BBC Studios appoints Nick Lee as new Commercial Director of Drama and Comedy Productions

BBC Studios has announced the appointment of Nick Lee as Commercial Director Drama and Comedy. The appointment follows Caroline Stone’s recent departure from BBC Studios. “I am so pleased to have Nick joining us at BBC Studios," Mark Linsey, President, BBC Studios Scripted Productions said. "He has a proven track record as an astute deal maker and this combined with his passion for drama and comedy is going to make him a fantastic addition to the team.”

Upon assuming the new role, Lee will be responsible for developing the commercial strategy for the company's overall portfolio, leading on key partnership deals, driving new business and providing leadership and direction to Commercial Directors in Drama and Comedy. He will report to Saul Venit, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Studios Scripted Productions and will take up his role on a date to be confirmed. The executive will work alongside the production team credited with  dramas and comedies like award-winning "Time," "Sherwood," "Am I Being Unreasonable," "Black Ops" and "Inside No. 9" as well as the hotly anticipated "The Famous Five," "A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder" and "Truelove."

Lee began his media career at ITV Plc. He then went on to become the BBC’s Commercial Manager, Multiplatform & Home Entertainment, a role that positioned him as the face of BBC Production to the market, representing drama, comedy, natural history to the US studios and European distribution partners. He joined Channel 4 in 2013, holding a variety of roles within Acquisitions before becoming Head of Acquisitions and International in 2021. He has been key to evolving and diversifying the acquisition business model and created many successful partnerships, delivering premium content in a competitive landscape with titles like "Handmaids Tale," "Fargo," "Rick and Morty," "The Great."

In addition to overseeing the True Crime on 4 initiative, the growth of VOD catalogue titles and the pre-buying of scripted and non-scripted into the peak schedule. Prior to Channel 4 he was Acquisitions Manager, TV Series, Feature Docs & Special Interest at NBC Universal delivering third party deals for the NBCU Int. Distribution group. “I'm hugely proud of my achievements at Channel 4 and I now relish the chance to help shape the creative strategy of BBC Studios and work with its stellar portfolio of scripted producers," Lee said.