with Fremantle. Ruth Fowler and Amanda Duke adapted the series for the screen with Roughcut TV executive producers Ash Atalla, Alex Smith and Marianna Abbotts on board. Eva Sigurdardottir is the director and Myf Hopkins serves as the producer. Simon Judd executive produces for Fremantle and Fremantle is handling global sales.
Roughcut TV is one of the UK’s most prolific independent production companies and has a global reputation as a major scripted producer. Earlier this year Roughcut’s first scripted drama, Coma, aired on Channel 5 starring Jason Watkins, quickly becoming the most watched drama for the channel of 2024 with consolidated ratings of 5 million. The company has been leading the comedy space with multi award-winning productions such as BAFTA nominated Big Boys (Channel 4), most recently critically-acclaimed comedy Things You Should Have Done (BBC Three), and later this Summer launches much anticipated comedy drama We Might Regret This on BBC Two. Roughcut TV’s commercial success is surpassed only by its critical acclaim, with unique thoroughly modern and groundbreaking shows making it one of the UK’s most enviable brands in TV. Previously, the Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA winning producer Ash Atalla produced multi-award winning shows The Office and The IT Crowd.
Ash Atalla, CEO, Roughcut Television, said: “This Fremantle deal is a game changing moment for Roughcut as we accelerate our push into drama. Our goal is build fast and become one of a new generation of global drama suppliers. And with the success of Coma, and recently commissioned Little Disasters, the work starts now.”
Rebecca Dundon, SVP Scripted Content, International at Fremantle, said: “Roughcut’s commercial sensibility and brilliant creative vision lead by Ash, Alex and Marianna is making for an exciting slate of original, contemporary drama series that feel in tune with what audiences and buyers are actively seeking both locally and globally. We’re excited to start our drama journey with the highly anticipated Diane Kruger fronted thriller Little Disasters and can’t wait to surprise, entertain and inspire audiences across the world with their wider drama ambitions as these projects move from page to screen.”
