The deal will see BBC Studios take global rights on all new scripted television programmes co-developed, co-produced and commissioned from BBC Studios Productions and People Person Pictures Ltd, the new company formed by British Comedy award-winning actor Simon Bird (The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner) and Edinburgh Comedy award-winner Jonny Sweet (Chickens, Together).
Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet have been involved in hugely successful comedy titles such as the BAFTA award-winning The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner and Johnny English, and co-wrote and starred in Sky One comedy Chickens.
Josh Cole, Head of Comedy at BBC Studios Production said: “We are long-time admirers of Simon and Jonny’s work – they are not only exceptionally gifted writers and performers but also producers, working closely with the industry’s most exciting, emerging comic talent. We’ve wanted this to happen for a long time and can’t wait to get started.”
Jonathan Blyth, Director of Comedy at BBC Studios Content Partnerships added: “There is strong international appetite for Simon and Jonny’s warm and irreverent brand of comedy. We are thrilled to be partnering with them to help bring their brilliant projects to life for both UK and global audiences.”
Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet, People Person Pictures Ltd said “BBC Studios has been the beating heart of British comedy for decades and we’re humbled to be joining its ranks. We look forward to continuing the work we started at Guilty Party Pictures, putting writers and comedians at the centre of the production process, to create inventive, diverse, high-quality television.”
BBC Studios Productions has been the home of British comedy for over half a century and is responsible for many of the greatest programmes of all time. From The Office, Absolutely Fabulous and Only Fools & Horses, to The Thick Of It, Little Britain and Monty Python. Current successes include BAFTA winning shows Inside No. 9 and This Country, two series of Trying for Apple TV+, fantasy epic Good Omens for Amazon, Liam Williams’ Ladhood, award-winning sketch show Famalam, hit sitcom Two Doors Down and Gbemisola Ikumelo’s BAFTA winning Brain in Gear for the BBC.