Studiocanal invests in new UK production company, Biridie Pictures

Studiocanal has made a significant investment in new U.K. production house Biridie Pictures, confirming the collaboration's first project to be based on the new novel "The Mysterious Case Of The Alperton Angels" by best-selling author, Janice Hallett.“We are delighted to announce our investment in Birdie Pictures today and in a UK producer of this calibre. Phil is an extremely talented producer with a real gift for helping to bring a writers’ vision to the screen. Phil has worked with all the U.K. broadcasters throughout his rich career and has excellent relationships with writers and talent," Francoise Guyonnet, Executive Managing Director TV Series, STUDIOCANAL said. "Phil shares Studiocanal's global ambition for projects and we know he is going to bring a strong line-up of relatable English language programming to Studiocanal to share with the international market and audiences worldwide.” 

Award-winning Founder and CEO of indie Birdie Pictures, Phil Temple brings in years worth of credits and experience as the former Executive Producer of Kudos, where he was most recently contributed to "This Town" by Steven Knight for BBC One. “Birdie will be a home where writers feel listened to, empowered and supported," Temple said. "We will make quality drama and comedy that audiences will fall in love with, and we also want to have fun doing it.” 

In correlation with Studiocanal's investment, the first project made its way straight into the Sunday Times Bestseller list in its first week of release and has received positive feedback from critics. “I am thrilled to join Studiocanal's growing group of creative production companies and very pleased to seal the deal on this truly brilliant book.  It is just the twist-laden, fiendishly clever mystery that I have been looking for, and which audiences will be mesmerized by, just like I was when I read it and couldn’t speak to anyone for two days as I raced to find out how it ended," Phil Temple said.

Hallett is the author of three best-selling novels. Receiving various recognitions for her work, she is also the former magazine editor, award-winning journalist, and government communications writer. As a playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy "NetherBard" and co-wrote the feature film "Retreat." True-crime author, Amanda Bailey, is writing a book about the Alperton Angels.  “I am beyond thrilled to be working with Phil Temple, Birdie Pictures and STUDIOCANAL to bring The Mysterious Case of The Alperton Angels to the screen," Hallet said. "Phil’s expertise in, and enthusiasm for original storytelling will deliver this vivid and surprising tale to a wide TV audience. I am so proud to be a part of his new company’s first screen project.”