BBC Studios commercial director of scripted steps up as Sue Deeks takes reduced role
The BBC has appointed BBC Studios exec Nick Lee as its head of acquisitions.
Lee is returning to the broadcaster after over a decade to lead the team responsible for acquiring scripted and unscripted series and feature films for linear and iPlayer.
He will replace Sue Deeks who will take on a newly created three-day role as head of pre-buy acquisitions. She will focus on content bought before production has started – such as King & Conqueror.
Lee has been overseeing drama and comedy productions at BBC Studios for two years, heading up the commercial strategy and driving partnership deals and key investments in titles such as Tommy and Tuppence, Mint, 2026, and The Detection Club.
The search for his replacement at BBCS has begun, with Sharifa Mansour and Kate Woods stepping up as dual acting directors of commercial for scripted productions.
Previously, Lee spent a decade at Channel 4, becoming head of acquisitions and international in 2021 after securing major titles like The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo, The Great, and Married At First Sight Australia, while driving initiatives like True Crime on 4. Before that he worked at the BBC for four years until 2012.
The BBC’s recent acquisitions include scripted series The Narrow Road to the Deep North, The Bridge, and Colin From Accounts and natural history tentpole The Americas.
Director of iPlayer and channels Dan McGolpin said: “Nick is a highly experienced dealmaker with a keen eye for spotting compelling TV from around the world, and I’m really excited that we’ll be getting the benefit of his great energy and know-how in leading the programme acquisition team.”
Lee added: “This feels like a vocational calling for me…To be acquiring for the BBC, shaping the market with this team and working with the inimitable Sue Deeks is completely exhilarating.”
He will start his role in November, and Deeks will remain in post until then.
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