Joe Sugg and Sacha Grimsditch
BBC Studios has agreed a partnership deal with Final Straw Productions, a new production company set up by award-winning digital creator, actor, author and entertainment personality Joe Sugg. Final Straw Productions will focus on developing entertainment and factual entertainment formats for audiences of all ages. The development, production, and distribution deal will give BBC Studios a first-look on all its content.
The BBC Studios family has worked with Sugg since 2015. During that time, he has grown his digital following to 7.7 million subscribers, achieved runner-up status on “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2018 and hosted “Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast.” He is also the author of a successful graphic novel series, and has launched an acting career, winning roles in “Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre,” “London,” and in the BBC One drama “The Syndicate.”
"I am really excited to partner with BBC Studios on this future venture with Final Straw Productions. My head has always been so full of ideas, so to be able to have the opportunity to build a great team who can help bring these ideas to life with the backing of BBC Studios and their guidance and expertise is fantastic," Joe Sugg commented.
“Joe is a fantastic creator who entertains and delights audiences across a range of platforms including his successful YouTube channel, on screen, as a podcast host and through his writing. He’s a creative force, and we’re so pleased that BBC Studios will continue to work with him during the next stage of his career. We can’t wait to support him in bringing his new projects to life,” added Helen O’Donnell, Head of BBC Studios TalentWorks.
As part of the deal, BBC Studios’ Sacha Grimsditch will join Final Straw Productions as Development Executive to support Sugg as he establishes the business. Sacha has a wealth of experience in developing content across multiple genres, with credits that include new and established titles from “Celebrity Big Painting Challenge” to “Top Gear.” He has previously worked across a number of big name companies like Talkback, Fremantle and Youngest Media.