In the wake of the breakout success of BBC One comedy “Daddy Issues,” Fremantle and Fudge Park are solidifying their partnership with a first look and development deal which will see Fremantle become the primary home for all of Fudge Park’s upcoming scripted projects. The UK indie will work closely with Fremantle’s Global Drama and International Distribution divisions to help develop its drama and comedy slate, growing its global footprint and forging pathways into new territories.
The deal was brokered by Jill Kellie, VP Commercial Strategy, Commercial & International and Jonathan Blyth, Managing Director at Fudge Park. It follows the success of Fremantle and Fudge Park’s recent collaboration on hit comedy “Daddy Issues” for the BBC which debuted on BBC Three and iPlayer in August, fast becoming BBC Three’s biggest new comedy series launch of the year and the biggest comedy series for BBC Three since the channel relaunch in 2021.
Set in Stockport, “Daddy Issues” sees Gemma (Aimee Lou Wood) discover she’s pregnant after a random hook-up. With her sister Catherine (Sharon Rooney) in prison and her mum Davina (Susan Lynch) travelling around the world to find herself, Gemma had no choice but to turn to her hapless father Malcolm (David Morrissey) for support. The end of the series saw Gemma going into labour at Rita's (Sarah Hadland) salon, then giving birth to baby Sadie with friends Cherry (Taj Atwal) and Xander (Arian Nik) by her side. Meanwhile, Malcolm rushed to make it to the hospital in time, with toxic friend Derek (David Fynn) in tow. But a face from the past could change everything for them. From dating disasters and failed romances through to toxic friendships and messy family dynamics, the show is a big hearted story about a father and daughter, and the reality of facing up to parenthood - at any stage of life.
“Daddy Issues” (6x30’) is a Fudge Park production for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, created and written by Danielle Ward (“Brassic”). It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC and Fiona Campbell, Controller, Youth Audience, BBC iPlayer and BBC Three. The Director is Damon Beesley (“White Gold”), the Producer is Lynn Roberts (“Man Like Mobeen”) and the Executive Producers are Phil Gilbert (“White Gold”) for Fudge Park Productions, alongside Aimee Lou Wood, David Morrissey, Danielle Ward and Damon Beesley. The commissioner for the BBC is Seb Barwell. Fremantle is handling global sales.
Jonathan Blyth, Managing Director at Fudge Park, said: “We’ve loved working with the team at Fremantle over the last year who’ve been an outstanding partner on ‘Daddy Issues.’ They really understand the DNA of Fudge Park and share our creative vision, so broadening the partnership was an easy decision to make.”
Rebecca Dundon, SVP, Head of Scripted Commercial, C&I and Global Drama at Fremantle, added: “Fudge Park is a rare gem, where talent-driven vision meets universal themes and sharp, original writing. They consistently deliver fresh, engaging content, and I couldn't be prouder to kick off our partnership following the success of ‘Daddy Issues.’ I’m excited to see where we go from here - the sky’s the limit!"
The partnership marks the latest in a line of strategic global collaborations between Fremantle and some of the industry’s most visionary creative talent, with other first look deals in place with the likes of Kristen Stewart’s Nevermind Pictures, BAFTA-winning Me+You Productions and Roughcut Television, Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula, Luca Guadagnino, Paolo Sorrentino, Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz and Polly Stokes’ Astral Projection, Edward Berger and his label Nine Hours, Johan Renck and Michael Parets’ Sinestra, Patrick Daly’s Caledonia Productions as well as ongoing collaborations with acclaimed writers and directors including Michael Winterbottom.