ITV Studios announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Eagle Eye Drama, UK drama production company which was launched in 2018 by Walter Iuzzolino, Jo McGrath and Jason Thorp, the team also behind international drama streaming service, Walter Presents on Channel 4. Eagle Eye, which has been part of Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund since 2019, produces a wide breadth of scripted content from original dramas to adaptations of international series for English speaking audiences, with its slate including a raft of hit returning shows including ITV’s “Professor T” and “Hotel Portofino,” Channel 4’s “Before We Die” and “Suspect,” as well as “The Couple Next Door,” which was Channel 4’s biggest ever scripted streaming launch.
As part of the deal, ITV Studios has also acquired a majority stake in the Belgium-based production services company Happy Duck, led by producer and director Dries Vos (“Professor T,” “The Couple Next Door”), which services Eagle Eye’s global slate. International distribution of the new Eagle Eye series will be handled by ITV Studios.
“Professor T,” starring Ben Miller and adapted from the Belgian series of the same name, has sold into over 120 territories worldwide, while “Hotel Portofino” aired in over 70 territories across five continents and “The Couple Next Door” clocked up very strong international sales. Forthcoming series include PBS’ “Patience,” starring Laura Fraser (“Breaking Bad”) and Ella Maisy Purvis (“Malpractice”) and “Bookish,” created by and starring Mark Gatiss for UKTV’s Alibi, while the company has multiple projects in development.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios, said: “Since launching Eagle Eye just five years ago, Walter, Jo and Jason have built a really impressive scripted business. Disruptive, innovative and international, Eagle Eye has carved out a real point of difference in the market. I'm delighted to welcome them to ITV Studios.”
Eagle Eye Drama CEO, Walter Iuzzolino, added: “The team has built ITV Studios into the most exciting production powerhouse in the UK, and we are incredibly proud and honored to be joining them, and the distinguished list of extraordinary creative minds, for the next phase of Eagle Eye’s growth trajectory.”
Caroline Murphy, Head of the Indie Growth Fund at Channel 4, commented: “Channel 4 has a successful and long standing relationship with Walter, Jo and Jason and we were delighted to invest in Eagle Eye and support them during their early growth stage to become the scripted powerhouse they are today. ITV Studios is a natural new home for Eagle Eye and we wish them continued success for the future.”
The announcement follows on from ITV Studios’ recent acquisition of Hartswood Films and is another milestone in ITV’s strategy of expanding its international content business. Recent years have also seen Nicola Shindler’s Quay Street Productions, Happy Prince, led by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen Studios and premium natural history and factual entertainment prodco Plimsoll Productions also join the Group.
Helion advised the shareholders of Eagle Eye and Happy Duck on the transaction.