Comedy chief Josh Cole to lead newly created fiction business with River Pictures execs

Death Valley

Cosy crime drama Death Valley was commissioned by BBC Comedy

BBC Studios comedy lead Josh Cole is to lead a newly created BBC Studios Fiction business as chief creative officer of fiction and comedy.

The moves will see BBCS Productions expand its scripted focus, with the new venture dedicated to developing original and authored stories.

Cole will lead the new BBCS Fiction as well as BBCS Comedy, which comprises a slate including BBC1 returners Death Valley and Black Ops, Apple TV+ sitcom Trying, Channel 4’s upcoming Break Clause and Prime Video’s Good Omens.

The leaders of BBCS scripted label River Pictures (Time and Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story), Michael Parke and Andrew Morrissey, are to join the unit as creative directors, bringing with them their slate of projects.

As a result of the change, two-year-old River Pictures will be shuttered.

Josh Cole

Josh Cole

BBCS director of production for drama Siân O’Callaghan will also become director of production for BBCS Fiction and BBCS Comedy, overseeing the strategic and business planning of all non-label scripted productions.

BBCS Fiction will operate out of London, Liverpool and Glasgow, sitting alongside Kate Oates-led BBC Studios Drama and scripted labels Clerkenwell Films, Firebird Pictures, Sid Gentle Films, Lookout Point, House Productions and Baby Cow.

Cole, who joined BBCS in 2019 having previously been a Sky commissioner, said: “Building BBC Studios Comedy into a home for brilliant, genre-defining voices has been a joy, and now, creating BBC Studios Fiction and joining forces with Michael and Andrew means we can take that ambition and spirit to new creative horizons. It’s an exciting moment for us.”

BBCS managing director of scripted Mark Linsey added: “This is a bold step forward for our scripted business. Under Josh’s leadership, BBC Studios Comedy has gone from strength to strength.

“BBC Studios Fiction allows us to build on that success and broaden our creative horizons. Welcoming Michael and Andrew, with their exceptional track record and compelling slate, is a fantastic boost to our ambitions.”

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