The deal marks a significant investment by BBC Studios Productions Australia in the local production industry and provides Werner Film Productions with the backing of one of the world’s biggest global distributors, as it continues to grow its production of drama series for Australian and global audiences.
Werner Film Productions will continue to be led by Company Director Joanna Werner and Managing Director Stuart Menzies and will operate alongside BBC Studios’ local production arm as an independent label, with both companies producing their own projects. This model replicates the way that BBC Studios works with many of its other production labels and invested indies in the UK and globally, supporting some of the world’s leading creative companies and talent.
Alongside an exciting slate of projects in development, Werner Film Productions is currently in production on the third series of The Newsreader which has won multiple awards, including 10 AACTAs and two Logies, and became one of the BBC’s most watched dramas when it launched in the UK, as well as ranking fourth in Variety’s list of the best international tv shows of 2022. Teen surfing drama Surviving Summer picked up a cult audience around the world with this year’s second series spending two weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10.
Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director of BBC Studios Productions Australia, said: “I’m excited to welcome Werner Film Productions into the family. Australia has an incredibly vibrant creative community and is producing shows that resonate around the world so it’s a great time to invest further to support our local production industry.
“Jo and Stuart are amongst the best in the business and have a great track record in producing smart, entertaining and engaging dramas that speak to international audiences while remaining quintessentially Aussie. Their commitment to growing a sustainable industry and nurturing new talent aligns exactly with our values making them a fantastic addition to BBC Studios’ stable of independent labels.”
Jo Werner, Company Director, Werner Film Productions, said: – “We are absolutely thrilled to join the global powerhouse BBC Studios and the brilliant team at BBC Studios Productions Australia. Working with BBC Studios will help us continue to tell Australian stories on a larger canvas for audiences here and around the world.”
Matt Forde, Managing Director, Global Entertainment, BBC Studios Productions said: “It has been great getting to know Jo, Stuart and the rest of the Werner Film Productions team over the last couple of years. Their passion and creativity has seen them carve out a place as one of the most talented and interesting scripted companies in the world. The Newsreader has been a massive hit on the BBC in the UK with viewers and critics alike, as well as internationally. I’m excited by the projects they have in development and the opportunity for BBC Studios to support the slate that Jo is building.”
BBC Studios Productions Australia Slate
BBC Studios Productions Australia is currently in production on local Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise, produced with Red Planet Pictures for the ABC in association with the BBC; Dancing With the Stars for Seven Network; Top Gear Australia for Paramount+ and Mastermind for SBS. A second series of hit quiz show The 1% Club is currently on air on Seven Network with a third series already commissioned. The Office Australia, co-produced with Bunya Entertainment, will screen on Prime Video and The Great Australian Bake Off S8, based on the format created by Love Productions, will screen on Lifestyle/Binge later this year. Original unscripted titles for SBS are The MatchMakers, which screened in February and Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye which will air later in 2024.
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with sales of £2.1 billion (2021/22: £1,630 million). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the global Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Channels & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. Around 2,500 hours of award-winning British programmes are made by the business every year, with over 80% of total BBC Studios revenues coming from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com is BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, offering up-to-the-minute international news, in-depth analysis and features.
