SKY STUDIOS HIRES ANIL GUPTA AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF COMEDY

Sky Studios has promoted its development and production arm, Anil Gupta as Creative Director for Original Comedy in the UK. “It is an exciting time to join Sky Studios as it increases its ambition to produce more original scripted comedy,” Anil Gupta, Creative Director of Comedy at Sky Studios, said. “I can’t wait to get working with our best writers and performers, as well as uncovering the next generation of great British comedy talent. Mostly from my spare bedroom.”

Gupta’s remit to develop in-house projects complements Sky Studios’ ambition to increase investment in both in-house and commissioned comedy from the UK’s popular indie sector. Gupta will report to Jon Mountague, Sky Studios’ Director of Comedy, working closely with Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK.

 The appointment further strengthens Sky Studios’ comedy team who has had a string of original comedy hits.TThe last 12 Sky Original comedies have all debuted to an audience of over 1m on launch in the UK, and Sky has also picked up multiple BAFTA wins and nominations for its original comedy content, including Sally4Ever as winner of Scripted Comedy, 2019, "Brassi," nominated Danny Brocklehurst for Comedy Writer, 2020 and "Frayed," nominated Sarah Kendall for Female Performance in a Comedy Program.

Gupta will be responsbile for working with new and established talent to develop scripted comedy projects for Sky Studios. “Sky Original comedy has really been on a roll recently and we’re doing more! Anil’s reputation speaks for itself,” Jon Mountague, Director of Comedy at Sky Studios, said. “A unique ability to spot and nurture talent as well as his eye for a brilliant script, make him the perfect person to lead our in-house creative development."

Gupta’s credits include "Goodness Gracious Me," "The Kumars" at No. 42, Citizen Khan, and comedy-drama "Mutual Friends." As Executive Producer, he helped create global hit "The Office," for which he won two BAFTA TV Awards and was Emmy-nominated. He also wrote  modern version of "Molière’s Tartuffe" for the RSC and co-created the popular BBC Radio 4 comic fantasy series "ElvenQuest," starring Stephen Mangan.