Clelia Mountford is set to exit film production company Merman to launch an All3Media-backed scripted indie label, Sunburnt Penguin. The new company will sit within All3Media’s scripted ranks, focusing on drama and comedy projects, as it debuts with a development slate in place. All3Media International will be the worldwide distribution partner for Sunburnt Penguin.
Mountford co-founded Merman with Sharon Horgan in 2014 and together they built a TV and film production business in the UK and U.S. with credits for the likes of Apple TV+’s comedy “Bad Sisters,” which is set to debut a second season on November 13; BBC comedies “Motherland” and “There She Goes,” Channel 4 and Prime Video’s “Catastrophe”; Channel 4/Hulu co-pro “This Way Up”; and Sky drama “Dreamland.” Mountford also executive produced the upcoming Channel 4 series “Disability Benefits” with Rosie Jones and Amandaland for BBC One, starring Lucy Punch.
Jane Turton, All3Media CEO, said: “Clelia is an exceptionally talented producer with fantastic creative credentials. I am delighted that she is joining All3Media with Sunburnt Penguin.”
Mountford added: “After a wonderful decade at Merman, I am delighted to be joining the brilliant All3Media family for my next chapter. I’m looking forward to working with this dream team as I create a slate of unique scripted series.”
Prior to co-founding Merman, Mountford devised and produced two series of the comedy drama “A Young Doctor’s Notebook” starring Jon Hamm and Daniel Radcliffe, for Sky Arts. She was also Head of Comedy at RDF and Head of Radio/Script Associate at TalkbackThames.
Mountford began her career in theater and radio, producing comedy and drama for BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4, and was assistant producer on numerous theater tours and West End shows.